CH.8 ♕ 082007

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08122007 AT 06:53 AM  //  No one

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"What the hell are you doing here?"

A familiar, earthy scent suddenly filled her senses and she felt like she couldn't breath. A brow arched up, though her eyes were firmly closed, as if to say 'what is your business here?' when she realized that this wasn't her teritory after all, that it was her who was disturbing what otherwise would be the peaceful vocal department of the company.

"Hey," the same voice repeated, this time more persistent and with an extra flick on the forehead. Finally, she was forced to open her eyes. The cobalt shade of the staircase along with grey sweatpants and a red duffle met her vision. Looking up, her eyes met with those of her best friend's, or whatever the right word to describe him may be.

'What,' she wanted to say, 'do you want?' But he would have said something equally sarcastic back, and she was in no mood. Instead she greeted her with a nod of her head and a soft, "Woohyun."

He grinned and took a seat on her left on the staircase, his arm instinctively finding its way around her shoulder. "Sunyoung, baby, what are you doing here?"  

She slipped away briskly, sliding to her right as he shruged it off, and irritation filled her to the brim because she didn't even want to be there in the first place. Cocky as it may sound, being in any training department felt mundane and just threw her entire schedule off. She was so used to being in the recording studio battling for the exclusion of autotune in any and all of Goddess's songs or at the private dance practice rooms reserved for just trainees in the debut batch that being told to go down to the vocal department to work on her voice caught Sunyoung way off guard.

She glared, off to nowehere. "I was sent here to work on my singing. Can you believe that? And the others are off, so the unfair factor just doubles."

His nose crinkled and he leaned forward so that his elbows were resting on his joined knees. "Honestly? No. You've got, what, three months before your debut? They're doing things really late."

Despite herself, Sunyoung couldn't help but grin and did the same. "I've actually been avoiding coming down here because I've heard the exercises you guys do from Yoonkyung and Minji and it sounds like torture. I'm only down here now because sajangnim wants me to get at least a bit of vocal training in case the topic of whether all of us are able to sing come up."

"It sounds probable," he replied, "But you should really be beating yourself up for not coming down sooner. Sungyeol's been telling me that you guys have your first run through at Jamsil this weekend?"

She nodded, huffing. "Yeah, this Saturday. Who told him that?"

He shrugged. "One of you guys."

She glared at him. "I mean, obviously. But in all seriousness, it's really going to because not everyone on the lineup isn't going to be there so we can't even estimate the approximate time it's going to last."

"Who's on the lineup anyway?"

She thought about that for a second, still quite in disbelief at the amazing lineup they had. Above all, it had amazed her that such seniors could make time to perform for their juniors' sake, but she wasn't complaining. Anyhow, it was much too good to be true. None of their schedules perfectly lined up to that of the actual rehearsals held at Jamsil, so it was going to be difficult to account for them all.

"Epik High, Nell, and Ji Sun. It'll sort of be like a mini SMTown except for the fact that sajangnim isn't a little priss," she replied.

He snickered. "There's a reason why I didn't audition for SM and that's because I can't bag any biddies there with those deathly contracts."

She glared at him, a sour expression on her face. Pinching his thigh, she said, "You are so concieted and, as a matter of fact, wrong because you can't even name one you've bagged here."

"Well, I'm almost there with you, aren't I?" He shoved her hand away and briefly wincing before his lips turned up to a smirk, and he slowly made attempts to bring his arm over her shoulders once more, which she didn't even try blocking and only frowned at.

"You can try all you want but, Nam, you won't ever get there."

With that, she took hold of her own duffle bag, stood up, and walked up the stairs, leaving a grinning Woohyun in her dust.

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08122007 AT 09:34 AM

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Yoonkyung felt herself almost drop the cup of coffee in her hands as the female duo glanced around the ginormous stadium in awe. She and Kaseul—with Minji, on house or company arrest, stating she was staying at home for a bit before heading off to the company to practice stuff when everyone knew she was out doing who knows what—decided to have a field trip day of their own and visit the venue of their showcase just to see what they were up against. Who knew Jamsil Stadium was so big? And they were supposed to perform here?

"This is ridiculous," Yoonkyung breathed.

Kaeseul nodded in reply. "Can this stadium really only seat three thousand people? It seems so much bigger than that!"

Yoonkyung considered this. It was true to an extent, but they had to remember that the stage would also have to be set up along with seating arrangements and such.

"It's crazy," Kaeseul continued, "that were actually going to be performing here. We're nothing more than a bunch of children who are going to be hiding behind a face of makeup and costumes and it's so wild to even think about, but now that we're actually here? It just feels like everything is finally falling into place."

Gathering her purse, Yoonkyung took a seat on the floor of the stadium, patting the space beside her for Kaeseul to follow suit. "Honestly," she whispered, "I'm not going to let myself believe it until we're actually in the moment, performing to our hearts' limits because you're right. We are just children and children tend to believe things only when it'r right in front of them."

