4 September 2013

Henry Lau had caught himself just…staring, so much lately. Even during class he had been out of it. But this time, he felt like the staring was warranted. His backpack slumped down his shoulder at the sight before him.

They had graciously given him until the end of his first month of senior year to make his decision, meaning he should still have another thirty days or so before he had to tell SME University whether or not he wanted to go over there full-time before he finished high school. They promised to get him the exam that would be equivalent to a high school degree and then his university admittance was already guaranteed.

Everything had sounded like a dream…until it hadn’t. Henry didn’t even know if he wanted to spend his life in Korea. It was just a passing interest and one of Kibum’s requests. Hell, he wasn’t even Korean and now the biggest names in the K-Pop industry wanted him?

It was all too much to take in. That was why he had been extremely thankful for that grace period, which apparently, hadn’t meant much to his self-proclaimed mentor.

Mrs. Lau waved at her son from the living room where she was chatting with G-Dragon. Henry never thought that sentence would actually form in his mind. “What’s going on?” he asked slowly, approaching them so cautiously it seemed as if he were afraid they would pounce.

“Jiyoung was just telling me about how excited he is to start working with you. I’ll admit I was a bit worried when I first heard about that full scholarship you received to SME University, but now that I know such a kind young man will be taking care of you, I don’t feel like I should be worried,” she laughed easily, sipping her tea.

G-Dragon mimicked her, slim fingers tipping the cup toward his mouth. Placing it back onto the delicate porcelain dish, he uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. Those eyes focused on Henry for a split second before shifting back to his mother. “Like I was saying Mrs. Lau,” he spoke slowly in English, still persuasive as ever, “I really think this is the best chance for your son. He’s so talented,” he expressed earnestly. “I will take very good care of him.”

“Do I get a say?” Henry snapped in Korean. He quickly reeled back, apologizing under his breath.

The musician hid a smile by biting his lower lip. “Henry, I promise everything is good,” he tilted his head up, innocence softening his features. The younger male really wondered how much of that was honest. It couldn’t be much. Entertainers always had a trick or two up their sleeves.

“You said that I had until the end of September,” he responded.

“We changed our minds,” Jiyoung shrugged, “is it really too early?” He frowned as if hurt.

Mrs. Lau clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “Henry, please think about this properly. What are you planning after you graduate from high school? There are plenty of music schools and I know that you’ve been trained as a classical violinist, but I know your personality. I know you want more than that. You’re too young and bright to spend your life playing other people’s music.” She stood up, grasping her son’s shoulders gently. “You would be an amazing entertainer. Kibum is also living in Korea. He’ll watch out for you wherever you are and I trust him. I also trust Jiyoung. He’s been talking non-stop about how you blew away everyone at your audition. I can’t agree to letting you waste that talent. Your potential is endless and they want to cultivate it.”

Henry idly wondered how much crap G-Dragon had been feeding his mom’s ears. Sighing, he listened to her words, giving them honest consideration. It was true that he loved classical violin and piano, but he also loved writing songs and rearranging songs. Although he had only dabbled around with composition, it seemed like something he could do if he really tried. Would he have those opportunities if he just studied music in the States? What would he do with a music degree and no connections?

His eyes wandered to G-Dragon who was smiling at him from behind clasped hands. That expression already told him his answer. Henry knew there was really only one way to go from now on. Dropping his head, he hugged his mother. “Okay, I understand.”

Her face lit up. “Really?”

“Really,” he smiled.

Jiyoung stood as well, his phone already out. “This is great,” he grinned, bowing at the mother. “I’m going to make a call. My driver will take Henry and me to the airport right away.”

“What?” mother and son blurted.

He blinked, phone already pressed to his ear. “Well there’s a lot of paperwork and we’re already behind schedule,” Jiyoung explained, “It’s okay to take him back now, right? Someone will be back here to take care of Henry’s high school.”

Neither of them knew how to reject the logic. It seemed reasonable enough, considering the circumstances and people involved. Furthermore, they said they would take care of any loose ends on the Canadian side. Henry wasn’t trapped in South Korea either. He could come back whenever he wanted, right?

Henry pointed upstairs. “Then let me grab my stuff.” He quickly jogged up the stairs, going into his room and grabbing the most important things. Five minutes later, he was rushing back downstairs, secretly enjoying the quickening of his heartbeat as he lugged his guitar, laptop, violin, and backpack of underwear, t-shirts, and socks. Henry had an inkling Jiyoung was going to provide him with a new wardrobe anyway, especially if they were practically shoving him out the door.

