“Wendy, don’t listen to whatever they are saying and just do your best,” Wendy said to her own reflection in the mirror and dried her tears before she left the washroom, readying herself for another dance practice.

When she entered, she was greeted by a fellow adorable trainee whose name was equally adorable as well, her name was Seulgi. Ever since Wendy entered SM entertainment, a month ago, Wendy’s life had changed drastically. SM entertainment was one of the top three entertainment company producing top-class idols in the Korean pop industry.

For Wendy, life had become tougher and it was mainly caused by the people whom she was surrounded by, her fellow trainees. Except Seulgi, most of the other trainees were not very friendly towards Wendy.

Wendy had entered SM purely through her powerful vocal abilities however she was still an outcast because she did not embody the ideal body type that most Korean pop idols have. Wendy was neither tall nor slim. Also, unlike most of the fresh trainees, Wendy was also not very quick at picking up dance moves. Whenever they had shared dance practice sessions with the more senior trainees like Seulgi, Wendy would become extremely nervous and commit even more mistakes.

Seulgi was of the same age as Wendy however unlike Wendy, Seulgi had already been training in SM entertainment for five-years and had entered the company at a tender age of thirteen. Seulgi was a very jovial person and because of her seniority, had made many friends, amongst which was Joohyun.

Seulgi had been the kindest to Wendy, always offering her a smile and encouragement whenever Wendy needed it. However, Wendy had been shy, and even afraid of getting closer to Seulgi for fear of her fellow trainees thinking ill about her intentions. Seulgi, was after all, one of the best trainees in SM and was rumoured to be next in line to debut.  

Seulgi’s friend, Joohyun, however seemed a little closed-off from the others but was really pretty. Wendy wondered why was Joohyun so aloof. Wendy sometimes wondered if it was because Joohyun was, like Wendy, bullied at some point in time as a trainee.

Then again, such thoughts were not meant to be spoken out loud and so Wendy kept all of it to herself. Wendy had also heard that Joohyun had entered SM at an older age as well, like Wendy. Between Seulgi and Joohyun, Wendy felt more for Joohyun because she would sometimes catch the worried gaze that Joohyun had thrown in her direction from time to time.

Wendy shook her head, she should not be thinking about all these pointless things, she should be focused on improving herself and surviving as a trainee in SM. Joohyun was perhaps just showing sympathy towards her like how she would towards anybody, there was no special meaning behind Joohyun’s expression.

After a few bouts of practices, Wendy made another mistake and was scolded by the dance instructor, again.

“Wendy, it is no use if you have a set of very good vocals, you have got to be good at dancing if you wish to debut.”

Wendy heard sniggers from the other trainees, not from Seulgi nor Joohyun, from the meaner ones.

“What is so funny?” The dance instructor scolded the other girls as well and continued, “you all think this is a joke?”

Those mean trainees ceased their snigger immediately and mustered their very best innocent expression as they shook their heads.

Wendy kept her head down in embarrassment and willed her mind to ignore those sniggers as she continued. After the dance practice ended, Seulgi approached Wendy.

“Are you okay?” Seulgi asked.

Wendy wished she could tell Seulgi that she was not and stay to chat with her but from her side vision, she noticed the other female trainees glaring at her so she merely gave a nod and left the dance practice room by herself afterwards.

Unbeknownst to Wendy, the fresh trainee had become a frequent topic of discussion between Seulgi and Joohyun.

“She said she was okay?” Joohyun asked.

Seulgi nodded then shook her head, “actually she did not, she merely nodded and then she left.”

“I see…” Joohyun said as she looked over to the other female trainees who were laughing and likely gossiping about Wendy amongst themselves.

Despite her usual calm temperament, Joohyun felt like punching them in the face for treating their fellow fresh trainee so poorly. Joohyun reflected back to the time when she had faced such a situation as well, three years ago, but fortunately most of the female trainees who had mistreated her had left the company or had changed for the better.

Joohyun squeezed her eyes shut and hope that this Wendy could outlast those mean girls and things would become better for her as well.

Stay strong, Wendy.

**

A new trainee had joined them and her name was Sooyoung. Wendy liked Sooyoung even though she was a bit quiet because Sooyoung seemed really nice and edgy. As usual, the mean girls who had liked to pick on Wendy had tried to intimidate Sooyoung as well but Sooyoung was entirely unaffected.

Sooyoung was the first to approach Wendy at the canteen when she had been eating alone. Sooyoung had taken up one of the seat at Wendy’s table and began speaking to her.

