Chapter One

Hyejin sat in her room, looking at her Wattpad profile with astonishment.

21.1K followers.

She'd never imagine this day would ever come. Just yesterday she was a girl with only 521 followers with a SEVENTEEN fanfiction she kept working on because she had a passion for both writing and SEVENTEEN. The next day, her fanfiction Highlight hit 1M views, 100K (and counting) votes and 121K comments. Followers flooded in and Hyejin must have spent her entire Saturday morning trying to check all of her notifications on Wattpad, which seemed endless.

"I can't believe," she whispered, looking at her Wattpad profile once again. Her Wattpad profile was one thing, but her fanfiction, Highlight, being published as a real book was another thing.

She remembered just this morning when she received an e-mail. At first, she thought it was a hoax and ignored it at first. But a real publishing company in Seoul had contacted her home and now her book was in process of being published and sold all throughout South Korea.

"This has got to be a dream come true," Hyejin said, talking to herself alone in her room. She has always dreamed about succeeding but she never had never imagined it really happening. This was all too overwhelming for her to handle.

Tomorrow, she would be meeting with an editor from Waenji Publishing Company to edit her book right before it'd be sent to be confirmed and finally, Hyejin's favourite part of the entire process, it will be published and sent to bookstores, supermarkets and literally anywhere.

Hyejin wasn't sure if she would be able to fall asleep tonight. She was both excited and nervous for tomorrow's event. But she thought that if she didn't have enough sleep, she wouldn't be able to edit properly tomorrow.

Forcing her mind to go to rest, she finally shut down her laptop and hopped into bed after switching the lights off. Pulling the covers up, she tried to get some decent sleep though her mind found it hard to rest when she was really excited and nervous for tomorrow.

+ + +

When morning came, she was already awake before her alarm. She didn't get up just yet. She was waiting for her alarm to go off. But when she checked the time, there was still an hour or more until her alarm would go off.

Why am I up so early? I must be really excited... or nervous.

Either way, Hyejin wouldn't be needed at the company until nine in the morning. It was only six when she last checked the time. She didn't have anything better to do, but she couldn't fall back asleep and she knew that.

Without any other motive, she just went to get ready early. The rest of the time, she will spend on Wattpad, interacting with her lovely fans who has made everything happen.

@hwan_ji has logged into Wattpad.

@hwan_ji: Thank you so much, everyone, for supporting my fanfiction Highlight! It's going to be a published book real soon and I'm really happy about it! I'd like to thank my English translator @boobear for helping me make it famous with the international fans! Thank you so much for the love for me, as well! I can't stop thanking you guys. I love you! Have a lovely day or night, wherever you are!

Replies starting coming seconds later.

@shinningcloud: we love you too!

@parkbogumlove: oMG!! CONGRATSSSS!

@skinnyeyeliner: i'm definitely going to buy that book! i love you!

Hyejin still couldn't believe the love she's been receiving. She still couldn't get used to all the attention she's been receiving from people of different ages, genders and nationality. She was basically the most well known SEVENTEEN fanfiction author on Wattpad—maybe even in the entire Carat fandom.

She still remembers all those old days when she had no more than two readers reading her story, Highlight. Despite the lack of support, she worked really hard on each chapter. She constructed the words perfectly until it made sense. She thought about each chapter beforehand, wondering which would have caught the attention of readers so they would keep reading on.

Those days when those two readers wouldn't be there, when weeks passed and there were still no supports, she would feel discouraged. She often thought about discontinuing the story but every time she watched a video of SEVENTEEN, it lead her to continuing her story with passion.

Lee Chan was her bias. Or, now that he has debuted, Dino. He was older than her by two years, and she didn't feel that much of an age gap compared to the other members. Which was probably why she fell for him and why he was her bias among all the SEVENTEEN members.

Of course, that's until the bias wreckers take a toll, she thought, snickering under her breath.

