Warning signs
Favourite Friend
The morning of the showcase:
Hyoyeon woke up at 5 am. It was still quite dark outside – even the birds were probably still asleep. She closed her eyes tightly, ignoring the nerves and anxiety threatening to bubble over and tried to think of things that would help her relax. The beach on an early summer day, riding her bike along the mountain trail near her house, picnics with her family, getting ice cream at the little corner store by the SM building with Hyukjae.. she felt a little better and drifted back off to sleep.
When she woke up again at 7 along with her alarm, she felt calm and ready for the showcase that evening. There was just a tiny bundle of nerves in the pit of her stomach but Hyukjae always told her that a little bit of fear and nervousness was good. It kept you focused and on your toes during the performance.
She got out of bed, completed her morning routine quickly and at 8 am, crept out of her house quietly. It was still early when she arrived at the SM offices. Even the security ajusshi was just opening up the gates and his tired eyes lit up upon seeing her, “Hyoyeon agasshi. Good morning. I hear it’s a big day for you today?”
“Neh,” she nodded and then sifted through her backpack, procuring a can of hot coffee after a few seconds. “For you ajusshi.”
The older man’s eyes crinkled with pleasure, “You always remember. I’ll drink it well. Good luck on your showcase tonight. I finish my shift at 6 so I will come cheer you on.”
Smiling happily, she gave him a quick hug and then went inside.
Hyoyeon spent an hour stretching every muscle in her body and then warming up with her favourite hiphop music. She felt alive and excited – today was the day to show everyone all that she had learned. For most people, their main goal during the showcases was to secure a spot in the debuting line-up but oddly enough, it wasn’t a heavy thought in Hyoyeon’s mind. She quite enjoyed trainee life; as long as she got to dance and take lessons with the best in the industry, she was content.
When her phone alarm signalled 9:00 am, she took a deep breath. The warm up was over – it was time to rehearse her routine one last time. However, this rehearsal was different. An odd tradition she had developed over the years was to not perform her routine the day of a showcase – not until she got on the stage. She simply envisioned the moves in her mind – it was hard to describe it to anyone else but when she closed her eyes, she actually saw herself and it was like she was performing the entire routine – just less tiring.
Hyoyeon walked over and the stereo and then sat down in the center of the stage cross legged. With eyes closed she focused her attention entirely on the music, mimicking the motions on a smaller scale. The music seemed to seep right into her veins pulsing through her entire body, leading it through the routine.
It was mesmerizing to watch.
So, thought the two people who were watching her from afar.
Yoochun stood on the other side of the closed door, peering through the rectangle of glass at the top. He had their usual Love Combo smoothies in his hands.
On the opposite side, behind the stage wings, stood Hyukjae, a knowing smile on his face. Hyoyeon had described her tradition to him and oddly enough, he knew exactly what she meant. It happened to him too. It was like being transported to an alternate universe – having an out of body experience watching yourself dance.
After about 5 minutes, the official mix ended but the music continued into a lifting crescendo. It was the freestyle portion of her routine so Hyoyeon stood up and danced however the music guided her. She jumped and twirled around spreading little fairy-dusts of her magical aura throughout the stage. As the music built up to its she rose on her toes performing an eye blurring number of rapid pirouettes until finally, there was only silence. The sound of her heavy breathing filled the room.
Hyoyeon opened her eyes, her face flushed with an excited glow.
She had a good feeling about this!
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Almost simultaneously the sound of applause filtered through the room on both sides. Surprised Hyoyeon looked to the right and then to the left. Yoochun and Hyukjae were walking towards her – the two seemed surprised to see each other as well.
“I guess great minds think alike!” Yoochun chuckled in his usual suave manner and Hyukjae grinned along.
“Yoochun oppa! What are you doing here?” Hyoyeon asked in a delighted voice turning to face him. Hyukjae paused his steps and hung back a little.
“I had a feeling you might be here early and decided to drop by on my way to the photo studio!”
