"So, what now?" he asked, following me around the house.

"What what now? I don't understand Dad." I replied, completely puzzled. 

"Do you have to go to Korea next?" He asked with force behind his words, his eyes staring right through my soul. Argh...Mum told him.

"So? Korea?" He repeated, determined to get an immediate answer.

"I only go if I get chosen!" I reply, annoyed at his tone. 'if' - The word hurt to be said. I knew deep down that chances were slim...but to face the music like this...I don't want to begin doubting myself just 1 day after my audition.

"That's what I'm worried about!" He pointed out, "You have so much experience in music, which I'm sure will affect your marks."

Heh. Music experience...wouldn't I like to exchange some of it for better looking parents.

"And how do you know this isn't a scam?!" He questioned, continuing his shower of questions. "How many people were there?"

"Dad, if nearly 1000 people turned up, I'd doubt it'd be a scam. Also, there were official signs and other things that prove that this is the right company." I explain. 

"Ok. Well, what if they send you to Korea and then sell you on the black market?" His questions get more and more absurd.

"You watch way too much movies."

"Things like this have happened before! Some wannabe signs a contract, goes overseas and then they are never heard of again." His last sentence moves something within me, and I think of S.M's 13-year Slave Contracts and long Trainee lives. Yeah, even if I do get chosen...how long will it take for me to debut? Will I get lucky and debut after 1 year? Or pushed to the back, training for 7 years? Or even forgotten and never get a chance to debut? I don't want to think about it.

"Dad, it's Korea's top entertainment company."

"What about school?" He attacks from a different angle.

"They pay for it. They also pay for my training, dorms, and living expenses." Seems like a pretty good deal - one may even graduate before they even debut. What about school? What about school? Isn't everything I'm studying just a way to get closer to music?

"Yeah right. Such a good deal doesn't exist."

"We'll find out after 1 month won't we." I challenge, confidently staring him down. 

___________

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