As promised he took me out to the park again which was fun I’ve always loved sitting on the swings and just talking.  But we ended up back at his apartment to test out more of his recipes.  I didn’t mind though we were back to being good and usually when everything was good it was really good.  And honestly free food was a plus.  Same with the rest of the week, though for a bit I was convinced he was attempting to fatten me up or something because he wouldn’t stop talking about how I had gotten too skinny.  Excuse me for finally being happy with my weight.  Thanks for making me self-conscious about myself again.  Okay so maybe we aren’t that fantastic right now.  But I could pretend for a little while until we were.

“Would you pay attention girl?  I’m trying to tell you about my date stop pouting and pretend to be interested darn you.”

Smacking Skyler’s hand away from my face I pouted a bit in annoyance.  “It technically wasn’t even a date!  Just because you helped your mentor’s brother with his aerials does not make it a date.”  Over the week he automatically clicked with his mentor.  So much so, that they met up at an outside studio to help her brother improve.  I had to admit that I was a little jealous he found it so easy to click with everyone.  I liked my mentor well enough but he was so planning crazy if we didn’t go by the schedule he got really upset and as his pupil I didn’t want to argue with him.

“In dancers’ terms that’s like second base okay!”

“You mean in Skyler’s terms.”

Skyler made the best pouty face that he could and shoved my shoulder making me fall into the couch.  “I swear you want me to be alone forever so not fair.  If you get to walk down the aisle with your perfect Ben then I get to have a date to the wedding.”  I knew he was getting annoyed with Ben but at the same time he understood how comfortable I was with him.

With a little shout of annoyance I shoved Skyler into the couch as well, “He hasn’t even asked me yet so don’t you get my hopes up like that!”

“Aw come on you’ve been dating for nearly three years it’s bound to happen soon.  But wait…what get your hopes up?! Girl, are you telling me you want to already?”
Honestly that was a tricky subject for me.  As much as I cared about Ben and I was certain that I loved him I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to marry him.  Then again I wasn’t quite sure if anyone else wanted to marry me, that is if he wanted to marry me at all.  On top of the fact nearly everyone in my family by the age of twenty-two was already married and popping out babies.  “Well I mean it’s whatever for me but my mom won’t stop freaking out about it.  You know how my family is desperate for Tanner and me to get married.”

Shaking his head in disbelief he picked at one of his nails, inspecting it carefully.  “I’ll never understand your family I swear.  You’d think they’d be happy you don’t wanna rush into marriage or something.”

I really hated thinking about what my parents thought on marriage.  That had gone down the drain once already and now a part of me just wanted to get it over with even though I knew I wasn’t ready.  “Ha yeah well you already know all about that though.”

My face must have betrayed what I was trying to portray as he carefully gave me a side hug, something that usually made me feel ten times better.  Yeah I was easily pleased when it came to hugs and words.  Easily flustered too sometimes.  “True.”

Standing I grabbed his arm and tried to drag him up and though he resisted I was a little bit stronger than him.  “Now up you get boo we’ve got to get back to work lunch time is over!”

Finally I pulled him up and he poked my shoulder a little annoyed as he smoothed out his shirt.  “You’ve been hanging out with me too much.”

“What makes you say that?”

He tapped my nose twice and grinned.  “You said boo.”

Nodding as if there was no significance of it while I grabbed my clipboard full of notes with my schedule that was unfortunately tapped to the bottom I spoke calmly, “Yes, you’re my boo. Are you not my boo anymore?”

“Oh my god I love you.” He clapped his hands excitedly before hugging me tightly. “You’re turning into a mini me this is fantastic.”

Laughing I shoved him towards the hall that led to his dance studio.  “Oh get back to the dance studio I’ve got learning to do and so do you.”

He waved me off easily and gave me a quick hug.  “Alright I’ll meet you back here so we can go to classes afterwards?” 

Nodding slowly I knew what I was about to say was either going to make him pitch a fit or congratulate Jae-Sun.  “Yeah but I don’t have tutoring tonight so I’ll head back here early okay?  Oppa has a date with that doctor again.”