“Oh that’s right!” Hyoyeon clapped her hands, “you are taking those project group pictures today! That’s so exciting oppa!”
“I guess,” Yoochun rubbed the back of his neck and stole a quick glance at Hyukjae, “but it’s just a trial. I don’t think any decisions will be made.” Hyoyeon also seemed to have realized something then because she hastily changed the subject, “Will you be finished in time for the showcase tonight?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he smiled making Hyoyeon turn red with pleasure and shyness.
‘So freaking cute!’Yoochun thought with an internal chuckle.
“Ah I forgot, I also came here to give you this!” he held up the smoothie tray with a grin but unlike the reaction he had expected, he thought her face turned a little pale.
“Oh.. thankyou oppa. That’s very nice.”
“I know it’s your favourite,” Yoochun continued proudly and offered it to her. She accepted it and gulped seeing the expectant look on Yoochun’s face.
‘He’s going to be disappointed if I don’t drink it…ottoke?’ she stared at the bluish purple drink nervously but after a deep breath, her lips set in a determined line and she was about to sip it when the smoothie was swiped out of her hands.
“Yes smoothie!” Hyukjae slurped it noisily ignoring the ‘what-the-heck?’ look that Yoochun gave him, “Sorry buddy, I was just so thirsty.”
Awkwardness hung in the air.
“Uh... I guess I’ll get going then. The shoot starts at 10.”
“Ok oppa, I’ll walk you to the door.”
Hyukjae watched quietly as the pair walked towards the exit and Hyoyeon said goodbye, thanking Yoochun a hundred times for dropping by. He in turn just smiled and wished her good luck. At the last second, he added in a hug as well and then left.
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The door slammed shut and as Hyoyeon walked back towards him – her face full on red instead of just flushed – Hyukjae spoke in a teasing voice, “You silly girl! Were you really going to drink it? What if you had and then ended up projectile vomiting on the audience?”
“First of all gross!” she reached where he stood and sat down on the floor – he followed suit – “and second, I couldn’t refuse! Didn’t you see his face? How do you think he’d feel if I rejected it after all the trouble he went through.”
“He wouldn’t have felt anything bad if you’d just told him the truth.” Hyukjae pointed out.
“And humiliate myself as well? No thanks.”
Memories of that field trip from hell still haunted her.
It was back in the early days when there were only a few trainees and they had been taken to Busan to perform at a publicity event for the company. Hyoyeon’s mother had packed her fresh blueberries and grapes for the bus ride and since they were so delicious, she and Sooyoung had cleaned the entire box out.
Everything had been fine up until their performance when suddenly, the combination of stage lights plus the nerves of performing for a big audience for the first time had her rushing off backstage to puke her guts out. The worst part and the detail that she always remembered (and tried to forget) was throwing up purple.
But the best part and the one she always remembered fondly was that Hyukjae had followed her and had held her hair back (while Sooyoung almost peed herself laughing at Hyoyeon).
Ever since that day, she had gotten over her fear of the fruits but she avoided them on performance day anyway, just in case.
“Thinking back to that day, aren’t you?” Hyukjae nudged her out of her thoughts and as she turned to look at him, his eyes were twinkling so brightly she thought she was going to get blinded.
“N..n.no way! Why would I ever?”
“You can’t lie to me Hyoyeonnie,” he laughed, “I can even tell you exactly what you were thinking!” He paused and cleared his throat, taking on a high pitch, “Oh my god! Hyukjae oppa was so cool that day! And I have to remember to kill Sooyoung again!”
“I was NOT!” Hyoyeon smacked his arm but the giggle that she couldn’t hold back gave her away. So once again, she turned back to him and said simply but sincerely, “Thanks… for that day.. and again for today.”
“Just keeping my promise,” he smiled and this time she knew what he was talking about.
She was lucky, so lucky to have him for a best friend.
“Oh wait!” he yelled out loud. “I have a bone to pick with you!”
“Wae yo?”
“I saw you earlier, when you saw both Yoochun and me. You completely ignored me and thanked only him for coming! You deserve a noogie* for that!”
