It was just another tiresome day as Taeyeon heads back to the dorm. She imagines herself twisting the doorknob, the door opens, she sees herself flopping down on the bed, sweaty clothes still on, she breathes in the scent of the newly laundered bed sheets and drifts off into a mild nap, too tired to even completely take her sneakers off so she sleeps with a shoe on.

But to her surprise, she wasn’t alone. There was a girl inside her room, back facing her; she studies the girl who was innocently and unintentionally snooping  around Taeyeon’s  desk. She wanted to alert the girl, who was probably a new trainee, of her presence but like most days, she was too tired to do anything else after practice. She sighed heavily, causing her bag pack to slip off her shoulders and fall on the floor with a loud thud.

The girl jerks back from looking at Taeyeon’s belongings and turns around.

They stare at each other.

Taeyeon’s eyebrows were blatantly impassive and dismal; the initial shock of having a new roommate other than Sunkyu had sank in her consciousness. On the other hand, the new girl was fidgeting with her hands and feet, lip drawn tight and eyebrows somewhat raised with worry, a feature Taeyeon found strangely adorable. She set the thought aside.

“I’m so…sorry , I was just looking around, I didn’t mean to snoop” the girl explained in unbelievably smooth English.

Taeyeon’s eyes widened for a bit, disbelieving what she just heard. She hated it in school and now this girl she’s about to share a room with speaks it so fluently it makes her ears fall off.

English

. She thought

She exhaled and with what meager English skills she has, managed to say a crooked ‘It’s okay’, somehow understanding what the girl was implying with the way she gestured her hands, pointing it at Taeyeon’s things, doing a swift  double wave with her hands and a head shake. Taeyeon proceeded to her bed, the girl retreated back to her side of the room, looking at Taeyeon, expectant but cautious.

***

It wasn’t an easy thing any fifteen year old could do, to risk everything tangible you have and flee to another country which language you don’t even know how to speak. Then again, Stephanie isn’t an average fifteen year old. Stephanie is different, she dreamed, aimed high and when fate gave her an opportunity, with no hesitation, she grabbed it with haste even if that meant pleading and bickering with her father, convincing him to allow her to go. It really wasn’t easy, she’s fifteen and impulsive and impatient, she wants it now.

But of course what kind of parent is he if he allowed his youngest to go forth in that kind of dangerous journey? It’s not even that Stephanie can’t speak Hangeul properly, what about school and education, Stephanie should take up business in college or law, he knows very well that his daughter wanted to be a lawyer, he’d gladly agree with that. But this?

What? An idol? What nonsense. What would she become after being an idol? Retrograde into some mediocre office worker? Impossible. Why can’t Stephanie just follow her sister’s footsteps into business? Even Leo’s into business. He blamed himself for spoiling Stephanie too much, What can he do? The girl was his youngest and the girl lost her mother at the tender age of eleven.

He still remembers the day Stephanie came home beaming and so ecstatic it made everyone in the household feel oddly fizzy because of her wide smile and her eyes that smile along whenever Stephanie smiles. At dinner, Stephanie munches on steak and mashed potato while constantly telling stories of her audition spree and how she won first place and how she wanted to become the next BoA and how credible the company is, having produced so many popular artists.

“I will work very hard and be famous!!!” she roars after finishing a glass of juice. Michelle looks at her sister endearingly, then to their father’s suddenly stern expression, she looks down and continues to eat.

“Miyoungie, don’t forget oppa when you become popular, okay?” Leo says, smiling that same smile, encouraging her sister.

“Get my autograph now while you still can, Oppa” Stephanie jokes. Leo laughs along, only to be interrupted by their father clearing his throat and giving Leo a meaningful look as if to say ‘do not tolerate her further’

“Miyoung! Stop talking and finish your meal.” Their father barks, leaving the air with lingering authority. Stephanie nodded and everyone ate without another word.

He also couldn’t forget the three whole days Stephanie acted as if he didn’t exist after he opposed her decision to continue training in Korea. In those three days Stephanie didn’t speak nor acknowledged him, she just cooped herself up in her room listening to Korean pop music on full volume and watching music videos on her laptop. She’ll only ever get out for bathroom breaks and in meal times, she’d get a miniscule serving and eat upstairs.