He blinked a few times and pursed his lips before my words seemed to sink in.  “Bwoh?!  He best check himself!” Snapping his fingers he started to reach for my phone.  “Your education is more important than a stupid doctor.  Especially with this internship and the showcase coming up next semester he needs to get his in ge-”

Pushing his hand away and glancing around to make sure that no one was paying attention I whispered, “Sky calm down it was by my suggestion besides this gives me a chance to let me convince Chin-hwa to start playing with the equipment.  You know he’s got a Mac?  With the new Lion system already?  Do you know what I can do with the kinds of programs he’s got on there?” 

The affectionate look returned to his eyes as I bounced up and down just thinking about all the toys that Chin-hwa had made me go crazy with excitement.  “Aigoo you’re like a kid in a candy store. I’ll see you later boo.”  He gave me a quick side hug before running back to the dance room, well practically skipping.  I loved seeing him this excited but sometimes I really wanted to be able to steal some of his energy.  Humming hello goodbye I headed back to the recording studio. 

Just as I turned down the hallway I ran into a few coordinators and after bowing several times and apologizing several times I noticed Beast come up from behind.  All with that same curious expression Kikwang had on the plane.  Speaking of him, he locked eyes with me and opened his mouth to say something but of course I panicked and bowed before darting to the studio.  I heard them behind me explaining to Beast I was a new intern but I didn’t dare look back and tried to keep the frazzled expression off my face when Chin-hwa looked up.  “H-hello.”  I bowed a little nearly smacking myself for almost speaking informally.

He raised a brow and leaned back in his chair, “Are you alright?”  His accent actually wasn’t that bad I was impressed.  Though he needed to work on his short r’s which I knew could be very difficult to pronounce for Korean-English speakers.

Nodding slowly I pulled out some of the things we were working on yesterday and handed him the revisions I made on the chorus I wrote.  “I’m alright just a little upset with myself for being late.”

Once again his brow was up and he didn’t even look at the song as he took it from me.  “But you’re ten minutes early.”

Was I really?  Glancing down at my schedule I remembered half a second later that I had written down the time fifteen minutes before to make sure that I would always be on time.  Okay, make yourself look like a fantastic employee.  “That’s late to me my tutor has always emphasized that being early is better than showing up on time.  He says that you never know when the song needs to be done earlier than the original time.”  Actually Jae-Sun never mentioned that but he didn’t have to know that.

Finally looking down at chorus I wrote a small smile appeared on his face.  “Your tutor knows what he’s talking about then.  But at this level I won’t penalize you for showing up a few minutes late,” he looked up at me with a stern expression, “one or twice any more than that we’ll have to cut you.”  With that warning he looked down at the sheet again.

I had completely forgotten about the elimination process.  Actually I hadn’t even tried to talk to the others who I knew had spent the last week trying to get dirt on each other.  Same with Skyler his fellow dancers were already playing dirty.  I hoped that our mentors and Cube would see that in a good light instead of demanding we do anything to reach the top.  Before I could stop myself I asked, “Has anyone gotten eliminated already?”

“You’re asking me?  I was certain that gossip would get around.”

“Honestly teacher I’ve been too focused on studying to improve to care about what is going on in the break room.”

“I see well I honestly shouldn’t be telling you and tell you to figure it out yourself but since I know you won’t go around trying to snoop and figure out how to get rid of the others I’ll tell you.”  Placing the song on the keyboard of his Mac he leaned back into his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.  “As far as I know no dancers have been eliminated but Jonghyun Chan and Hyungbin.  If you want to know why, you’ll have to find out yourself.”

I nodded slowly and looked down at my clipboard trying to not show how happy I was.  Every time I passed Jonghyun in the halls he was glaring at me or whoever that he was against.  Hyungbin though shocked me a little he was so quiet but then again maybe he was too quiet?  Finding a balance in this business when you didn’t even know what you’re observers wanted was really difficult.

