WARNING: NOT EDITED ( I lost track of my helper again! XD)

Trainee days- Lay's birthday special

SM building, under basement, practice room number 10.

Two giddy and noisy kids, who could pass easily for kindergarten despite actually being 19 years old, were passing by the practice rooms after the first vocal lesson when one of them stopped abruptly, followed by the second kid who stopped only out of curiosity. The first kid watched in awe at the performance (at least in his eyes because for the trainees inside that was more of a routine) being played inside the room. There were many persons dancing at the rhythm of the music but somehow only two caught the eye of the kid: one for the quality of his movements. The other one for the accuracy of his every gesture.

• They are trainees like us- commented the kid who stopped after the first one.

• No way!

• Believe it. The one with slightly tanned skin is younger than us and he trained here for ages. His name is Jongin if I remember well. The other one has a complicated Chinese name that I can't remember.

The chinese dancer made a wave movement with his back.

• My back isn't that good- commented depressed the first kid. Like the other parts of my body are better!

The other kid laughed.

• Well that is the standard!

• Ooh gosh- replied the first kid.

The other simply patted the first kid's back in amusement. The latter pouted.

They continued their way passing rapidly the other rooms. The first kid tried to be cheerful again but he couldn't forget what he saw.

That was the first encounter of Kim Jongdae and Zhang Yixing.

Apparently Jongdae and Baekhyun were doing quite good because after few weeks they were moved from the group of complete beginners to another group of trainees that were more "ready". In Jongdae's opinion only Baekhyun was doing some progress while his feet were still useless as always. So it was never in Jongdae's mind to find himself being crushed in one of the best trainee group of Sm. He didn't realize it at first, he just thought the group would be slightly better. That was why he was boldly and cheerfully joking with Baekhyun in a corner of the practice room. And when a giant all teeth and smiles came to introduce himself he still had no idea, even though the face of the giant was kind of familiar but he was kind of distracted by his creepy smile his uneventful tone of voice and his way of speaking. His bestfriend always said he was on crack but he didn't knew Baekhyun and now Park Chanyeol (the giant's name). But then they were introduced to the others and he nearly fainted. He recognized them immediately, the slightly tanned kid and the chinese guy, the two dance monster who impressed him so much. The tanned kid introduced himself in a short murmured sentence that sounded like “Hi. Jongin” and he said nothing else. Jongdae didn't know what to think but he smiled nonetheless because he was taught that first impressions don't necessarily say all of a person. One after another the rest of the group introduced themselves, he nearly fainted again when a guy nearly 15 cm taller then him came near him (they sure have tall people!) and he was left speechless when his eyes met the face of what he thought was a fourteen flower boy kid ( how he could be real, Jongdae didn't know) who gave him a judgemental stare (he didn't blame him, he knew he stared at him for about a whole minute). Then it came the turn of the Chinese dance monster who talked in a strong accented Korean- hi I'm Yixing- and he bowed in perfect 90 degrees that manage to make Jongdae blush in embarrassment and bow even more deeper. He was e newbie, for god's sake, he was supposed to bow to everyone and everything! So they bowed another couple of times and they would have probably continued like forever but another person came into his and Baekhyun's way.

• Hello! I'm Junmyeon nice to meet you! If you need any help feel free to ask me!- he said smiling one of the warmest smile Jongdae ever saw. He smiled automatically he couldn't help it. This Junmyeon guy gave him good vibrations. But then the dance instructor came in and everybody went to their positions.

  “This is going to be hell” Jongdae thought when he saw Yixing taking gracefully position next to him.

Of course that first lesson was a disaster.

