You never belonged to the popular crowd.
Your group of friends was… normal. Not irrelevant, not unpopular—just average. You minded your business, did your homework, laughed during lunch, and sometimes stayed after school for absolutely no reason other than procrastinating real life.
And then there were them.
The eight boys.
Stray Kids.
Everyone knew who they were. The most popular, the most admired, the most intimidating. They were attractive—not that anyone needed to point it out, it was obvious the moment they walked down the hall. They didn’t bully people or stir up drama, but if someone pushed them, challenged them, or even looked at them the wrong way… they didn’t hesitate to fight back.
They kept to themselves, like a pack—almost untouchable, almost unreal.
And the leader?
Bang Chan.
Considered the most handsome boy in the entire school. It wasn’t just a rumor; everyone literally voted. A schoolwide sheet where every girl picked the most handsome boy. Chan won by a landslide, of course. Even girls who had crushes on other guys ended up circling his name because “Come on, it’s Chan.”
You didn’t vote. Not because he wasn’t handsome—but because you didn’t play that game.
And he surely didn’t know you existed.
At least, that’s what you thought.
The last day before Christmas break, the school gym transformed into a giant, decorated winter dance. Lights hung from the ceiling, music pulsed through the air, and the space was so crowded it felt like the whole city squeezed inside.
You were there with your friends, laughing, trying not to spill your drink, trying not to slip on the cheap fake snow taped to the floor. Everything was normal… until suddenly it wasn’t.
One by one, each of the Stray Kids boys walked up to one of your friends—Changbin, Han, Minho, Hyunjin, Jeongin, Felix, Seungmin—and offered their hand.
And one by one, your friends accepted, stunned and blushing as they were led to the dance floor.
Leaving you.
Alone.
Not that you minded. Maybe you even preferred it.
You leaned against the gym wall, the lights flickering in streaks of blue and white, sipping your Monster and enjoying the view of your friends being swept away into pure chaos. It was strangely peaceful—just you, your drink, and the sound of Christmas remixes shaking the room.
Then you felt someone approaching.
You didn’t look at first. Probably someone bumping into you. Or coming to complain about the drink you weren’t technically supposed to have inside the gym.
But then you heard a voice.
“Hey… mind if I join you?”
You froze.
Bang Chan.
Bang Chan was standing in front of you. Hands in his pockets. Slight smile. No sign that anyone forced him, no smirk, no dare from his friends.
Just him.
Looking at you.
You blinked, confused, because this absolutely had to be a prank. Maybe Hyunjin dared him. Maybe his friends were filming. Maybe—
But then Chan tilted his head slightly, studying your face with that calm confidence he always had, and asked quietly:
“…Would you like to dance with me?”
Your heart stopped.
You stared at him, Monster can halfway to your lips, eyes wide, brain not processing anything correctly. He laughed softly—not mocking, not teasing, just amused at your surprise.
“I won’t bite,” he added. “Promise.”
He extended his hand.
Steady. Waiting for yours.