Chapter 33: Teddy and Tabi To The Rescue
YG Auditions
“Norah, relax.” Jiyong Oppa told me through the intercom. Despite the soothing
tone of his voice, my whole body remained tense as I read the lyrics in the monitor
next to me over and over again. I’ve been recording for over two hours already but
once again I couldn’t get it right. I bit my lip in frustration as Jiyong Oppa’s voice
continued on speaking. His murmur of, “…. I don’t get what’s happening to her.”
made me wince. To be honest I don’t know what’s wrong with me either. It’s not like
this is a complicated song in the first place but for some reason, I’m not hitting the
notes right. “Let’s do that again.” Came his voice through the intercom and I nodded,
bracing myself for the start of the music. I was too focused on prepping myself before
I sing that I actually missed the first part of the verse. I groaned in frustration as I ran
a hand through my hair. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Norah…” I looked up as Teddy’s voice rang through the headphones this time
instead of Jiyong Oppa’s. “Why don’t you step out for a bit?” I nodded resignedly
and took of my headphones before stepping out of the booth. I couldn’t meet the eyes
of the others so I stuck with staring at my Vans instead as I approached the couch. “Ji
Yeon – ah, why don’t you start recording with Kira?” Teddy Oppa continued as he
stood up from his usual seat to offer it to Gummy who nodded and started instructing
Kira on what to do. A slight nudge to my side caused me to look up from my intense
observation of my shoes, only to be met by a kind smile from Kira before she
followed Gummy Unnie towards the equipment to dutifully listen to her manager’s
instructions. Two swivel chairs scraped against the hardwood floors but then Teddy
Oppa spoke once more, this time to Jiyong Oppa. “Ji, help Ji Yeon – ah and Kira
record. Assist them for awhile.” Jiyong Oppa didn’t reply instantly and when I looked
up I saw his worried look directed at me before nodding to Teddy Oppa and moving
next to Gummy Unnie and Kira. Teddy on the other hand, sat next to me and gave me
a leveled look. I looked away from him and resumed my observation of the tops of
my worn out Vans. He shifted in his seat before asking in a low voice, “What’s up?” I
shrugged my shoulders, “I don’t really know Oppa. I…” I looked up when I heard
Kira’s voice drift towards us as she starts recording. Like I said, she has a voice of an
angel, including the harp and all. “… just couldn’t get it right no matter what I did.
I’m sorry.” I muttered to him in frustration. He squeezed my shoulder and told me
kindly, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. That’s why we’re. To help you out when
you’re having trouble during training. It’s not always going to be a smooth ride
Norah, that’s something that I can vouch for you, even after you debut.” Teddy Oppa
gave me a pensive look at this as if gauging my reaction to his words and I finally
faced him properly. “Study the song I gave you, again ok? We can record next time
when Bom is here –” I shook my head and blew air out through my pouted lips. “No,
I have to do this. I want to do this right today.” He nodded and ruffled my hair
fondly. “Ayt. I’ll just go out for a bit. Text me when they’re through.” He stood up
and fixed his cap, giving us a two salute before he left the studio with Kush
who gave me a wink and a boyish grin that made me laugh. I cocked my head to the
side when as Teddy Oppa and Ahjussi stepped out of the studio, Tabi Oppa came in
wearing a eating grin. He glanced around the room and furrowed his eyebrows
when he saw Kira singing inside the booth instead of me. “That was fast.” He
commented to me as he occupied the seat Teddy Oppa was in awhile ago. “It’s a long
story.” Sophie piped up as she approached me for the first time since I went out. “No
seriously, what is it?” Tabi Oppa asked us, his confusion evident by the way his
eyebrows furrowed even more and his lips formed a straight line. Sophie sat cross
legged next to me and eyed the Big Bang rapper, “Seunghyun – ssi, what about you?
What were you up to?” she asked him in a deceptively sweet voice. I shifted in my
seat to face her and mouthed my thanks to her this time. I’m not really that keen on
announcing to everyone how much I’ve been a up despite the fact that it’s only
Tabi Oppa. “I just called someone, that’s all.” At the raised eyebrows directed at him
coming from me and Sophie, Tabi Oppa hurriedly added, “It was the casting director
for another series I’m doing ok?”