The dance trainer followed him in every move and kept behind him after lesson to make him do well at least the basic steps. He knew a new rumour would spread at speed light, comments about Kim Jongdae "the dance disaste"r. It was depressing being at his level and having in front of him dancers like Jongin and Yixing. Even the Luhan kid and the others were kind of good. His only consolation was that dude, Chanyeol. They exchanged glances through the mirrors, sealing their friendship in their silent but mutual understanding. After practice he didn't expect to have Junmyeon waiting for him. “ I was passing by” he said but then he took him on a tour of Sm building while talking in detail about the rest of the group and so Jongdae realized he wanted to make him feel a part of it. That's how he learnt that Junmyeon was one the senior among trainees (“ Shisus you are my hyung! Sorry hyung for not calling you hyung” Jongdae blubbered) even though not the oldest. “Minseok hyung, Yifan hyung and Luhan hyung are older” and if Jongdae could believe that when it came to the giant Chinese he couldn't believe his ears when he heard the ages of that Minseok guy and the Chinese flower boy (who he thought was 14).

• yes, I understand you! The first time I saw Luhan hyung I even mistook him for a girl-Jongdae couldn't help but laugh, seeing his hyung scratching embarrassedly his nape.

• How about the others Chinese guys? Are they my hyungs too?- asked Jongdae trying to find a way to ask indirectly information about the Chinese dance monster.

• Zitao is younger than you by an year, he doesn't talk too much Korean so be patience with him. He can seem scary but he's kinda cute- Jongdae didn't knew how could the scary giant kid with black hair be cute but he nodded nonetheless.

• Yixing is older than you by an year instead, he speaks Korean better but don't expect from him to be as good as Luhan or Yifan hyung- Jongdae smiled as he followed Junmyeon through the tour of the rest of the building, thinking that the chance to talk to the Chinese dance monster- Yixing- would have probably been near to zero.

However later it turned out that Yixing was going to be his new roomate.

Yeah. Destiny.

Sharing a room with the Chinese dance monster frightened Jongdae more than he wanted to admit. He would have preferred to room with Baekyun or Chanyeol, or with Junmyeon hyung but with the dance monster (“ Yixing, Jongdae please at least call the poor kid by his name!”)...he really had no idea what to do. He dragged his few bags and things in his new room.

• Oh you are here- said Yixing in his funny accent- do you need any help unpacking?- he said in a tone so kind that Jongdae felt guilty to have been worrying about rooming with him.

• Don't worry there's really no need. They are only a couple of things, please continue whatever you were doing- Jongdae said and he felt like bowing a couple of times just to compensate the kindness of Yixing's offer. But then Yixing smiled and Jongdae noticed he had dimples in his cheeks and he nearly lost it there. How could a monster be so cute?

   

   

- You know I was noticing.. for someone with such a good voice you did speak like a squirrel- teased Baekhyun during a break.

• Yah!- Jongdae tried to hit him but Baekhyun was fast and dodged his kick.

• Finally there's something we both agree- commented Minseok.

• I feel flattered- Baekhyun cried in a exaggerated tone making Minseok roll his eyes.

• But- when you sing-  your voice is lovely Jongdae- added Junmyeon who tried to do better but ended digging Jongdae's grave.

• Hyung even you!- he exclaimed in defeat making the others laugh.