She had nothing else to do on Wattpad so she moved on to YouTube to watch a few videos of SEVENTEEN. She began watching their backstage videos and other funny clips. Every time Dino would come into the camera—even if it was only for a few minutes—she'd have that silly smile on her face as she continued to stare at his face.

But she knew how the story was supposed to go in reality. If it was fanfiction, then anything could happen. An idol could fall in love with their fan girl in a fanfiction. After all, that's why they call it fanfiction, right? A fan's fictional world.

In reality, the idols would know of your presence and the things you do for them but they'd never feel that attraction they would in fanfiction. The idols wouldn't want to know as much about you because their status and your status are completely different.

An idol belonged not only to you, but to their entertainment, their parents and the entire fandom. They had more than just one fan girl out there writing fanfictions about them. Even if they'd know of you, that was the end. They'd know your name and over time, they'd eventually forget of your existence.

That was how reality goes.

Before Hyejin knew it, it was already time to leave to get to Waenji Publishing Company to finally meet her editor throughout the entire process. Hyejin wasn't really good with interacting with strangers, especially adults, so she has no idea how it will end up.

Hyejin always convinced herself there was an easier way to earn money. She always thought writing—while being locked in her room—about boys she idolized and love would get her somewhere, but her mom was always crushing her dreams.

"You should exercise, study or do chores instead of just sitting in front of that laptop all day."

Although, Hyejin was indifferent about her mother's suggestions. She knew what she wanted to do in life. She was so sure. Now that her dreams are finally coming true, her mom had no say in her being locked in her room all day writing sappy fanfictions about her idols.

On the way to Waenji Publishing Company, Hyejin was absorbed in the music playing from her earpieces. SEVENTEEN albums were lined up in her playlist as she slowly arrived at the company.

It was tall and definitely scaring her. She didn't know how to properly talk to strangers because she somehow had a fear of them. She didn't like talking to people she didn't know, especially when they were adults.

Luckily, for her, her dad was accompanying her as they entered.

A lady approached them with a friendly smile as she asked, "Are you Hwan Hyejin?"

Hyejin looked up and nodded nervously. She didn't find the right words to say so she kept quiet.

The lady smiled and extended a hand out. "I'm Jang Soojin. I'm the editor that will help you edit your book, Highlight. If I remember correctly, that's your SEVENTEEN fanfiction made famous on Wattpad, am I right?"

Hyejin nodded back without saying anything.

Ms. Jang turned to Hyejin's dad and gave him a friendly smile as she told him, "I will need to take Hyejin to the fourth floor, where we will be editing her story. This may take a long time, so it would be best if you left her here until she calls you back. Will that be fine, Mr. Hwan?"

Hyejin's dad smiled in response as he nodded. "Ah, yes, yes, that would be fine." Turning to Hyejin, he told her, "Do well, okay? Have fun! I'll be in the Internet cafe nearby."

"Okay," Hyejin answered, giving her dad a wave.

Ms. Jang pointed towards the elevator nearby. "Let's go to the fourth floor, Hyejin. Are you excited to edit your very first published story?"

Hyejin nodded in response as she followed Ms. Jang into the elevator.

"Not much of a talker?" she asked as she leaned against the wall of the elevator.

"I'm not good with strangers," answered Hyejin as she looked around the elevator, avoiding Ms. Jang's eyes.

"Well, I won't be a stranger for long. We're going to spend long hours together, Hwan Hyejin. Editing takes time and there are deadlines to meet and processes that will be really new to you. This won't be anything like you in your room writing on Wattpad," Ms. Jang told her in a friendly voice.

"I know that," Hyejin answered in a soft whisper. "Just really nervous. It's my first time."

Ms. Jang smiled back at her. "Don't worry. In this big company, I'll be the one you'll be able to trust. After your book gets published, that's just the first milestone. I can already see how famous you are on Wattpad."

With 21.1K followers, Hyejin thought in her head.

The elevator finally stopped and the doors opened and revealed a big work space with different adults working on different things.