“Back to work, we’ve got a lot to cover today and I want to be able to leave you alone with the equipment by tonight or tomorrow so you can get working on your portfolio.”  It took every ounce of control I had to not squeal with excitement and bounce around.  Instead I nodded and started taking notes as he immediately dived into another lesson on choruses.  All I could really think about though was tonight.  Yes wonderful looking Mac you will be all mine tonight and oh will it be amazing.

We worked straight through until five and I nearly didn’t go to class we were so focused on the work.  Not that I would have minded that but Soshi informed Chin-hwa that they had a meeting to go to.  That didn’t mean that I would focus in class though, I still had a second bridge to perfect before I came back for the night.  Just as I was gathering up my notes Chin-hwa poked his head back in and held a card out.  “The key lock is finally getting fixed in the booth in half an hour so you’ll need your own card for when you come back tonight.”

I nearly jumped out of my seat from joy.  He was really giving me the key?  I stood carefully and tucked my papers under my arm.  “I really have permission to come back tonight teacher?”

“You can come back any night you want now I trust you enough.  Unless one of the other artists are using the studio but I figure you should know that.”  Trying to not smile too wide I took the card with a small bow of thanks. 

“I’ll make sure I leave everything exactly how I found it.” 

“Good.”  He waved a little before retreating from the door and heading towards one of the many conference rooms on this floor.  As I made my way to the exit I realized something.  I hadn’t even explored the building yet.  The only other floor I had visited was the one right below where Skyler was and even then I only knew where the restroom and his dance room were.  Just when I was tempted to start exploring my phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket. 

Without even glancing at the caller ID I answered.  “Hello?”

“Would you hurry your up missy?  Minji keeps texting me to go to Starbucks and you know how she hates waiting more than life itself.”

Is it bad that I completely forgot about class and meeting Minji for a Starbucks run?  Probably a little bit.  “Yeah I’ll be there in a minute calm yourself boy.”

I could just imagine him rolling his eyes.  “Girl you know I need my coffee fix because someone who I will not name decided to wake up late today and not make coffee this morning.”  Sure enough he was standing by the entrance to the hall right off the lobby that led to my hall. 

Rolling my eyes when I made it to where he was without him noticing me I shoved his arm.  “You could have made it yourself you know.”

He raised a brow and slung one arm around my shoulder and gave me a hug.  I think he ran home and got a shower or went to a public bath because he smelled way too good after dancing for so long.  “Oh please do you not remember the last time I made coffee?”

“Okay point taken.  Let’s go before she decides to turn into a sixty foot monster and tear down the entire city.” 

“Or worse not pay for our coffee.”

“Cheap .”

“That’s right.”  I didn’t bother responding knowing that we were just wasting time.  Especially when the all too familiar chorus of Mona Lisa sounded.  “Okay not answering that she might jump through the phone and kill us.”  She would realize she had to calm down after Skyler didn’t answer her calls, that’s usually how it worked.  At least she picked a spot not too far from Cube so we wouldn’t have to worry about the bus.

One Grande cappuccino and cinnamon coffee cake and four hours’ worth of classes later I was back at Cube.  With a heap of homework on my back but tonight I couldn’t bring myself to care.  When I first arrived it took me nearly half an hour to calm down and actually focus on work and even after a few hours I still got giddy every time I saw something new in the software I used.  It would figure that just as I was getting into the song and thought that I had something really good a rather loud knock on the door interrupted me.  “For the love of chai tea and skittles, who wants to record at eleven at night?” 

Trying to put on my polite face I opened the door, “I’ll be out in a mi-”  Okay polite face is gone.

“Hi-yeom.”  He smiled and waved a little bit as he spoke and I nearly shut the door on him in shock. Was he this cute the last time I saw him?  Why in the world did he come to this specific recording studio?  Did he know I was here?  Or was it just a coincidence?  “I thought I would find you here.”  Okay not a coincidence.

I couldn’t help the small smile that formed on my face.  Even though he seemed tired he looked like he was genuinely happy to see me.  Not at all what I expected but it pleased me nonetheless.  “And why exactly are you looking for me?”