His world was starting to become wider, now he didn't have only Baekhyun but Chanyeol and Junmyeon hyung and a new acquirement, Minseok hyung (apparently his new mother). He was grateful to Minseok hyung in more ways, not only because he often stayed with him till later to help him get even with the others but also because thanks to him his relationship with Luhan hyung from bad turned suddenly good ( they cleared their misunderstanding). Jongdae really liked the Chinese guys, they were so kind and considerate and acted towards each others like they were family. It wasn't like the Koeran guys were inconsiderate but Chanyeol and Baekhyun were kind of independent and carefree, Jongin and Sehun still kids and Kyungsoo too silent, so it was hard to consider them a group. The dynamic among the Chinese members instead was interesting. He wished he could know better all of them even the mysterious guy Zitao and above all his roomate, Yixing. Despite the numerous days passed as roomates, he barely saw and spoke to the dance monster. Yixing usually stood up really early in the morning and came back to their crappy apartment (that they shared with Jongin and Kyungsoo) really late in the night. So far he learnt only that Yixing is a hard working who takes his role of trainee really seriously; that he is a little forgetful and often forgets his wallet or his supplies; that he has the habit to fall asleep hugging a pillow. Jongdae knew this one because once he woke up in the middle of the night and found his roomate deeply asleep and hugging his pillow like his life depended on it. It was really a sight and he felt bad for not being able to tease his roomate about it. It wasn't like Yixing didn't put effort in speaking to him but they really did have little interactions and Jongdae had to admit he felt a little of a reverence towards him, enough to form a wall of awkwardness between them; so every time Yixing was finally speaking to him he would feel embarrassed. Because till now for Jongdae, Yixing was still the dance monster and an overall genius like other envious trainees commented behind his back. The truth was that Jongdae was probably having a major man crush.

Speaking of the devil Yixing entered the practice room greeting everyone, giving a particular wide smile to Jongdae, his roomate who smiled back but nothing more happened.

• You still can't get along with Yixing- asked Minseok softly, his words only directed towards Jongdae.

• It's not like we don't get along we don't have interactions, that's all.

• Yixing is a sweet kid a bit clumsy but he is good people.

• I know. But well...

• Don't be shy only because he is one of the most experienced here! He's approachable like everyone else- Minseok said to him ruffling his hair, showing with his words how easy was for him to read Jongdae.

• It's easy for you to tell, you are not a newbie!

Minseok laughed and Jongdae wanted to pout but in the end laughed along with him.

Practice lasted till late and for Jongdae who was never a sporty kid, was hard like hell. But he didn't complain he would do whatever it would take to make his dream come true: being on a stage and sing. He dragged his drained body from his vocal class. He felt his lungs hurt, they were teaching him to go beyond what he thought were his highest note. Apparently he could further. However it was mentally and physically stressing and he wanted nothing more than going to his apartment and sleep. He again was walking through the corridors,passing by the dance practice rooms and in one of them, despite being late, there was someone who was till practising: it was Yixing. He stopped to peek into the room like that first time and he felt his energies come back again. If a dance monster practices like that me, who is a newbie, should practice more.

• Guys I'll stay a bit more- he said to Luhan, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo and Minseok who were in his same vocal class.

He smiled at their concerned looks and resisting their pleads he turned back and went to another room but before the door was closed he heard someone going in: he tuned back and met the round face of Minseok.

• You dancing by yourself? It can only end in a disaster- he commented.

Jongdae pouted but smiled inside.

He came back late in the night but Yixing came back even later. Jongdae wanted to understand how the heck he managed to sustain that rhythm without dying of exhaustion.

He woke up thinking to find the bed next to him empty but instead he found Yixing still wrapped in the blankets hugging cutely his pillow. Jongdae laughed quietly and even though his heart broke at the thought to wake his overworked roomate, he woke him up nonetheless.

• Hyung! Wake up- he said in the sweetest tone.

Yixing wrinkled his nose and murmured something in Chinese.

• Hyunnng!- he said this time more loud. Yixing opened his eyes abruptly scaring Jongdae. He let his pillow go and seated on the bed.

• What time is it?- he asked in his broken Korean

• 7 in the morning hyung.

• Crap!- Jongdae never saw someone standing up so fast. He saw him wearing a wrinkled shirt grabbing at the speed of the light his stuff and go out of his room.

• Hyung wait!- Jongdae tried to stop him.

• Later Zhong da! I'm late!

• Hyung you are forgetting something!

• I'll borrow it fromLuhan, now I have to go!- he said grabbing some cookies from the kitchen table and then running towards the main door.

• But Yixing hyung! - but he continued running and he was just in the act to open the door that Jongdae shouted.

• Xing xing!

Yixing stopped abruptly surprised by Jongdae's tone who was always towards him so polite and conceited like he was the Lee soo man president.

