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006.2: Nation

 

MINHO---

 

Comeback plans has already been scheduled and everyone has been pretty psyched about it. Sure it would be one hell of torture to our sleep cycles but you can’t everything you want. Everything comes with a price.

 

Other than the comeback plans lingering inside my head, there was the girl. Yup! A girl who refused to give us her name. If Key and Jonghyun found out I’m thinking about some girl, they would throw a party on my behalf. They believe I’d gone celibate or worse gone the other way (if you know what I mean). But, this isn’t of the things where I keep thinking about some mysterious girl because I like her or she’s pretty. Somehow, her bravery and presence touched me immensely.

 

She was a little strange, now that I thought about it. When she saved me, it looked like she didn’t care about her safety. As if she cared about mine, more. From what I could remember that night, one of the members identified her as the bartender. She was even hesitant to let us help her. Like she was scared about something. She even covered her face as much as possible. In the party, she wore a mask. It could be that she was hesitant because she felt safe under a mask. Everything about her was strange, but maybe I was just thinking too much about it.

 

There was something about her I can’t point out that felt definitely familiar. Déjà vu. Could be. It was also possible that she was familiar because I talked to her at the party. Maybe.

 

After a spending most of my time at the gym I rushed home despite Eunhyuk hyung’s invitation to drink with the other Super Junior hyungs. I happened to see them working out as well. The offer was tempting but the allure of my bed in our new house won in the battle.  It was only a few months ago, when the management thought we could finally have our own house to ourselves. The other idols have their own as well, and it was granted to them just a year before. I was happy that we finally had the same luxury they had.

 

I drove straight home with my own car. Can you believe it! Finally Sooman finally allowed all of us drive our own cars. When TVXQ received permission I was so jealous. I knew back then that I was too young to have my own car and if I did, it was dangerous to be alone. There was always the paparazzi and fans to take into consideration. 

 

Now, I can safely cruise around the city because I’m old enough.

 

It took me thirty minutes to reach our house-SHINee’s. The house was at the edge of the city where there was enough privacy for its residence. We live in a three-story house which was equipped with a dance studio for everyone to use and a recording studio was usually used by Jonghyun-hyung and Onew-hyung. Each member had been given their own rooms and all of us were contented.

 

I parked my car and took out my duffel bag before heading inside. My hand reached out for my pocket and took the house key. When I came in, I only heard the television on. There were no sounds coming from the kitchen nor the rest of the group greeting me.

 

I only saw Onew who was relaxing in the living room when I entered. He didn’t even look up when I came. When I came closer, I realized he fell asleep while watching. There was a great chance that he did an all-nighter in preparing for another musical.

 

Instead of waking him, I just turned off the television and covered him with a blanket just in case he gets cold. There should be someone to watch over him considering how clumsy he is. Sometimes, I pray that his lucky lady would come already so the rest of us will be saved from looking out for him. Onew-hyung is just a poster child for injuries.

 

I, too, soon felt the exhaustion from working out. My body felt tired and there was nothing I exchange for a good night sleep. I slept like a bear the moment my head touched my pillow.

 

After a few hours of uninterrupted rest, Key knocked on my door. “Oi Minho Get up or else you won’t be able to sleep later on.”

 

I chuckled.“ Trust me when I say I can no matter how much sleep I had before.”

 

“Just get up and eat. The others are already finishing most of our dinner.”

 

“Good Evening Hyung” Taemin greeted as soon I was on sight.

 

“Evening” I answered just as I sat beside him and raced with the others on grabbing some chicken. I can never be too careful. We know how possessive Onew-hyung is with his favourite meat.

 

“Yah! Minho stop hogging the chicken!” I got distracted that gave Onew hyung an opportunity to steal a chicken from my pile on my plate.

 

“Hyung!” I glared.

 

“What?” he asked looking too innocent even when the evidence was evident in his mouth.

 

“Can you just stop stealing MY chicken on MY plate?”

