Sarah holds my hand tightly as we walk towards the entrance of the airport.

My flight is in 3 hours. I'm excited but mostly sad. Sarah cried all the way to the airport. I did shed a few tears with her. She's happy for me but she's gonna miss me. I'm gonna miss her as well. She's basically my sister. It's gonna be hard initially not having her at my side most of the time.

My mum hasn't shown any sadness since. She's very excited. I'm starting to think she just wants me gone.

My dad isn't exactly happy about the whole arrangement but he can't do anything about it. He's been mostly silent.

My brother is mostly happy for me. He's been of great help in getting me ready for the journey. I said goodbye to his friends last night. They took me out during the day to a fun fair. It was really fun. Then at the end of the day they squeezed me in hugs and said their goodbyes.

After I check in my ticket, means of identification and other essentials, I turn to my family. My mum pulls me into a tight hug.

"I love you so much. You've made me so proud." She pulls away and holds my hands "you've always been a source of joy to me. I'm blessed to have a daughter like you. I'm excited for this new journey of your life but I won't lie I'm going to miss you. I'll call you everyday okay?"

"Okay" I nod as few tears escape my eyes.

My father hugs me next "bye my little star"

"Big star" my mum corrects

"My big star. I believe you'll go there and make us proud. I love you very much. I'm worried about you going to a strange land with no family or friends but I think you can handle yourself. If you need help with anything, I mean anything please let us know immediately. "

"Eat well too, exercise, meet friends, don't be depressed, alright " my mum adds

"Okay "

My brother hugs me next "I'm still surprised you're leaving. Leaving me with this koala" he says referring to Sarah. She has an attribute of clinging to him.

I smile a bit. "Take care of her "

"I'm not promising anything." He says "I know it won't be easy to achieve your dream but persevere to the end. I know my sister , she's a fighter. "

"You think too highly of me" I shake my head with a little smile " but thank you"

"That's enough" my best friend drags me away from him and the rest of my family further away from them.

"What?" I notice her suspicious behaviour.

"Look, I'm sad you're going but I'll get over it. When you get there don't cry.

"I can't promise that"

"Okay whatever " she waves her hand dismissively" I want to see you on tv okay. I'll let everyone know my best friend is a celebrity "

"Girl chill, I've not trained yet"

"Do I look like I care?" She points at her straight face "also, I want to know every detail. I'll bug you for it. "

I roll my eyes

"Now unto the main stuff" I lift a curious brow.

"You had better meet a nice guy there. Put you Korean fetish to use atleast."

"What Korean fetish " my eyes widen in shock "I don't have a Korean fetish. What are you saying "

"That's a lie. Since you started stanning straykids you've not had feelings for anyone."

I remain quiet

"I'm not lying right" she stares at me for an answer

"I've liked someone"

"So why didn't you tell me?"

"Is this the place and time for this Sarah ?" I ask

"Who is it?" She ignores me

"It's Yomi" her eyes widen like saucers as she excitedly closes her agape mouth with her hand

"Player Yomi" she asks

I nod in confirmation

"But you said you don't like his personality"

"We'll talk later about that. Now let's hug. My parents are starting to look annoyed " she immediately hugs me

After saying my final goodbye, I meet the JYPE personnel shortly after in the waiting area.

After a long wait my flight is announced . I message my mum and Sarah from the plane before take off.

***

After the long journey, I arrive the airport properly jet lagged. The staff leads me to a car. I arrive at a massive hotel, she checks me into a nice room and tells me to rest . She says she'll be back tomorrow.

I thank her and finally do a belly flop on the bed. My muscles cool down as I lay there for some minutes. I order food, I order simple fried rice with chicken and a drink. The food arrives a few minutes later.

As I try to pay I'm told all meals I order have been paid for. I smile at that. I eat, watch tv, chat with Sarah because she wasn't joking about knowing all the details. I finally sleep.

The next morning I wake up still feeling quite tired. I laze around, order food and shower. My mum tells me to take pictures of the room. I do a little photoshoot and send some pics to Sarah. She immediately calls me.

"Girl what are you still doing in your room?"

"I'm tired"

"Tired of what?" She says "get out of your room and look around. I googled the hotel you're in and it's a really nice hotel, just look around, go to the pool area, restaurant for lunch... just something"

I sigh at her extroverted idea "girl I don't know anyone here"

"So? Now stand up and go out"

Too tired to even argue I talk to her as I change into a hoodie and jeans, I wear some fluffy flipflops the JYPE staff bought for me as a gift yesterday at the airport. I plaited my hair into some cornrows before leaving Nigeria. I've been wearing wigs since but I'm too tired to bother with one now.

Still on the phone with Sarah I wear my airpods and walk to the reception, I ask the receptionist about the pool area. She mentions there is also a movie theatre, karaoke ,gym, games room and the Intercontinental restaurant.

I make a mental note to watch a movie at the theatre this evening. I head down to the restaurant to eat. On getting there, I'm informed that all my bills have been taken care so in other words free food.

I order something random from the menu but it turns out being nice. Sitting at my table I notice different types of people sitted in the restaurant, different attires from different countries, different races. It's my first time seeing so much diversity in a room.

I travel abroad once in every three years to visit my grandma in Australia. She lives with my uncle and his family. I have never witnessed this much diversity before. I take out my phone and take a few pictures.

After my meal I exit the restaurant and walk towards the pool area to chill.

As I'm about to walk towards the indoors underground pool my phone rings out. Due to the sudden noise, passer-bys turn towards me. I scrabble to pick the call in my awkwardness.

It's the JYP staff, she tells me she's at my room door. I immediately tell her I'm on my way back to the room.

I see her resting on the wall by the door.

"Good afternoon, Mabel" I greet the middle aged Korean woman.

"Hello Liliana. How was your night?"

"Great! Yours?" I reply while I slide my key card to open the door.

I invite her into the room. She sits on the couch. "You'll be coming to the company tomorrow morning. Your accommodation and training would be informed to you. Your training is a bit different from other trainees"

"Is it because I'm a foreigner" I ask

"No" she shakes her head " there are quite a number of foreign trainees at JYP entertainment. Don't bother overthinking it. "

"Ok" I agree sceptically

I just hope nothing is wrong. Mabel spends little more time with me. She takes me to games room. We play a few games. When I get exhausted, she calls it a day and leaves.

I spend the rest of the day in my room watching kdramas.

**
Song recommendation for the chapter

Kazino - Bibi