“Ahhhh…” Sophie murmured. “Say hello to Seungri for me ok?” My eyes widened
and I gaped at Tabi Oppa who was glaring menacingly at Sophie. “You called Seungri
Oppa?” I hissed at him in annoyance. Seungri in his paranoia at the fact that I’m
living on my own (even if his place is right across from mine) makes it a point to
know my apartment’s pass code in case of emergencies and that, according to his list
are the following:
Jiyong Oppa trying to kill him
Jiyong Oppa becoming melodramatic/ emo/ mushy
If AND when they run out of food
If he needs to make an escape from a girl he used to date/ he slept with
The rest of Big Bang trying to kill him
If and when Boss aka YG is hunting him down
And finally, whenever I’m in trouble or I’m in danger/ mortal peril
That’s why it’s not really a shock that most know about this little fact because he
pesters me so much about it whenever I change the code, even whenever we’re in the
office. Thankfully no one has figured out how accessible EXACTLY my apartment
is to them. And you know, it’s nice to know that your pseudo brother wants to protect
you from the evils of the world before he bothers with his own problems. COUGH
not COUGH. “You called Seungri Oppa?!” I asked him again in between gritted
teeth. “That’s a low blow! You know that he can’t keep a damn secret to himself
especially under pressure.” I was hitting Tabi Oppa’s arm in annoyance when Kira’s
voice hit a high note from her recording perfectly which made my voice die down and
gape at her through the window. “Akira that was good! Damn.” Jiyong Oppa told Kira
over the intercom with amazement lacing through his voice. Gummy was smiling at
her trainee with pride as she urged Kira to do it again. I swallowed thickly as I looked
down at my Vans once more. Kira’s melodious voice filled the studio once more,
with no one daring to disturb it with their chatter. The impressed look Jiyong Oppa
was sporting as he listened to Kira’s original composition was just too much for me.
It was depressing me completely and I needed to step out for a bit. I stood up from
my seat and excused myself as quietly as possible and then pushed open the doors
of the studio, heading nowhere. I can’t go to the rooftop, Teddy and Kush might be
there as well as the other folks from YG. I need a place where I could think and have
my peace and quiet. Well if I’m being honest I just want to wallow in my self – pity
but that sounds too depressing and pitiful. I walked around aimlessly till I spotted the
locker rooms. I peeped through the door and saw no one, so I went inside and located
my own locker. Slumping against the cool metal door, I slid down to the floor and
hugged my knees.
Am I really cut out for this? No matter how many times people tell me that I deserve
to be here, the fact of the matter is, I don’t. I’m not jaw droppingly amazing at
anything. I’m perfectly adequate. That’s right. I can sing, sure, after you’ve given
me sufficient time to learn the song to sing it in tune. I can dance but not as good as
Youngbae, Seungri, Minzy or even some of the other trainees. Rapping is sort of a
seasonal thing for me. There are times where I can flow like nobody’s business (I had
to grin at the thought of when that happened one time. Beenzino, Dok2 and the Quiett
were visiting YG and they also sat in during my recording. Beenzino complimented
me at nailing the song. I can’t wipe the grin off my face after that.) and there are
moments when Teddy would speak through the intercom and ask me if I was rapping
or citing a novel dispassionately through the mic. UGH. The only thing I seem to be
managing alright from all my training is the hosting lessons I get from Dara Unnie
and Seungri Oppa and that’s just cause I’ve had experience in it from before. I bet that
if I didn’t I would be perfectly adequate AGAIN.
I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging it at the roots in frustration. I need to get
a grip, I can’t break down, especially right now, just when I was able to convince
Jiyong Oppa that I will not fall behind my training because of the part time job I took
up as Ji Eun Noona’s assistant stylist. My thoughts were running rampant and kept
me distant from what’s happening around me, that’s why I didn’t notice it when Tabi
Oppa sat next to me in the cool hardwood floor.
“Oppa!” I cried in surprise. “What are you doing here?” He raised an eyebrow at my
question as if repeating it back to me. I narrowed my eyes at him and retorted to his
silent question, “I asked first.” my voice sounding more petulant than I wanted to.
He leaned back against the lockers and stared into space as he answered me, “I went
out looking for you. You suddenly went out of the booth without telling any of us
where you’re headed.” He paused for awhile before continuing on, “I know you’re
upset. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. What’s wrong Norah? You know
you can talk to me right?” Top told me kindly. I was so touched at his concern for
me, I knew he has my back and I see him as one of my older brothers here in YG
but this is really the first time I was able to feel that he cared for me like a younger
sister. Usually we’d kid around with the others and that’s it. Tabi Oppa is usually too
busy for shooting that I don’t get to see him often. “It’s nothing really. I’m just being
stupid.” I started, twisting my fingers on top of my lap as I continued on letting out
my frustrations. “My recording today wasn’t that good. Actually it’s horrible. I was
out of tune, I couldn’t hit the high notes and there were moments when I couldn’t
keep up with the instrumental. I know that by now I should have been able to pull
that off but I couldn’t. It’s so embarrassing especially with Gummy and Kira there
observing my recording.”