• you can't go out in only your boxer- Jongdae said to him in a casual tone.

The Chinese boy looked at his low part: he did forgot to wear his pants.

The expression of Yixing was so surprised and shocked that Jongdae couldn't help but laugh quietly. He then went near him, shook his arm and said- come back to our room and go wear some pants ok? We can go together at practice, and maybe this time you can even have a proper breakfast there's still some rice from yesterday to warm up. Arriving at 8 for once wont' kill you.

Yixing followed him like a kid would follow his mother making Jongdae smile wider because he was just too cute.

Yixing sighed and then with a shaky tone said- thank you Zhong da.

• Dont' worry hyung, things like this always happen- he smiled at him.

Jongdae decided to go the bathroom and wash his face before going prepare breakfast when the curious voice of his roomate stopped him.

• Zhong da did you just call me Xing Xing?

Jongdae laughed sheepishly.

It was a start. Jongdae still spent most of his free time with Junmyeon and Minseok but he now had long conversations, as long as Yixing Korean could allow, with his roomate too, and he even managed to convince him to at least wake up later the times when he came late in the night.

- Thanks to you he's finally sleeping more- Luhan commented happily to him.

• Ah I did nothing.

• You put some sense in that big head of his. He can be pretty stubborn! Anyway thanks Jongdae.

  Jongdae smiled. He couldn't exactly say that they bonded over pants.

Anyway his relationship with Yixing was getting better to the point that sometimes he would not only pick at the practice room but he would enter and join Yixing. The latter always told the newbies to join him for extra class and he knew Zitao and Baekhyun often took advantage of his offer but somehow Jongdae never had the courage to do so. At that time Yixing was till the dance monster. But now the dance monster turned in Xing xing his roomate and so he didn't see any problem in joining him. Trying to follow Yixing was hard and sometimes a little frustrating but Yixing was a patient person and did helped him a lot (and he could finally make rest Minseok who often volunteered to monitor him).

• I would like to dance like you Xing xing hyung- exclaimed Jongdae after a particular hard move. After the accident Yongdae kept the habit of calling Yixing like that to remind both of them how they start and Yixing seemed like it- the dance instructor is right: I'm a dance disaster.

• You are not. You are only a bit stiff but you have sense of rhythm- replied Yixing.

• You are only trying to cheer me up.

• When it comes to dance I never joke. You are doing good Zhong da.

With Yixing guidance his progresses were so good that the dance instructor didn't shout at him anymore. Jongdae felt so grateful towards his roomate that he kept the habit to bring an extra bottle of water in his bag for his hyung and he would woke up early just to remind him to grab the keys and his wallet and most of the times he would hear Yixing curse in Chinese and whisper “thanks Zhong da” before exiting again the room, leaving a sleepy Jongdae behind.

• You know you are really sweet Zhong da- Yixing told him once when Jongdae passed him the bottle of water he took for him. The comment take Jongdae off guard and let him with idiot blush on his cheek for awhile even though Yixing already left him to go speak with Yifan but not before flashing him with his dimpled smile.

The dance practice went smoother than usual he was not at the level of Luhan hyung but he was now average and he would not gape in shock anymore when the instructor would show new steps. So he was surprised when the instructor asked him to stay behind. Jongdae nervously glanced at Minseok and Junmyeon when they passed by. He didn't want to look at Yixing's direction, ashamed that all the hours passed together were only a waste.

• relax Jongdae, there's no need to do that face. Now follow me we have to go to president office- Jongdae gulped visibly. Were they going to kick him out? But then why going to the director's office? He didn't see him even the time he was accepted.

• Jongdae take a seat please- Lee soo man said politely to him. Over there there was the coordinator of the trainees, his vocal coach and his dance instructor.

• Your dance instructor told me you did a lot of progresses in few weeks.

Jongdae merely nodded.