"This floor is where we work on editing books and their covers," Ms. Jang explained as they stepped out of the elevator. She brought Hyejin over to an empty work space with a computer present and two swivel chairs. "This is where we'll be working."

Right on the monitor of the computer was the first chapter of her story, Highlight. This was real, she thought. And it no longer was her alone in her room working all day and night to think of a good chapter to publish for her readers on Wattpad to read.

Ms. Jang first took a seat on her chair and turned to look at Hyejin with a smile. Patting on the empty swivel chair next to her, she said, "Well, Hwan Hyejin, time to get to work."

+ + +

Editing was never a favourite for Hyejin. Every time she wanted to post a chapter, she would always had to edit before she could, or she would die from mortification whenever she saw a mistake in the chapter.

Still, it didn't took as much time to edit at least half of the book. It was a little after lunch time by the time they finished the chapter they were editing.

Ms. Jang pulled away from the computer and let out a relieved sigh. She looked at Hyejin and asked, "Would you like to get something to eat? It is lunch time, after all."

Hyejin has been starving ever since they started editing chapter twelve of her book. She weakly nodded, as a result for being hungry for so long.

Ms. Jang picked up her pink purse bag and asked Hyejin as they made their way to the elevator, "What would you like to eat, Hyejin?"

Hyejin gave it a thought until she answered, "Samgyeopsal."

Ms. Jang looked at Hyejin with an amused face. "Samgyeopsal?"

Hyejin nodded back as she looked at her phone. She didn't mean to appear rude; she was just really nervous and shy. Though she could feel herself warming up and getting used to Ms. Jang's presence.

Her Wattpad notifications were blowing up once again and she had just gained two hundred more followers in a matter of hours. A bunch of inline comments were left on her story, Highlight and other messages from different users were left on her notice board. They were mostly praising her for her amazing fanfiction and congratulating her for publishing such an amazing story.

Hyejin felt the corner of her lips rise until it formed a smile.

Ms. Jang peered over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of what she was doing. She asked her, "Receiving love on Wattpad?"

Hyejin remembered of her existence and slowly pulled her phone down to her side. "Um, yes?"

Ms. Jang let out a light laugh as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You're acting uneasy, Hwan Hyejin. Are you still not used to my presence? Are you still awkward with me?"

Hyejin didn't want to appear rude so she shook her head.

"Then... are you still shy around me?" Ms. Jang queried.

Hyejin couldn't help but nod at her question.

"Don't be, Hyejin. I'm going to be sticking around you for quite some time now," said Ms. Jang.

Hyejin curiously turned her head to face Ms. Jang, wondering what she could be implying to.

Ms. Jang had a sweet smile on her face as she happily told Hyejin, "Once your book gets published, you're going to get even more famous. People on Wattpad don't know your face but the moment you publish that story of yours, the entire nation of South Korea would know your name. And face, if there ever comes a time you would have a fan meeting with your fans."

Woah, like an idol? Hyejin wondered in her mind, thinking about all the possibilities. But she had a slight fear of being the center of attention. She didn't like having that many eyes watching her. She was thankful, but slightly scared. But with determination, she was up for it.

Ms. Jang took Hyejin to the nearest samgyeopsal restaurant near the company and finally, the two replenished their energy with a hearty and delicious meal.

"Hyejin, you know that once your book gets published and sold to stores, I would also be known as your manager?" Ms. Jang told her.

Hyejin paused from eating her wrap as she looked up and met Ms. Jang's eyes. "Nae? My manager?"

"Yeah," she answered with a smile. "You'll be famous. I know you won't really need a manager but from time to time, you might have fan meetings. Won't you like that?"

"That sounds cool but..." Fan meetings? For her and her fans? She didn't even know what majority of her fans looked like. Most of them aged from eleven to sixteen. Would there be guys? Probably not. She hasn't seen a soul of a guy reading her works before. "I don't know."