Tabi Oppa was silent after my rant, as if mulling over what he’ll tell me. Finally he
said, “Look Norah, I know it’s frustrating but give yourself some credit. You’ve gone
such a long way and besides things like this happen all the time. It happens to most
artists. That’s why it takes us a long time before we release another album.” I shook
my head at him in disagreement. That’s not just it Oppa. It’s not just the recording.
These very thoughts I voiced out to him with some difficulty. “Then what else is it?”
He asked me patiently. “Oppa, I don’t think I belong here.” I mumbled quietly, afraid
of what his reaction will be after hearing my insecurity. Tabi Oppa whipped his head
to my side to level his gaze with me and the questioning look he threw at me made me
want to hide. “What on earth are you talking about?” He asked me sharply, his gaze
still on me. “Who said you don’t belong here?”
“No one!” I replied hurriedly, scared less that he might start confronting some
of my friends who are also trainees under YG Entertainment because of this. “Then
where did you get that ing ridiculous idea?” He fired back as if truly insulted by
the idea that I don’t think I belong here. I scrubbed a hand to my face in frustration.
How exactly do I explain this without making him more upset than he already is? “No
one said I don’t belong here. It’s just a feeling I get at times. Like right now. I mean
I’m not really jaw droppingly talented at anything.” I ticked off in my fingers the
list of things that as I said before I am only perfectly adequate at. “Take for instance
singing, I can sing sure but it’s not as amazing as Kira’s voice. I’m not as good as Bill
when it comes to dancing and don’t even get me started at my acting. I don’t know.
Sometimes I wonder why Boss took me in the first place.”
“You know there are moments when I just wanted to not go to training just because I
feel so little in comparison to the others. There was actually a time that I wished Kira
wasn’t so adorable. Maybe I could bear going to my training with the knowledge that
although she might be good, she’s still a total and I could hate her easily. But
Kira is lovely and I really like her. I just feel like crap when she opens and
starts singing.” I laughed sardonically at my confession. Looking down at my fingers
I feel ashamed to confessing such feelings and insecurity to Tabi Oppa. I was
surprised however when he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and gave me a
comforting squeeze instead of scolding me as I expected he would. “I know it’s hard
to believe. Especially since I’m so amazing at everything that I do.” He started giving
me an exaggerated wink which I can’t help but laugh at. “But I also get those
feelings. I experience it too and not only me but many artists who constantly battle
with themselves to become the best. Those feelings of insecurity will not disappear
overnight and the only way you could ignore them is by using it as motivation to
strive better.” I recalled Teddy Oppa’s words to me awhile ago and nodded as I
listened attentively to what my sunbae had to say about my problems. “As for
comparing yourself to other people, don’t.” At this he gave me a piercing look. “That
will only fuel your insecurities and will only make you feel bad, ok?” I nodded
obediently and took to heart what he’s saying. I’m sure it’s not going to be easy but I
feel much better now that I’ve told someone about my problems. And I’m glad it was
Tabi Oppa I confessed to. “So from now on, don’t ever, ever think that you don’t
belong here because believe me, Sajangnim doesn’t accept people randomly. There’s
something special about you and he saw that and made him want to train you to excel
in it. Besides…” Tabi Oppa removed his arm from around me to start hoisting himself
up from the floor and to help me up as well. “… I thought that we agreed you’re
going to be the next female version of me?” I grinned and shook my head at his
boyish pout after I stood up to my full height. “I changed my mind, I want to be the
next female version of Dok2 instead.” He mock glared at me and stormed out of the
locker rooms in a huff making me laugh as I followed him outside with a cry
of, “Oppa! I was just kidding!”
Hi! So I've been out for a really LONG time and I apologize for that. Here's a really long update for you as my peace offering. :3
In this update you get to see more of Norah's relationship with Teddy and Tabi/ Top who she considers as her older brothers (two of the four actually, jump back to the chapter The Prince of Laidback and his Four Knights to read more about it).
I hope you like it and that their characters are not too out of character especially Teddy and Tabi. Thank you for reading and subscribing, I would really love to hear what you think of how the story is going so far :) I'll update as soon as I can, hopefully within the week since my finals are going to end within this week
- Rexiefauliks
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