Both were silent for a few lingering seconds."This business really scares me," Kaeseul finally declared. "I'm scared that I'm not going to be strong enough to handle the stress, I'm scared that we're all going to be exploited at such young ages, I'm just ... scared."

Smiling, Yoonkyung patted the younger's shoulder. "It's all a matter of maturing quicker than those regular girls the same age as us. Fear will forever linger and creep into our minds like the world's stealthiest spy, but fear is also a mere state of mind. It will only affect you as much as you let it. If you face it head on, it'll disappear, but if you let it remain burried in the back of your mind it will come back to haunt you. We just have to be strong and continue head on into our futures." 

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08122007 AT 10:52 PM 

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Minji ducked behind Sungyeol as they passed another bunch of people. She squeezed the hand situated on his upper arm to grab his attention. He glanced down at her and leaned forward to hear what she had to say. "What?" he whispered.

She scrunched her nose and brought her thumb to and bit down. "I'm not supposed to be outside," she whispered back, and poked his chest hard for emphasis. "Especially not with a guy. What if people see us and it gets out or—"

Before she could finish, Sungyeol brought his hand up to her hair and ruffled it. "Relax," he said with a smile, and her heart did a little bumpity-bump-bump. "We came here for you to relieve stress so don't even think about being an idol or performing at Jamsil or being anyone else but the Lee Minji I knew before Goddess. Plus, not to burst your bubble or anything, no one knows you."

"But—"

He took her wrist and dragged her towards the ticket booth. "Nope. All of your arguments are invalid."

Minji whined. "But seriously! Ex-sajangnim and present-sajangnim are gonna get so mad at me for being out hours before they release my teaser. And you're skipping today. Tell me they're not gonna get mad at you."

"Calm down, Ji," he muttered so softly to the point that she could barely hear him as they halted behind a couple waiting with their baby on line. He grinned. "Plus I'm taking you here for free. What more could you ask for?"

Right then, the baby decided it was time for its scheduled cry, and it bawled. Hard. His mother hushed him, bobbing up and down in an attempt to soothe his tired soul. Minji bit her lip, and her next words came out in a jumble and she was unable to stop herself. "I could ask for you to take me somewhere with no babies next time."

He gave her a glance behind his shoulder, brows slightly furrowed. Shuffling back and forth on his feet, he threw her a questioning stare. "Does that mean there's gonna be a next time?" he finally breathed out, eyes lighting up with excitement, "That we'll be out together like this, I mean."

She could hear her heart thumping in her chest and concentrated on trying to reduce her heart rate, breathing deep and steady while focusing her gaze on his eyes.

"I," she began to say until the couple in front of them moved forward. Taking her chance for a distraction, she made her way forward in front of him. She was half hoping he didn't hear the thumping of her heart like she did and half hoping he would leave her alone and go his seperate way because nothing could be more awkward than a sixteen year-old trying to dodge her feelings when the object of her feelings was staring at right at her.

Sadly, neither happened. Instead he reached forward and took her hand, gently wrapping his fingers around hers. Minji gasped and he froze, as if suddenly realizing what he had done and immediately withdrew his hand. Clearing his throat, he walked forward so that he was beside her. Minji's face flared and bit her lip as he looked away.

"I cannot wait to ride The Conquistador," she stated, attempting to erase the awkwardness still lingering between them. "I heard it was the best thing here."

He gave her a grin, and she couldn't help but think to herself that this is what she loved about him; the fact that he could play along with whatever she had in mind and could make any situation light again with just one smile blew her mind. "You and I gotta sit at the ends because those areas rise higher than the middle, alright? No backing out, Lee Minji!"

She scowled. "What are you talking about, child? If anything, I should be telling you that you can't back out!" 

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08122007 AT 10:33 PM // Kim Sunggyu

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Turning the lights off to our room, I jumped into bed, Woohyun grunting in protest on the bed beside mine at the sudden movement. Smirking, I flipped over loudly so that my back was to him, my grin widening when he snarled. I sighed in content, and inwardly groaned of pleasure as I snuggled into the comfortable mattress. But just as I began to drift off to a sweet, much-needed slumber, my phone let out a spasm of vibrations.

I cringed at the bright light, my eyes growing smaller to adjust to the sudden brightness of the screen, as I read the text message.

From: Yoonkyung

still at the company. i swear, they have us chained here. can you believe it?

From: Yoonkyung

btw tomorrow you and your little posse are treating us to pizza. don't tell any of the sunbaes. thanks xx

From: Yoonkyung

and daeryung oppa got the stuff if you're still up for it tomorrow

From: Sunggyu

You text way too much for your own good. Here's a good idea: compile everything you have to say into one message. And no thanks. I'd rather not get in trouble with your dietricians or whatever. If you're gonna get pizza get it yourselves, lazyass. We're not servants.

From: Sunggyu

I don't think it's a good idea by the w

My cell phone flew out of my hands when a pillow knocked the air out of me. Glaring up at the only person who could have thrown it, I sneered. "What do you want, Woohyun?"