He pouted a little and pointed an accusing finger at me.  “Because you haven’t talked to me and,” He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, “I actually do have vocal practice as well.”

Shaking my head a bit I moved until I was at the edge of the door still holding it open with my hand and foot.  “Well shouldn’t you be practicing your vocals instead of talking to me then?”  What in the world was I doing?  If Skyler knew I was acting like that I’m certain he would kill me.  Stepping to the side I motioned for him to come in which he did so with a small nod of thanks.

God there was that adorable pout again.  “I want to talk to you though.”

Turning from him I started getting all my things together and saved my work on my flash drive slightly hoping that even though I didn’t work tomorrow that I could still come in and work on it.  Then again Chin-hwa will probably tell me that I work too much and to go to sleep.  Bah. “I’m not allowed to be in here when you’re working though Kikwang.”

Stop pouting darn you.  “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Well that’s stupid.”

Sighing I shut down the Mac and wrapped the headphones up before placing them in the cabinet.  “I mean it makes sense you need to practice I’ll get out of your hair.”  With a small bow I turned and headed for the door hoping that he wouldn’t find a way to get me to stay.

“That’s three you owe me now.”

Blinking in surprise I turned towards him and let the door fall against my arm as I stared.  “Excuse me?”

He sat down on the couch and held up three fingers while a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.  Oh lord I knew that look.  “You said next time I see you I’ll tell you a secret well you’ve seen me three times now and you have yet to tell me one.”

It was my turn to pout.  “That wasn’t part of our deal though.”

“Is now.”

“Who says?”

“I do.”

Grumbling a little I kicked at the floor as if there was dirt and avoided his gaze.  “Really didn’t expect you to remember that I have to admit.”

“My memory is better than what my members give me credit for.”  I couldn’t help but pick up the annoyance in his voice.  Okay note to self, he’s not as forgetful as s say he is that probably would have been nice to know a few weeks ago. 

Huffing a little I pushed the door off me and tried my best pout to get him to change his mind.  From what I could tell it wasn’t working to well so far.  “I don’t really have time right now to give you three secrets though.”

He leaned back into the couch and smiled lazily up at me.  “What about tomorrow?  I know you don’t have to work here tomorrow and I don’t have a schedule until later in the day I mean…if you want to and all.”

Honestly I couldn’t make myself believe that he actually wanted to talk to me and know secrets or whatever it was.  But then again he did look excited at the prospect of it.  Just when I was about to answer my phone vibrated loudly in my purse.  I held up my finger to signal one minute before grabbing the small device.  It was Ben.  Hey baby I’m leaving for France in a few days you want to go out tomorrow?  Of course that would happen.  Looking up I gave him a sheepish smile.  “Um rain check?”

So he looked a little more disappointed than I expected but I really shouldn’t think about that too much should I?  “Fine but you’ll have to owe me another secret.”

When he held up four fingers to emphasis his point I rolled my eyes but I couldn’t help but smile.  “Aish you crazy boy.”  I pointed at him and tried put on a stern face but with that smile it was difficult.  “Don’t work too hard alright?  You look tired.”

“Aaah don’t worry about me I’ve been worse.” He looked at me up and down and I couldn’t even pretend that I didn’t feel a little self-conscious about that.  “You on the other hand look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I-”

A taller man who I hadn’t seen before rushed past me and started to talk to Kikwang, “Are you ready to-excuse me what are you still doing here?”

Alright don’t look annoyed that he automatically talked in English.  Whatever you do don’t look annoyed.  I put on my best polite smile and bowed a little before speaking in formal Korean.  “I’m sorry I was just about to leave.”  Is it bad that I was way too satisfied when he looked surprised at my response?  Probably.  Glancing at Kikwang one more time I turned and left quickly.  Pulling out my phone I glanced over the message one more time before responding, sure I don’t work tomorrow anyway I can’t wait to see you.  Skyler was probably going to try and kill me when he found out what I did.