“I’ve long known about the culture at SM, don’t worry I am fully prepared for it,” Sooyoung had said to Wendy.

Wendy, being the shy girl she was, nodded and continued eating in silence. Wendy wondered if she should say something back to Sooyoung, after all, this was a good chance for her to make friends, but alas Wendy did not.

Sooyoung seemed to not mind the silence and continued eating with Wendy at the same table for the next few weeks and months. Wendy was happy and began to gain back the appetite she had lost while becoming a trainee.

Joohyun, who had been witnessing the blossoming friendship between Wendy and Sooyoung soon felt an odd mixture of emotion between gladness and loss.

The twenty-one year old was happy that Wendy seemed to have found a friend but felt a little upset that she was not the one. Joohyun then began to question why she did not try to befriend Wendy? Joohyun knew the answer to her own question. It was because she had not dared to do it. Joohyun was never one to be the first to befriend someone else, she had always waited until… opportunities were lost. Joohyun knew she could only fault herself for this and so she hoped that this Sooyoung would treat Wendy like a very good friend.

Good luck, Wendy.

**

“Seulgi, Joohyun, have you guys heard about it?” Yeri asked the duo.

Yeri was one of SM’s youngest but most informative trainee. Despite her young age, Yeri had been with SM for almost as long as Seulgi. Diplomacy was one of Yeri’s strengths which was why the young trainee was so likeable by the trainees and instructors alike.

“About what?” Seulgi asked.

Joohyun smiled inwardly because she got an inkling what Yeri was referring to.

“SM Rookies,” Yeri whispered, as if it was the biggest secret in the world.

“Oh! You mean… the… cream of the crop amongst the trainees? Yea, I’ve heard about it,” Seulgi said and topped her reaction off with her usual wide smile.

Yeri nodded and scooted nearer to the two senior trainees who had often entertained them with her gossips.

“It will be like an express ticket for the chosen ones to debut,” Yeri said enthusiastically.

“Really?!” Seulgi replied with as much zest as the younger.

Yeri and Seulgi then began punching and slapping each other as they fantasised about getting into the so-called elite team and debuting soon after.

Joohyun smiled with them but other than that, gave not much reaction because her attention soon veered to Wendy.

Wendy and Sooyoung was a table away from theirs and had begun singing a few English verses at random. It was apparent that Wendy was trying to share some singing techniques with Sooyoung discreetly but her melodious voice had regardless reached Joohyun’s ears.

So beautiful…

Joohyun did not realise that she had been staring until both Wendy and her eyes met. They looked away at the same time but the effect of that momentary connection had already been made. Joohyun’s heart was thumping really quickly, so much so that she thought it could have been heard by her friends around her. She had even had to place a hand over her chest to try and soothe herself.

Little did Joohyun know that the same phrase had crossed Wendy’s mind when their eyes had connected as well.

So beautiful…

That night, Wendy could not sleep and had gone up to the rooftop again, to sing to herself and to count the stars. Wendy loved the rooftop, it was a quiet place because it was often so cold. Wendy was not bothered by the cold since she was from Canada.

One, two, three…

Wendy began counting the stars but found herself to be distracted time and again. The stars… they reminded her of something. Wendy smiled as she linked the stars to Joohyun’s eyes. Yes, they were like Joohyun’s eyes, twinkling, pretty, and mysterious.

Wendy suddenly heaved a sigh of contentment as she thought about how her eyes had connected with Joohyun’s. Fortunately, it was only for a moment, if not, she might have truly fallen for Joohyun.

So beautiful…

Wendy thought again before folding her arms behind her head and began humming to her favourite song by her favourite artiste, Jessie J.

Don’t lose who you are, in the blur of the stars

Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing…

Startled by the sound of footsteps, Wendy stopped her singing abruptly and froze in her position. Who could be coming for the rooftop this late at night? Then, before she could decide on an investigation, the sound of the footsteps became fainter. The person who had wanted to bask under the night sky had decided to leave after all. Wendy pouted, her emotions a blend of relief and dejectedness at the same time.

Relief because she knew that she would not be disturbed that night and be spared of the awkwardness of having to face a fellow rooftop-lover. Dejected because she was curious to know who that rooftop-lover was.

Shrugging, Wendy then continued singing her song. Perhaps if she came up to the rooftop often enough, she would someday meet this person, a fellow rooftop-lover. Wendy smiled as she wished upon the stars for whom that person might be.

Joohyun.

For the senior trainee had stars in her eyes like those stars in the night sky.

**

The selections for SM Rookies took place over the next