Days passed, months, they no longer kept track of time. All they knew was they were happy of what's going on between them.

The auditions were days away, and they were preoccupied with practice. Despite the upcoming event, the two of them still managed to spend most of their times together. They actually took advantage of the situation  to stick with one another even more. 

The school declared that there will be no classes to give way for the students to practice. Much to their delight, the two of them plus the rest of the gang would usually hangout in one of the practice rooms. 

The room wasn't theirs nor did they rent it, but the students were the ones who told them to use it and no one dared to enter it. It was like an unwritten law for the students, and they didn't complain. They looked at the group so highly and with respect. 

Jessica was at first hesitant. The girls were actually. Even from the start, they didn't like the special treatment the student-body were giving them. On the other hand, the boys were enjoying it. However, when they saw the hesitation on the faces of the girls, they asked what's the matter, and when the girls answered, that was then when they realized that they were somehow taking advantage of it. 

Then and there, the boys started to look at the girls differently. No one can blame them. Judging people before actually getting to know them, although it's bad, is just part of our human nature. 

At first, they expected them to act, well, like them-- smug and confident. But they were proven wrong. The girls were nothing like them. Them being popular is what they have in common, but the way they treat people admiring them is opposing. 

The boys were enlightened and were willing to tell their admirers that they can't take the room, however, the other students insisted, saying that they wouldn't be able to use the room for themselves either since it was big and wouldn't be ideal to be used by only a small number of people unlike them who could fully utilize it. 

They didn't have any logical answer to that, even Seohyun had a hard time thinking of what she could possibly say to argue back. 

So there they are. They ended up using it for themselves. But they made sure that the other students know that they can join them if they want. 

The studio almost had a complete set of materials both for dancing and singing. And was, true to what they said, big enough to accommodate all of them. The mirror was big enough for 4-5 people to be able to practice at the same time, and the two semi-cubicles with musical equipment were able to allow 4 people to practice. 

Hyoyeon and Eunhyuk were busy choreographing their individual pieces while Sooyoung and Yuri were taking a break as they have just finished practicing. 

"These dimwits", said Teuk. Yuri, Sooyoung, Hyo, Hyuk, Sunny, Taeyeon, Sica and Hae looked at Teuk with question written all over their faces. Teuk pointed his fingers to the two loverboys who were sticking their heads to the wall where Seo and Tiff were busy practicing their singing.

After seeing them, everyone bursts out laughing, catching the attention of the two boys who turned crimson when they realized they were the ones that evoked the laughter. 

Their heads were down as they walked their way to the other side of the room, far from the two cubicles that has caused their humiliation. Not long after, the two girls came out, clueless as to the happenings outside, and laughter erupted and the two boys turned red, once again. 

The singing area was vacant then after, and it only took a look from both Hae and Sica for them to tell each other to go there. Everyone exchanged looks, but did not utter any word as to not make the situation odd, since things are going smoothly between the two of them. 

The other couple, Taeyeon and Teuk decided to use the other one. However, Tae saw Sunny at one corner of the room, all by herself, so she called her and invited her to join in. She and Teuk offered to help her practice, much to her delight. 

Inside the room, Hae and Sica have created their own world, separated from everyone else. It was just the two of them. When they entered, they just sat side by side, silence surrounding them. But it was not the type of silence that was awkward, it was more of a comfortable one that they prefer to embrace rather than get worked up on.

They didn't know how it happened, but they just saw that their hands were intertwined-- but no one's complaining. Sica felt all giddy inside while Hae was palpitating as he tries to show a calm demeanor.

At some point, they decided that they should make use of the room and start to practice, that's how Jessica ended up singing one of her favorite songs, a song that would be able to speak the words that she would not be brave enough to utter.

It takes the influence of alcohol for her to gather the much needed courage to be able to speak what her sober heart wants to put into words. 

But she have already made up her mind. She would no longer go back to her old self who was dependent on liquor for strength, safety and escape. No. Not anymore. She's going to stand up for herself-- be courageous by herself. 

Of course, she's not that brave yet. Hehe. So here she is, singing her way to bravery. 

With every beat that the song has played s it started, she her heart starts to thump crazily. 

With a heavy deep breath, she began...

In my darkest times, you're my burning light
You guide the way, like fireflies
When tears cloud my eyes, you hear my cries
Wave your flags up high, like satellites

When I was barely holding on
And I was down, you held me up
I fought it through the universe
Till you break out through the sky like the stars you are
 

It was true though. He was there when she was at her lowest. He was there to hold her when she almost lost her life. He was there when she was crying her eyes out, even though he might not remember her. He was there when she almost lost all her hope.

Today, today today
I'll be thanking you for being by my side
Every minute, second, forever
You'll be a part of me till the end of time 

Ooh...
 

She was thankful for all those times. Truly, she was. She couldn't imagine where she would still be if it wasn't for him. She might still be that ruined drunkard who relies on some booze to escape reality and temporarily walk away from pain. 

Your love is strong, it brings me alive
As we grew in time, our hearts became one
You'll never know, behind my smile
I wanna tell you, you're my golden sky

When I was barely holding on
And I was down, you held me up
I fought it through the universe
Till you break out through the sky like the stars you are

Today, today today
I'll be thanking you for being by side
Every minute, second, forever
You'll be a part of me till the end of time 

Ooh...

Today, today today
I'll be thanking you for being by side
Every minute, second, forever
You'll be a part of me till the end of time 

Ooh...

In my golden sky
You're my shining light

If before she was focusing on the ground, seeming like she's serenading the floor, now, she's looking him straight in the eyes, trying to convey the message she so desperately wants him to get. She was nervous at first, but then she finally felt herself let loose as her heart gained more courage for every word that had escaped her lips. 

The last beat has passed and silence has taken over, but their eyes were still locked to one another. Neither one of them wanted to break the eye contact, but of course, someone, at some point, has to lose and break it. It was Hae who ended it, his eyes were starting to tear up, but deep inside, he never wanted to end it. 

If possible, he wanted to get lost in those set orbs, and drown in the ocean that was her eyes.

He felt like every word she said was meant for him. He wanted to feel like it was really for him.

He looked at her again, and saw how her whole face was red, even her ear. He knew for a fact though that he appears the same. 

"Was that song for me?", he thought to himself. 

With an awkward cough, he tried to get her to look at him. After the cough, he panicked because he had no freaking idea what to do next? 

"What should I say? I should've thought about this first before I did that. Stupid, Hae.", he was going hysterical in his mind and was scolding himself at the same time. 

"That was amazing.", was the first thing that he blurted out.

Jessica's head snaps back up to look at him. A disappointed smile came creeping on her face. "'That was amazing'? That's all he can say?" But she stopped herself from further feeling negatively? How could she? What did she expect anyway? That he would confess his undying love for her after hearing her sing? She must be nuts. 

"Thanks.", was all she could say.

He could feel that there was something wrong. He mentally slapped himself 'cause he knew that it had something to do with what he said. 

"I have to fix this. Think of something Hae. Thiiiiiink!", he mentally screamed at himself. 

"I mean you were amazing. You always are."

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BOOM SHAKALAKAAAAAAA! AND THAT'S HOW YOU FIX IT. *mic drop*