"Jun wake up! FAST!!"
"Oh no! What time is it?"
"We still have time. Get up, fast. Get ready in 20 minutes. Mom said she'll pick us up."
"Ok. I'll be fast."
Few minutes later....................
"Dae? I'm ready. Is aunty here yet?"
"She just called. She'll be here in 5 minutes."
"Than let's head out. Let's wait in the drive way."
"Ok. Let's go."
Today is an important day for me. If I do well in today's monthly evaluation, then I'll get a chance to debut soon. Every trainee's goal is to debut. I'm no different. Yes, I'll be happy if they select me for the advanced training classes. But it's more fun and meaningful to be successful with friends than alone. I want both Jun and me to get selected to the debut group.
"Kids? Here we are."
"Dae, let's go."
"I'm scared."
"Get down from the car first."
"Yeah. Come out." Jun help Dae out the car.
"Listen here, my baby isn't like this. He's brave. He can do anything. He has that so much potential and talent. He'll do just fine. He's not scared of anything. Do you understand me honey?"
"Yes mom. I'll do my best. I won't let you down."
"No, you won't do it for me. You have to do it for yourself."
*Dae nods*
"Jun? You too. Don't let your nervousness ruin your performance. I know both you and Dae will be just fine. I trust you two. Best of luck. Now both of you come give me a hug."
"Um....mom? I'm not a kid anymore."
"But, I am. I want a hug aunty."
"Dae?"
"Ugh......Ok."
Ms. Kyung-mi gives a big hug to Dae and Jun.
"We'll get going then mom."
"Bye aunty."
"Yeah bye. Best of luck."
We head in. This building, I've been here several times. But today it kind of feels different. Was this place always this huge and bright? Yes, it's really bright. A ray of light. I was admiring this familiar yet unfamiliar place when I bumped into someone.
"Hey!!! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!!!"
I hurriedly bow to him. "I'm really sorry."
"Choi Dae-hyun? Of course it's you. Who else would be so clumsy and insolent?"
"Hey-" Dae stops Jun.
"Let's go. It's pointless arguing with him."
"Yeah run away."
I literally had to pull Jun away from the scene. Or else who know what he might do to Ethan.
"What the heck is his problem? Such an asshole."
"Calm down Jun. Let's have our breakfast first."
"Why are there so less people in the cafeteria today?"
"Who knows?" Jun shrugs.
"Good Morning ma'am."
"Oh hello, good morning, Dae-hyun."
"Do we have anything different today?"
"Well you guys have selection today right? So, just salad for breakfast. I can give you guys a veggie sandwich though. You want it?"
"Yes please." Jun replies from behind.
"Can you give just an apple?" Dae asks.
"Ok. Here. Your plate. And this is Junwoo's."
"Thank you ma'am."
"Let's go straight to practice room after this."
In the practice room...............
Dae and Jun enter the practice room.
"What's this smell? Oh of course it'll stink, after all filth just entered."
"Wha-"
"Wait. Jun, it's my problem let me handle it."
*Dae walks to Ethan*
"Ethan look, Let's leave the past events. I'm still sorry for that day and I will always be."
"Apology not accepted."
"Think about it. I'm pretty much aware that I'm the best dancer among us. And I'll assume you know this fact as well."
"Yeah but you're still still a bloody coward."
"Let me finish first. If I'm the best then you're the 2nd best dancer and the best singer here. Everyone here knows that. I'm not being overconfident because of it. It's definitely possible that other trainees do better that me today. But what if both of us end up getting selected for the debut line? Will you still behave like this?"
"All I have to do is act super friendly towards you in front of camera and nobody will know."
"Let's talk after selection, please? You never let me give an explanation."
"Ok."
"What? Really?"
"Yes. It's true that I never gave you a chance to explain that whole shit. So, let's talk. But after today's practice. After 10 p.m."
"Ok, sure.", Just then someone entered the hall.
"Everyone, gather here.", We all gather to listen to the notice.
"Ok . Everyone present? The selection will take place in few minutes. So, follow me to the venue."
Our venue was the biggest training room in the company building. It is my first time here. I felt the tension as soon as I entered the room. Way too intimidating. And our CEO is here too? I'm dead meat. I didn't even get to do last minute practice. As if seeing me getting all nervous again Jun whispered to me.
"Hey champ, don't worry, you got this buddy.", At that moment I couldn't speak. So, I just nodded. But at least his words calmed me down a bit.
"Everyone please take your seats. I'll hand out your serial cards."
I got the number "3". Not bad. Jun got "7". I guess I have to go before him. First is Yohan. He's the youngest among us, plus he's really nice and I just love his vocals. He's a good singer. I might be really good at dancing, my singing isn't that bad but I suck at rapping. Meanwhile Yohan he's an total allrounder. To be honest, I might be older than him but around him I feel like he's my older brother. I'm not so close with him, but he makes me feel one step closer to him everyday. After Yohan's performance there was another performance now it's my turn.
"Serial no. "3", Choi Dae-hyun?"
For some reason I wasn't feeling nervous anymore. Actually I was feeling a lot more confident and energetic. I glance over at Jun and he gave me a thumbs up. It was just the dance evaluation right now and they gave us the same song to perform on. The vocal evaluation will be after one and a half hour after the dance evaluation.
I take the center stage. As the music starts I just let lose. I felt like it isn't me it's the music that's controlling me. I carry out the performance with perfection, with applause from everyone including the CEO.
Just like all 17 of us finish our performance. And the person from earlier take us to another room.
"If you guys want you can take rest or practice. For today only you guys won't have any classes. you guys can go home or stay to practice. Also tomorrow the ones get selected for the advanced training classes they'll have a day off, but it's class for the others. Any questions?"
"How many members are they going to choose?"
"Not sure. Then I'll get going."
After he left I look at Jun's direction. "Jun?"
"What?"
"I still feel short of breath."
"Same here"
We both collapse on the floor for few minutes to rest.
TO BE CONTINUED ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
...----------------...
...****************...
......................
Follow me on Instagram : @winteryyyyyy_