 

“Can’t promise that”

 

“You have to or else I’ll ask manager hyung to ban chicken for a MONTH” I smiled evilly.

 

Horror struck on our leader’s face. “You wouldn’t dare”

 

“Uh-oh Be careful with that Onew hyung. You know Minho does love a challenge” Key pointed out with his chopsticks.

 

“Point taken.”

 

“Now, would you hand over the chicken you stole.” I asked for it like I was scolding a child for taking something he shouldn’t have. Due to the circumstances with Onew hyung, it certainly look like that. Me and the rest of the members thought he would give in but we were all wrong.

 

“Too late.” He said and gulped the remaining piece of the chicken he just took from me.

 

Taemin stared at our leader and shook his head.“Seriously Hyung you have to control that love relationship with chicken”

 

“Maybe that’s why even up to this day, he couldn’t find himself a girlfriend” Key teased.

 

“Wow. Harsh.” Jonghyun hyung whistled quietly.

 

“Enough about me and talk about something else.” Onew hyung commanded weakly. His face was flushed in embarrassment. He absentmindedly shoved a large piece of kimchi on his mouth too quickly, which made him choke a little.

 

Key slap his back. “Sometimes I wonder why you’re the leader”

 

I snickered. Onew hyung whipped his head at me and glared. My eyes immediately looked somewhere else and continued chewing my food.

 

During the rest of dinner, most of the things we talked about was the upcoming schedule that we will be having.

 

“Is it true that by the end of next week, the comeback plans would be finalized?” Jonghyun hyung asked our leader. “I heard the stylist coordinator talking about the new clothes for the comeback”

 

“Manager-hyung did mention it to me” Onew replied with his mouth full of rice.

 

“What do you think will our concept be? ” Key has a fascination with anything related to art especially to fashion. Comeback concepts was under the category.

 

“Rumours say it will be fallen angels or dark angels” I told them.

 

“That’s totally different from the Romeo and Juliette concept last time.” Key’s eyes glimmered in delight like a child being hinted about his gift on his birthday.

 

“From the light concept of a Romeo, who is a hopeless romantic to a dark side of an angel- the fallen ones. Sooman-nim really likes us to get killed.” Taemin shook his head. Even though he is the youngest, his insight on issues are a great help.

 

We all silently agreed. “Girls do love the forbidden and unattainable” I said.

 

“Like us” Taemin beamed.

 

“Minus the supernatural beings nor the Romeo-types.” Jonghyun chuckled.

 

It was a private joke among us about popular we are with women and some men.

 

“Jjong. You are the hopeless romantic type like the star-crossed lover, Romeo. Your relationship with Sekyung noona is the proof of it.” Onew reminded him.

 

“Like you guys aren’t” Jjong hyung retaliated while rolling his eyes.

 

I think a beer.

 

------------

Hae Jin

 

That same day when my conniving best friend received her acceptance letter, JYPE called me for another audition. They wanted to see me personally for formality and to be introduced to the rest of the crew I would be working with. I just hope the routines wouldn’t be too cutesy for my taste.

 

For the interview, Carol managed my over-all style for the day. I had one hell of an argument with her as she meddled with my clothes.

 

As I look at the building in front of me, I couldn’t help myself but to think whether I was dreaming or not. It has been far too long since I’ve stepped near an entertainment company. Even Carol doesn’t have a clue about my past. All she knows is that I have no longer have anyone but myself in this world.

 

JYP building is as magnificent as SM. One couldn’t help but acknowledge the success they have from the time it was established. I breathed in before going inside the building. Just as how the building was on the outside, the interior of the building was much more. Expensive pieces were laid out in the lobby, looking like an art gallery. There were numerous lounge chairs for visitors and a reception desk in the middle. Numerous people were scattered around the room looking different from the other. Some were wearing suits while others were wearing either casual or sweats. Just by looking at the others, it was no doubt that they were trainees. It’s amazing how even when I have been out of the business for a long time, I still have the ability to spot trainees with a glance.

