You looked at the signs nervously and sounded out each of the letters, trying to see if you could understand what the words meant. You had taken Korean for three years in America but now that you were actually in Korea and surrounded by the language, you felt like you knew barely anything.

            You squinted as the sun glinted across a sign and then smiled. That was English, and you could definitely understand ‘TS.’ You were at the right place. You hoisted your shoulder bag up your body and took a deep breath. As you reached for the handle, the doors opened from the other side and you had to move quickly to avoid being hit full on the face.

            “Oh, sorry,” the person apologized.

            You looked up and saw someone you knew. Recognition filled his features at the same time and he smiled in excitement. “Hey! I know you! ______, right?”

            You were surprised he remembered. “Yeah, Junhong, right? You sat on the far right in class.”

            He gave you an almost shy grin. “Yep. Amazing you remember.”

            “Likewise.”

            “Well, the foreign exchange student is always more fascinating. I didn’t realize you’d know who I am though.”

            “You’re the tallest in the class.”

            Junhong gave another shy smile. “Why are you here by the way?”

            “Oh,” now came the awkward part. You didn’t really know how to say it in Korean but there was an audition at TS for dancers and you wanted to give it a try. “I like dancing,” you started. “And there’s a program here that would allow us to try to get in?”

            He scrunched his eyebrows together and then brightened. “Oh you’re here for the audition? Me too!”

            He opened the door gallantly. “Step right in. The room is right on your left.”

            You followed him in before realizing that moments before, he had been coming out. “Uh, where were you going before we almost hit each other?”

            “Oh, well I’m sort of done with my audition. But I will be more than happy to accompany you when it’s your turn. They should be calling you up any time now. The waiting list was almost done by the time I finished.”

            “Oh there’s no need for you to stay. I’ll be fine.”

            “I insist,” Junhong said firmly. You mumbled a small protest before following him down the corridor.

            It was nerve wrecking to be standing in front of the judges but you held your head up high. You saw Junhong settle down on the floor and drowned everyone out. You were only focused on the music and allowed it to carry you as you moved. You weren’t into hip hop, rather you were more of a contemporary dance girl.

            As you danced, sometimes you would see Junhong following your moves. But you didn’t allow it to phase you. When the music finally ended, you stopped and took a deep breath. When you straightened, the judges were in awe and you saw them smiling.

            They handed you a slip of paper and nodded to you. Junhong took you by the arm and led you out. “I think that was the best I’ve ever seen,” he said and you blinked.

            “Thank you.”

            He winked. “You definitely got in. I would know. I was part of the judging team too.” 

sorry this one is a little short and rushed