Lee soo man did a long speech but Jongdae was beyond fear and he only understood the words debut and Exo. Wait what? Debut? Him? He didn't even reached his 5^th month of training.

• we are going to debut a new group of 12 people, however for the time being we'll split you into two sub units: exo M and exo K; one unit would promote in Korea, the other one in China. However there aren't enough Chinese boys so two Korean boys will have to take Chinese lessons to be able to promote there. Jongdae we want you as a main vocal of one of those two units, we just have to decide in which unit put you in. Which would you choose, Exo M or Exo K?.

Jongdae had enough struggle to digest all the dialogue,and still shocked for the news of debuting he had to decide between Exo M and Exo K. his practice group was exactly of 12 people so it was nearly sure they were all going to debut. He thought about the persons he got along better: Chanyeol, Junmyeon, Baekhyun. But as a main vocal there was no way they would put him and Baekhyun together since they were the ones with the ability to sing high notes. He also registered that probably the extra lessons that Minseok was taking were of Chinese and that was one of the reasons he recently started to stick with the Chinese members more. So it was: being a main singer along with Kyungsoo or with Luhan. He thought about Jongin the kid dance monster and Sehun, he thought about the mature and reliable behaviour of Yifan and the mystery it was Zitao. His heart ached because he already knew his decision: he always was fascinated by the family air that surrounded the Chinese boys. He always wanted to travel and he would probably missed his family a lot ( he thought about all the times he heard Yixing sniffle when he thought he was asleep). Yixing his roomate, the person who was decisive for his dance progresses; Xing xing hyug who always forgets his keys and wallet.

Jongdae your voice is gorgeous- said often Junmyeon. He would miss his hyung a lot.

But he already made his decision.

Two days later Jongdae greeted Yixing with his first Chinese words.

• Xing ge ni hao ma?

Yixing was taken aback and then cracked in a laugh.

• Hen hao- he replied to a clueless Jongdae who knew only that phrase.

• Don't worry Zhong da, you'll learn- he said patting his back and smiled at him- now let's go to practice or we are going to be late.

He dragged Jongdae from the arm, they walked together side by side- the dance monster and the dance disaster.

Yixing and Jongdae.

Author's note: I always had troubled feelings towards Yixing- my third bias- because he reminds me a lot of my past crush! But I tried my best for you, Yixing I love you <3 Happy birthday!

bonus

The weirdo list

1. Kyungsoo: the serial killer aura. he stares often in the thin air, keep quite but then goes and kick you to death ( favourite target:Baekhyun) without changing facial expression (and still managing to seem cute). CREEPY.

2. Luhan: angel's face evil aura. the master of the evil maknae. Doesn't tolerate people on his bed, habit of kicking the other's shin. (Ranked second because he just kicked me out of his bed). DIVA.

3.Chanyeol: it would be better if he were on crack. Nose picker. habit of biting. A TODDLER.

4.Me, Zhang Yixing: lost in my own world best friend with weIrdo nr.2, with a serious problem with memory. SPACED OUT AMNESIAC.

5. Baekhyun: he seems on crack but he is probably one of the smartest. PUPPET MASTER.

6. Minseok: a house wife disease with an obsession for cleanliness. NEAT FREAK

7 Sehun:  a disaster kid with a Luhan complex.EVIL MAKNAE

8. Zitao: AB personality, acts cool but speaks nonsense. SPLIT PERSONALITY

9.YIFAN & JUNMYEON: a fashon mania and a skin product addicted. LEADERS WITH PRINCE DISEASE.

10. Jongin: says jokes nobody except him understands. AWKWARD KID.

11. Jongdae: he thinks he is the troll king but he's PROBABLY THE ONLY SANE PERSON HERE.   XD

 rank can change at any moment!

Z.Y.

ps: I just started a new job so please be patient with me, I don't have time to write TT. And  while I was gone the layout changed! How the heck does it work?!

any comment? <3