He kissed his mother goodbye, promising to call and visit the first chance he got. The door shut behind him, the sound sending waves of finality through him.

Was this really how he was going to spend his last year of high school? What about prom? What about graduation? What about his friends and teachers?

“You’re over thinking,” Jiyoung remarked softly, pinching Henry’s cheek as the car drove them to the airport.

“I just…,” he trailed off.

“Don’t worry,” he took his head, squeezing it softly, thumb brushing over his knuckles. Jiyoung grinned faintly, “Everything’s fine.”

For some reason, Henry wanted to believe him with all his heart. And so, he did.

***

Cho Kyuhyun read over his grade and the attached flyer. He wasn’t struggling with the work at SME. In fact, he was passing like any other average student of law. However, there was nothing fulfilling about it when there was no one to share the joy with. It was like winning a war alone. No hugs, no high fives, no jokes or memories to be shared.

The hundreds, the nineties, the well wishes and praise were meaningless when he was the only one who knew about it. Eunhyuk and Sungmin didn’t count. They were far away. They didn’t have the ability to pat his back the moment he found out about some new success.

His eyes dropped back to the flyer his professor had stapled to his exam. He laughed humorlessly. It wasn’t even a flyer from one of his law professors. It was a music competition. Kyuhyun had flippantly decided to take the music class offered and in return, he had garnered attention for his singing ability. Of course that was normal for a huge place like SME. They were known for their entertainment department. Their law department was wonderful as well, but nothing compared to the web of idol connections in the university.

Are you a singer? Do you enjoy performing?

Compete with other talented singers at SME University’s Autumn Music Festival!

Admittance is free

Participation is free

There will be three stages of competition! Only the best will perform on the big stage on September 30!

If interested, request an audition time online!

Kyuhyun knew it was stupid, but it had always been his stress reliever. Singing was his passion – his love. There was nothing more important to him personally, than the ability to sing his heart out. But music didn’t make you money. Being an idol was tiresome and definitely filled with tricky situations. All he wanted was to make money and make his family proud.

Besides, being a lawyer wasn’t so bad. There was stability and that meant he could live a peaceful life settled down with Sungmin somewhere nice and perhaps high-end. They had spoken about marriage numerous times, imagining how many kids they would adopt, the dinners they would have every night, the quiet conversations they would have in each other’s arms…

Shaking his head, he shoved the flyer into his backpack. Pulling out his phone, he checked his messages, finding a reply from a girl he had been flirting with back and forth the past two days. She was pretty attentive, decent looking, and apparently interested. Then again, how many people were actually interested? Kyuhyun doubted it was going to go anywhere and yet he kept his hopes up.

It didn’t matter if he was with a man or woman. If they could make him happy, what did biology matter? Kyuhyun cranked out a reply to her, not reading it twice before replacing his phone back in his pocket.

The sky was darkening when he peered out a window. Thick, dark clouds were rolling in. He grimaced. It was probably going to be a ty walk back to the dorms. Leaning back on his heels, he considered his options. One, he could wait it out. Two, he could building hop back to the dorm. Or three, he could suicide-sprint all the way back which was a good ten minute walk normally.

“What are you loitering around for?”

Kyuhyun turned around to see a beautiful person – he couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman – coming toward him. Frowning, he waited until the person came closer. “I’m trying to decide if I should run for it or not. The rain is going to come down hard very soon.”

“That does seem to be the case,” the stranger agreed, smirking. Up close now, Kyuhyun could clearly see that it was a man. His hair was short and sweeping, glossy and red. His eyes were dark and curving. “Afraid the water will ruin your face?”

He snorted. “No way. I just get sick easily.”

“Ah, that’s pretty cute,” he grinned.

Kyuhyun cracked a smile but quickly let it drop. “And why are you here? Most classes have already ended, right?”

“I’m just moseying around,” he answered vaguely, eyes trailing around the empty hallway, “I’m Heechul, a TA. What’s your name, kiddo?”

“I’m not a kid,” Kyuhyun responded firstly, turning his gaze on the slim male, “…Cho Kyuhyun.”

“Now that we’re acquainted, why don’t we wait out the storm together, Kyuhyun?” Heechul offered – his smile more than a little suggestive as his eyes raked the other’s body.

“Sure.”