 

My feet brought me to the reception desk where I was greeted by a woman. I told her about my interview as a dancer for the company. She politely asked me to wait as she made a few calls. It didn’t take long when she asked me which direction I should go. I bowed before I left and proceeded to my destination. I stepped inside the elevator and pressed 11. There was no one else but me inside. When the door was about to close, a hand reached out to stop the door from closing. It was a man and he looked as if he ran a mile. Probably, he was running late. He quickly entered the lift and bowed as an apology. He didn’t pressed any key and waited for the lift to close. My eyes stayed glued to stare at the stranger. Despite the sweat trickling down the side of his face, he was still undeniably handsome and oddly familiar. He saw me looking at him and gave me a polite smile. I couldn’t help but return also a smile. That was when I decided I had to look away. My eyes met a poster plastered on the elevator which the model was awfully identical to the man standing beside me.

 

He was a celebrity. To be exact, I just remembered why he was extremely familiar. Blame it to my best friend who refers the guy’s group her husband, though this guy was her most special one.

 

“Khun”

 

“Uh, Yes?” he answered with a blinding smile on his face.

 

Oops! I didn’t think I would say his name aloud. I mentally scolded myself before facing his direction with an embarrassed expression. “Did I say it out loud?”

 

He chuckled. “You did.”

 

“Oh.” My mouth formed a small o and looked away in embarrassment.

 

There was an awkward silence between us soon after.

 

At last! I finally reached the 11th floor and approached the secretary’s desk. The idol guy- Nichkhun was also on the same floor as I am. He went ahead and went inside in one of the rooms. I told the woman behind the desk about my appointment. She made a phone call before directing me to a room right next to where the Khun guy went.

 

I bowed and thanked the woman before going.

 

No one was inside when I entered. It was a dance studio with mirrors on one side that was opposite of the room where Carol’s hubby went to. The other side of the wall parallel to the mirrors was placed with wood panels that was the shade if a freshly cut lumber. I looked at my watch and confirmed that I was at the right time and place.

 

I examined the whole room before preparing myself just in case they wanted a demonstration to prove I’m capable. People in the entertainment industry could be indecisive; one moment they like you and the next thing they’ll do is pack your things and kick you out with a single hint of remorse. The industry is truly a frightening place to be in but I can’t seem to get away from it. The blame should be on my passion for performing, no matter how little my participation could be in it.

 

When I finished stretching, music blared through the speakers hanging on each top corner of the room. It was playing Timbaland’s If we ever meet again featuring Katy Perry. I could feel the music pulsing through my skin. It made me giddy and heightened my awareness. Right then and there I felt like a teenage soul wanting to dance all day long just like when I finally discovered one of my passions.

 

Still, there was no one else in the room except for me. I realized this interview may be some kind of test. They must have been serious and in a hurry to have me skip the long and gruelling process of auditions to check how capable I am without any preparation whatsoever. I shook off the thought that it was some kind of crazy test, though the pull of the song was hard to resist. Without anymore thought, I started to move my body to the rhythm telling a fun interpretation of the song.

 

I imagined myself as the girl in the song meeting the love of her life in a place so weird to fall in love at first sight. My imagination created a whole new place in me where I envisioned meeting the guy I wanted and wondered when will I see him again. Dancing came by naturally and I was having fun.

 

At the end of the song, the beat changed and I also changed my style. From sassy and fun, I concentrated on the beats and melody that made me switch to hip-hop. I posed in front of the mirror just as the song ended.

 

Beads of sweat came trickling on the side of my face and my breathing was labored. I held onto the pose a moment longer and tried to catch my breath. It was one hell of an impromptu routine but I was satisfied of what I did. I knew there were parts where I wanted to change the steps or improved. I still have a lot to learn but I’m glad I was able to do the most important thing about dancing, which was having fun in the process. My mind immediately tried to recall what I just did and thought of the improvements I could do with it. While thinking, I didn’t notice the speakers went quiet.