He sneered back and took his pillow away from my hands. "If you're gonna text your little girlfriend, text her tomorrow. I need my sleep, dammit."

"My little girlfriend, what—Yoonkyung isn't my girlfriend, . What are you implying?"

He rolled over so that he was on his back, pillow nestled in his arms and eyes shut. "Clearly I don't even need to imply anything because you being defensive just proves everything."

I reached over and shoved him, earning a glare, before reaching over to grab my fallen phone and finishing the text.

She isn't my girlfriend, I mused, my brows bunching up in the middle. Girl (space) friend, sure, but girlfriend? I shook my head. No, not Yoonkyung. Too much history to even consider. Besides, I highly doubt she'd even consider it either, so why should I? We're in this business to fulfill dreams and make money, not find love. There would be more time for that in the future. Someone as incompetent as Nam Woohyun wouldn't convince me otherwise.

"Goodnight," I muttered gruffly, ignoring the continuous vibrations indicating numerous new messagse and throwing my phone to the other side of the room.

From: Yoonkyung

here's an idea for you: mind yor own business. :-) and alright

From: Yoonkyung

remember, you're responsible for me, mr. "i'm two days older and, yes, two days is a lot"

From: Yoonkyung

okay?

From: Yoonkyung

hello?

From: Yoonkyung

okay, i'll see you then i guess

From: Yoonkyung

goodnight!

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08122007 AT 11:53 PM // Shin Kaeseul

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Minji yawned for the third time that hour, gathering Yoonkyung's attention. The older grinned. "What did you do to make you so tired, kid?" Minji's eyes signaled something, a secretive one that told Yoonkyung to shut the hell up before she revealed something that'll get Minji into trouble.

'Lotte,' Minji nevertheless mouthed.

Yoonkyung's grin widened, but she nodded in understanding. Ah, teamwork.

"I was dancing the whole day. Been trynna get that swish-swish motion in the chorus exactly the way I want it," Minji fibbed, badly at that, because we all knew she never stayed at the dance practice room more than the time she needed to. It was sucha bad fib that it caused chuckle from Sunyoung. 

"You're only like four years older than her," I interjected as a diversion because the sunbaes glanced at our group, Sunyoung in particular, suspiciously.

"That just makes me four years wiser," Yoonkyung retorted. "And taller, still."

I pouted. "That just makes me think you're indirectly trying to make fun of me."

"Knock it off, kids, respect me and stop talking because we aren't here to discuss who's wiser or taller because we all know those are adjectives that fall under Tablo." We all just stared at Tablo-sshi, who had a cocky grin of his own. Is it even possible to be so conceited?

Jooyoung-sajangnim cleared his throat at the head of the table. "Well, as I was saying," he began, giving Tablo-sshi his own disbelieving stare, "We have a few minutes before midnight. Does anyone have any questions?"

"I was talking to this girl the other day and heard that apparently long showers after a performance were a big part to being an idol. True or untrue?" Minji looked up at him with curious eyes.

"Untrue," Tablo-sshi concluded, "I usually just crash as soon as I get home from a performance."

"But you seem to forget the fact that they're girls and you're a pig of a man," Jooyoung-sajangnim interrupted, iliciting a laugh from us all at the fuming Tablo. "Yes, I suppose so," he said to us, "Depending on what the stylists do to your hair and makeup and such."

Minji nodded at this, looking a bit down. "The costumes are bad enough," she whined. "I mean, gold sequins. Gold sequins." 

"Gold sequins," Sunyoung repeated with a shudder. "Why gold out of all the other fabrics and accesories."

Honestly, I don't see what's so wrong about it. A flash of my debut showcase Madonna outfit appeared in my mind. The gold fabric and sequins and tulle; I loved it. But then again, I really wanted to follow the rules, and the rules matter more than my opinions anyway. Maybe that's the reason why I got the most extravagant costumes and ridiculous heels. And the hair, oh, Lord, the hair. It's chestnut brown. Never in my life did I ever think it'd be this shade. 

"This part of old Hollywood rocks," Yoonkyung muttered, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

Nodding in agreement, Sunyoung asked, "We definitely have jurisdiction over our next concept, correct? And musical control also?"

Tablo made a face. "Well, Epik High, Woollim producers, and Brave Brothers are actually in the midst of producing your newest single."

"Whilst in the midst of producing your own album? Isn't that a bit overwhelming?"

Tablo gave me a smile. "Yes, whilst doing that. It's nothing, though," he added, seeing my worried expression, "because we're all used to it." He looked over the whole four of us, and he smiled, a kind smile that showed extreme love and possibly even gratitude. "You lot are like my own kids and I think I'd do just about anything for you."

"Would you buy me a villa in Jeju?"

He gave Sunyoung a feigned stern look, at which she grinned at. "Don't push it, kid."

Jeongyeop-sshi looked up from the laptop settled in front of him and signaled for our attention. "Gather 'round, it's a minute to midnight. Time to post this photo."

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