Seokmin stood in front of the full-length mirror and stared at himself critically. The dye in his hair was just starting to fade but he’d styled it the way Joshua had taught him. It curled up nicely away from his forehead and he gave it a last minute spray with hairspray so it didn’t flop on the way over to the auditorium. He was wearing a thin white t-shirt with a deep v-neck and a pair of blue ripped jeans. It wasn’t at all what he would have chosen for an audition but Joshua had convinced him that it was the right look for Grease and he trusted him implicitly.

His fingers wandered to the beautiful gems hanging from his neck. The soft blue and purple birthstones glittered in the poorly lit dorm room and he smiled a little. At least when the next few weeks were over he would have this. He would have his memories, his first boyfriend, his first kiss. His first gift of jewellery and his first party and his first audition. Joshua had been responsible for bringing so many firsts into his life. He wasn’t quite confident yet but Joshua had certainly imparted within him a much kinder way of thinking about himself. And as he stood in front of the mirror and inspected himself critically he smiled. He looked good and he was able to admit it.

“Hey,” a voice from behind him startled him from his musings and he turned to see his elusive dorm mate eyeing him from the doorway. “Good luck today,’ Jihoon said and Seokmin smiled. “How did you know? He asked and Jihoon rolled his eyes. “I’m the director. Of the musical. It’s my second year in charge.” Seokmin was surprised but he and Jihoon moved in different worlds and didn’t really know each other at all. They’d only been dorm roommates this year and he’d barely spoken to the guy who was never home anyway. To his surprise Jihoon walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve heard you singing in the shower. You’ll be great.” He was gone before Seokmin even had a chance to thank him.

He gathered his things and walked out into the corridor before being met by Hansol and Seungkwan. “Support team is here!” Seungkwan announced loudly as he handed Seokmin a hot honey and lemon tea and almost ruffled his hair. “You look great,” Hansol said as they began to walk. “So where is Joshua anyway? I was sure he was the one coming to watch you.” “Something came up,” Seokmin said quickly, “something he couldn’t get out of.”

He sipped the soothing hot tea as they walked towards the auditorium. Seokmin went cold when they walked in and he saw how many people were lined up but he was distracted