 

Applauses resounded the room when I snapped out of my thoughts. Damn! I literally forgot about the personal interview! I whipped my head towards the door and saw not only one but 9 people which included the idol I just met not long ago. I recognized most of them; 2pm and Park Jinyoung- CEO, while the other two would probably were employees.

 

My face rushed with color. This was another embarrassment to add in my resume and very unprofessional. I was sticky and I bet my hair was already all over the place - definitely not interview-ready.

 

“I-I-I’m sorry” I bowed hiding my face. “I’m very sorry”

 

They all laughed, which made me embarrassed more so than I already was.

 

“No need to apologize. In fact, you were just the girl we needed.” It was the CEO himself who spoke. He approached me with a smile. I was rooted where on my feet unable to believe my eyes that I was seeing the CEO in front of me.

 

“Am I right?” he asked from behind him, where the other people he came with, remained. All of them answered yes and smile in satisfaction.

 

My voice remained to appear nowhere and I could answer them with any reply. I think I went into shock.

 

One of the 2pm members, Wooyoung-I think, seemed to understand my silence spoke. “JYP-hyung I think she went into shock”

 

Those words woke me in my trance and I shook my head to help myself to regain composure. “Ho-how long were you all watching me?” I managed to force out of my mouth with the smallest confidence I had at the moment.

 

With a smile, JYP answered me. “Well dear, from the moment you set foot inside this room. You did beautifully.”

 

“Huh? I don’t understand. I was supposed to be here for an interview.” The call specifically said it was a ‘personal interview’. This was confusing.

 

“Well the interview was actually a test if you are capable enough to join. You really did exceptionally well” It was the big guy with an obvious canine teeth in 2pm who just praised me.

 

I can’t believe they liked my I thought my face wouldn’t turn in a deeper shade of red than it already was, but it did thanks to Taecyon’s compliment. Carol always mentioned how buff and tall this guy was. Then I remembered him mentioning me joining something.

 

“Taecyon, you’re spoiling it. Let the boss continue. We’ll get to know her eventually.” The Rain-look-a-like elbowed him. Taecyon grunted playfully and messed up the other guy’s hair.

 

“But, there was no one here when I came?” I told them.

 

Khun or more specifically Nichkhun pointed at the mirror in the room and filled me in on what I was missing. “Behind the mirror”

 

Another surprised expression swam on my face and looked at the mirror. There was nothing different about the mirror but then I managed to piece it together.“So… you saw everything I did behind the mirror? The room adjacent to this one could see through the mirror?”

 

“You got it right! We were a little unsure that you’ll do your thing without any instruction. JYP just took his chance. He said it would be good to see your potential without any pressure and he was definitely right.” It was Junsu who spoke. I remember his name because of his great vocal skills.

 

“I still don’t understand the reason for ‘this’” The whole test was pretty weird. I was applying for a dancer and yet they were treating me like a special case.

 

“Didn’t you know?” JYP’s expression had the same confused expression I had.

 

“Know what?”

 

“You sent an application for a spot in the new line-up of dancers in 2pm’s comeback which is less than 2 months.”

 

“My best friend stole one of my videos and sent the application without me knowing until a letter of acceptance came. She just convince me to give it a go and take the chance.” I explained with a nonchalant expression.

 

“Ah… I see. I’m glad you decided to give it a try” his face beamed.

 

“I’m glad I did too” I returned a smile and let out a relief. “what’s next?”

 

“Well… you’ll be training with the boys first”

 

“Okay?” I answered with a sceptical look on my face. “Am I supposed to be training with the other dancers?”

 

“You my dear have a different purpose. You’re going to be the female lead or to simply put it, you’ll be the center of attention with the boys for this comeback”

 

Oh my Lord! This is a dream right? 

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Wohoo! I finally managed to finish part 2!

It might not be the most interesting or better yet productive chapter but I promise you the next update marks the true chaos of my story!

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