Ah, women and their silent treatment. It never gets old in any given situation, he thought.

It was a pleasant morning at the Hwang’s household as Mr. Hwang heads for the door to collect the daily paper when he saw an envelope addressed to her daughter Stephanie. For the longest time, he pondered, the coffee he was holding had gone cold. He emitted a deep and loud sigh before climbing the stairs whilst scratching his head using one of the pointed tips of the envelope.

“This came in today” he said, leaning against Stephanie’s doorframe.

The girl didn’t move, she had her back turned to him.

“It was from that company you auditioned for…: he rattled off, eyes narrowing on the white envelope as he read the company name with difficulty. He had forgotten his spectacles downstairs.

Just by mentioning that a letter had come in for her made Stephanie flinch, It had been four days and they’re probably waiting for her confirmation. She wanted to cry and lash out at her father, He could’ve just thrown it away since he’s not allowing Stephanie to go anyway, so why must he go in there and make it seem like a slap on the face.

It’s over, my dream, it hasn’t even started yet but it’s already over. She thought.

They’ll give that opportunity to someone else, probably to the second runner up whose name Stephanie didn’t bother remembering because at that moment, she was living the dream. She won and staff after staff kept interviewing her for recruitment and things her young mind couldn’t comprehend, but the focal point was she’s going to attend the training proper in Korea under the company and hopefully debut as an idol, they told her not to worry about schooling because there’s a foreign educational institution for her and the company would cover all the fees and the only things she’ll have to focus on is  work hard and try to make it big.

Her dream was so close yet so far. quick waste.

She shifted, an audible sniffle was heard within the four corners of her room.

“Three conditions…” Mr. Hwang sighed in defeat.

Stephanie’s sobs stopped abruptly and her heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, her eyes went big, Is she really hearing what she’s hearing?

“You have to call, as often as you can…” he started. Stephanie bit back a smile, listening attentively knowing she had completely won him over.

“Whenever there’s free time, or if there isn’t, I don’t care, you have to make a way. Always, always call. Second, schooling. I want you to study hard and get good grades even though you’re training. In that way, if ever you don’t make it in the industry at least you’ve got somewhere else to go. Lastly, Influences. I know children and teenagers in Korea are harmless compared with the ones here in America. Choose your friends wisely, I don’t want to hear anything about you being involved in fights, drugs, anything illegal and do not talk to boys, Miyoung, I am telling you, if you’re going to have a boyfriend, you should be at least 25 years old and already accomplished something in life, plus, I have to meet that person.” He scoffed.

Stephanie’s smile can’t be contained, she had her victory and she was rejoicing inside. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I am going to Korea! I am going to Korea! She sing-songed inside her mind, toes curling in anticipation under the blanket.

“If you ever break one of those conditions, God forgive but I will drag you back here in Diamond Bar.” He finished, nodding his now aching head. He turned away to get back to his breakfast downstairs when arms tinier than his wrapped around his abdomen.

“Thank you Daddy!!! Thank you!!! I promise I will follow all of those” Stephanie said with her usual excitable loud voice. He knew she was smiling to no end even if he couldn’t see it. He placed his hand on her daughter’s arms, rubbing them lovingly.

“Alright, alright, go pack your bags you’ll be leaving the next day”

Stephanie dashed back to her room.

“I’m gonna be a staaar!!! I’m gonna be a staar!! Yeah!!” Stephanie’s voice was loud enough, the words can be heard several blocks away. And for the first time ever, her father smiled at the thought.

A/N Hello there beautiful creatures! (yes the movie) lol. As you know Tiff and her family lived in Diamond Bar, LA. So for those who are wondering what the hell and where the hell is D.Bar, it's in LA, and it's fany's hometown, i used a lot of '!!!!!' on fany's dialogues cause we all know how loud she is, and it adds character so don't think i only put that randomly. And... for fany's siblings. Older sis is Michelle (i dont have any info about her) but her bro, leo, lives here in the Philippines! :D lucky me. anyway, here are the pics:

Michelle:

and here's Leo( i have gifs):

http://www.asianfanfics.com/blog/view/518638

Hope you liked the update! :D AND TALK TO ME OH MY GOD!!!!