I couldn't help but allow the twinge of jealousy towards Sunji resurface. Since we had become friends, I had come to the realisation that Sunji excelled in everything she did. Her grades being the only exception. (But it was no secret that she could easily top the school if she was just willing to put in a bit more effort). I knew that she could effortlessly solve the toughest of questions. The only thing was that she simply did not care enough to try. Sunji was also much more athletic and health conscious than I was, thus giving her a (y and) slim figure. In summary, Sunji had and was everything. 

"The fifth contestant? The fifth contestant?"

"Ne?" I squeaked as I snapped back to reality. As soon as I noticed everyone's attention on me, I couldn't have possibly felt more embarrassed than I did then.

"I said please perform your piece again for us. You can also sing another piece if you're more comfortable with that." One of the judges said to me monotonously, looking as if she regretted giving me a second chance. I stood there, stumped, trying to comprehend and digest the new information.

"Hye Sun! Hye Sun!" Sunji's half-yelling-half-whispering sped up my digestion of the information and I quickly stepped forward and began to sing.

"Hye Sun! OMG YOU DID GREAT! YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO GET ACCEPTED!" Sunji burst out once we exited the room and reunited. I couldn't help but grin hearing her supportive words.

"You were great too as usual!" I returned her compliment and being her usual thick-skinned self, she accepted it without shame.

"Of course!" She flipped her long, red-tipped hair while I rolled my eyes.

Despite it being 1 week after the auditions, I still had butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach at the mere thought that I had been asked to perform again. Yet, I was dreading having to wait to receive the results.

"What if they say to try again another time? What if the second chance they gave was just to hear how bad I sounded? What if-"

"Just shut up. You're seriously over-thinking everything and so what if you're rejected? It's not the first time anyways," I glared at her while Sunji merely shrugged before continuing, "and you sounded great! Why are you doubting yourself? At least have faith in me! I may be your best friend and all, but I wouldn't lie to you!" After hearing Sunji's confession, I calmed down a bit.

Yea, I guess I can always try again.

While I panicked and turned into a wrecked mess, Sunji went on with her life as per normal, not even breaking a sweat in anticipation for what was to come. Finally after two sleepless nights, the dread turned into fear.

"Hye Sun! Hye Sun!" Sunji called out excitedly when she alighted from her chauffeured car. Did I forget to mention that she was absolutely loaded as well? Students around sent her weird glances but she remained oblivious and skipped towards me.

Even after being friends for so long, many still thought it was weird that their amazing queenka was my best friend. But she accepted me and liked my company so despite feeling inferior sometimes, that was all that mattered. 

"Have you received your email? I've read mine and I got through to second rounds!" She bulleted off at one shot when she finally reached me and stood on my right. Blame it on the Monday blues and my naturally slow genes, because I didn't get what she saying until approximately, 5 seconds later.

"OMG! CONGRATULATIONS!" I screamed out when the pieces in my brain clicked together. Both of us jumped up and down like crazy people but we couldn't care less at the moment.

"Check yours now!" Sunji told me and I bit back a groan.

"But I don't want to," I whined like a child.

"I'm most probably not gonna make it anyway.." I trailed off.

"Just check it! You need to see it with your own eyes before you can be sure! Besides, I have a good feeling you'll make it!" She ended off with a rare enthusiasm that got me breaking into a small smile and I could feel a small hope relight in me. I took out my phone and braced myself yet cowarded out at the last moment.

"Aish! I'll help you check!" Sunji snatched my phone over before I could protest.

"I refuse to go for the second rounds without you," she announced in a sombre tone and I felt my heart dropped to the pits of my stomach.

Seriously, how could I even think I was ever going to make it through the first round? Not even in my dreams would that ever happen. Not even in a million years. I slumped my shoulders dejectedly, trying to hold back the tears welling in my eyes.

"No it's okay. Just go, you deserve i-," choked out the words despite the lump forming in my throat.

"Thank goodness! I won't have to go without you then!" she finished her sentence and I stood there, momentarily dumbfounded, a 100 watt smile cracking onto my face seconds after. 

a/n: OMO! THEY MADE IT TO THE SECOND ROUNDS~ Who's ready for the next chapter?? ;)

Lots of love from your dearest authors, pretty_ugly & geezeebee ♡