“Oh…!” her eyes darted guiltily but before he could grab a hold of her head, she was up and running like lightening. Hyukjae, who wasn’t too bad in the athletics deparment himself, stood up and started chasing her.
They ran around the huge auditorium, round and round in circles, with Hyoyeon protesting the entire time. “I only did that because I don’t have to express myself to you in words oppa. You know my heart! I already said thankyou a million times through telepathy!”
“Telepathy? Yah! But what does that make me look like in front of Yoochun?”
“Why would it matter? Wait.. don’t tell me! You really have a man crush on Yoochun oppa? I was only joking last night –“
“Mworago? Now you really are dead!”
They were both laughing by now, with chests aching due taking irregular breaths.
“Oppaaaa!” Hyoyeon whined, “I’m not kidding. I was really happy to see you, even more than Yoochun oppa!”
“Stop using your aegyo and excuses on me!”
“Wae? I’m not lying. But it’s awkward saying thank you between us! That’s why I didn’t say it!”
“Really?”
“Cross my heart.”
Hyukjae stood still and Hyoyeon hesitantly froze in her spot as well. That moment of hesitation was all it took and Hyukjae was beside Hyoyeon holding her head in a headlock.
“Yahhhhhhhhhhh”
Hyukjae laughed evilly, “It’s been a while.” He pretended to polish his knuckles against his jacket.
It used to be their favourite form of punishment for losing games. 9 times out of 10, it was Hyoyeon who won so he had definitely had more than his fair share of hits.
“The day has finally come. Revenge will be mine!” He did his best imitation of a villainous laugh.
“I have a showcase, oppa! Pleaseeeee” Hyoyeon quickly closed her eyes – the last thing she saw being Hyukjae’s knuckle heading towards her.
And then the next instant – ZAP!
Her eyes flew open.
Hyukjae’s gummy smile greeted her.
“Of course I know that pabo!”
She continued to stare.
“Yah! I didn’t even hit you. Don’t look at me like that.”
She blinked and stared again.
‘What was that? That zap … the feeling of being electrified..' All he had done was softly patted her forehead and then brushed her hair behind her ears.. but the entire trail of skin that his soft fingers had followed was burning.
“Kim Hyoyeon! You’re starting to scare me.” He shook her a little and Hyoyeon finally came to her senses.
Ha.Ha.Ha. “I scared you didn’t, I? That’s payback!” she replied as normally as she could and ran towards the stereo. Her entire face was starting to burn, “Now out! I have to practise!” she yelled without turning around.
“Mwoh ya? I cleared up my schedule to come support you!” Hyukjae asked in a dissatisfied tone.
“I have to concentrate oppa. Tonight is a big deal for me and I only have one hour before I have to go to the salon.”
He stared at her back for a few seconds and then stood up, “Arasso, I’ll see you on stage, I guess.”
She waved over her head.
Hyukjae made it all the way to the door but when he reached for the knob, he hesitated, “Hyoyeonah, you’re…ok right? Did I do something wrong? I was just joking.”
‘Pabo, idiot, dummy, now you made him feel bad!’ She stood up and forced herself to look at him, “I’m fine oppa. Thanks for visiting. I’m… always thankful. I hope you know that.”
That was enough for Hyukjae so, grinning widely, he gave her a “fighting” sign and left.
Hyoyeon, on the other hand, put her palm against her forehead in confusion, “What just happened?”
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A/N aplogies for the late update and thank yous for the comments. its much appreciated so please continue to encourage me and i will try to live up to your expectations. I wrote this chapter in an hour so there might be lots of errors and weird sentences. will come back to edit later but for now, please bear with it.
and to add a shameless plug here, i'm also writing three other stories, all HyoHyuk so i thought i'd spread the word just in case
they are all like my babies and dear to my heart, so do give them a look if you are bored/have time. (WARNING: the last one is rated - not graphic but for mature themes so if you are underage, please be warned :P)
kay then, that's all from me for now. hope you liked the update
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