"You don't want a fan meeting?" Ms. Jang asked, eating up some rice as she raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know," Hyejin repeated as she fiddled with her chopsticks. "I've watched fan meetings of SEVENTEEN before but they have each other. Members. I'd be alone, wouldn't it be awkward? Won't people be bored of me by then?"

Ms. Jang looked at her with amazement. "Afraid to take the center stage?"

Hyejin shyly nodded in response.

"Don't be," Ms. Jang advised, "it won't be much. You'll just be signing their books for them. It won't be like the ones you watch. You must really like SEVENTEEN, huh?"

Hyejin couldn't help but break into a grin. "A lot! I used to love EXO a lot but now I love SEVENTEEN. Don't get me wrong, I still love EXO. They're also my stan group but I love SEVENTEEN the most."

"That's why you wrote a fanfiction about them?" Ms. Jang teased.

"Maybe," Hyejin answered vaguely.

"I like the plot of your story, Hwan Hyejin."

"It's not that unique, really," said Hyejin.

"Especially that chapter near the end," Ms. Jang continued. "I read it to review it and I honestly teared up."

Hyejin eased up a smile as she said, "Thank you. Do you think SEVENTEEN would hear about my story?"

"It's going to be the talk of the town," Ms. Jang replied, "I don't see why they won't. Especially that member you wrote about. What was his name again?"

"Dino," Hyejin answered, her head lowering as she smiled secretly to herself.

"Isn't he an oppa for you, then?" Ms. Jang continued to tease.

"He is," Hyejin answered, "but I can't find myself calling him oppa. He just always act... younger than me."

Ms. Jang grinned as she asked, "Do you like him?"

"What?" Hyejin was caught off-guard for a moment there. "Of course I do. He's my bias in SEVENTEEN."

"Oh." Ms. Jang was holding a smile Hyejin didn't understand, though. "I thought you'd really love him."

"What do you mean?"

"Some fan girls just have different type of love. You know, crazy love. Some have sincere love. Others just have it neutral," explained Ms. Jang. "I thought you'd know better?"

"I never really thought about it that way..." Hyejin confessed, her phone suddenly having a familiar ringtone. She fished it out of her pocket and felt her eyes widen almost immediately. There was going to be a V live of SEVENTEEN that would start in about a few minutes. 

Ms. Jang noticed her widened eyes then worriedly asked her, "Is everything okay?"

"More than okay!" Hyejin accidentally shouted and covered her mouth, lightly apologizing. "SEVENTEEN has a V live right now. I want to watch it but we have work to do."

"Go ahead," Ms. Jang insisted.

Hyejin blinked at her. "Don't we have to finish editing?"

"It's still early out. I think we can spare a few more minutes for you to watch SEVENTEEN," Ms. Jang told her.

"But this is an hour long's V live," Hyejin informed her.

Ms. Jang was surprised at how long they would be having their V live and quickly apologized, "We can only spare a few minutes, Hyejin. I'm sorry."

Hyejin was slightly devastated but she appeared unfazed. The prices she had to pay just to let her dream come true. "It's okay, Ms. Jang. We can hurry up and go to finish up. I can watch the replay later."

"Once you have this book published, he'll know your name."

Hyejin paused. "What?"

Ms. Jang smiled. "This book will not only make you famous, but SEVENTEEN as well. Not to mention the main character of the book—Dino. When they notice their popularity is rising due to a certain book, they'd start to be curious about the girl who wrote it. And that's when he'll finally know your name."

~Author's Notes~

Yay, the first chapter is done and written! I hope you'll come to enjoy this story! I'm excited for how this story will progress, hehe! :)

Show support by voting, leaving comments and sharing it with your Wattpad friends! Thank you and I love you!

✿CAST✿

Jin Ji-hee as Hwan Hyejin

Nam Dareum as Cho Dae Jung

SEVENTEEN as Themselves 

Park Boyoung as Jang Soojin