The recording studio was in complete pandemonium. Editing, singing and playing the piano. My turn had passed to sing and now it was Eun Mi's. Hana, JYP and I were directing. Tae Ji and Rara went off to help Jin Sung teach the choreography to the back up dancers. 

We finally finished recording and I was supposed to be whisked off to Rookie Idol. But JYP stopped us. 

"The music video recording is in a week. We're hoping to have it out a little after your first 'Love Games' performance at Music Bank on New Year's Eve," he said. "And I think it would be great if we incorporated some of your own ideas into the video. We'll have a meeting tomorrow and then you girls are off for Christmas."

Hana, Eun Mi and I nodded and grinned. 

Hana dialed Sung Gyu's number. "Unnie, we finished. Hyun Ae's ready to go."

There was some sound from the phone but I couldn't understand. 

"Oh, um, I don't think there are any more company cars left," Hana said. 

"Huh? What happened?" I leaned in with Eun Mi. 

Hana put Sung Gyu on speaker. "Sorry, I'm stuck in traffic. And by the looks of it, I'm gonna be here for a while. You guys need to get to Rookie Idol somehow. Maybe you can borrow someone's car."

"Unnie, listen to yourself," Eun Mi cut in. "No one would trust us with their car."

"We could ask Khunnie oppa to drive us," Hana suggested. "I don't think he had anything scheduled right now."

"Okay, just call me when you get to Rookie Idol, bye girls," Sung Gyu said in relief. 

"Bye unnie!"

We raced to 2pm's practice room and heard 'Hands Up' blasting with some strained notes from Taecyeon, who was singing (or something like that) Chansung's part. 

We came in to find Taec, Junsu and Wooyoung sprawled on the floor, doing absolutely nothing but butchering their own song. 

"Ah!" Wooyoung shrieked when he saw us. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We're looking for Khunnie oppa," Eun Mi explained. 

"He just left," Taec said as Junsu switched the music off. "He wanted get a gift for his sister."

We groaned. 

"Why are you looking for him?" Junsu asked. 

"We need a ride to Rookie Idol," I explained. 

"I can drive you guys," Junsu said. 

"I'd like my limbs to stay attached to my body, thank you," Eun Mi smirked. 

"Yah! I've gotten a lot better from last time!" He protested. 

"Okay, okay, we'll go with you," I said. "Don't worry Eun Mi, we can always sue him."

Junsu rolled his eyes and grabbed his car keys. 

"Anyeong!" Taec and Wooyoung called out with aegyo. Which was a bit of a fail. 

We climbed into the car, with myself in the front and Hana and Eun Mi in the back. Tae Ji and Rara would come later because they had to teach the back up dancers. 

"Do you have any ideas for our music video?" Hana asked. 

"Not-oh wait!" I stopped myself and turned quickly in my seat. Junsu elbowed me to calm down. 

"What?" Hana and Eun Mi leaned in. 

"Hana, what's that movie with the girl that lives in the elephant, and the poet guy and the Like A number?" I stretched over to face Hana. 

"Did you happen to smoke something while you were watching that movie?" Junsu teased. 

"I didn't. The people in the movie did. They drank absinthe too. That's why the movie was so strange," I said rather indignantly. 

"Moulin Rouge!" Hana cried out. 

"Yes!" I said. "I was thinking we could do something like the 'Roxanne' scene."

"That's awesome!" Hana said just as Junsu coughed loudly. 

"Yah, oppa, what's up with you?" Eun Mi piped up. 

"Aren't you guys a bit young for that?" He said. "We were supposed to do a couple dance with some other group but it was cancelled due to...um, issues."

"Well, we wouldn't do any of the touchy-feelly stuff from the beginning but we could do the lifts or we could just sit in the middle of the floor with all the dancers dancing around us," Hana said. 

Junsu gripped the wheel tighter. "I still think you guys are too young."

I rolled my eyes. "Junsu, Eun Mi's graduating from high school this year, Hana's going to be done with college in a year and I'm old enough to drink. Besides, I've known girls younger than Eun mi who have done some pretty 'old' things. It's nothing to be worried about. And despite popular belief, we aren't planning on doing any racy things."

Junsu paused for a second. 

"You're old enough to drink?"

"Yes. I turned twenty two like two weeks ago." I growled through my teeth playfully. 

"I...I just forgot."

"Gee, thanks."

oOo

He dropped us off and I was quickly changed and primped to semi-perfection. 

I saw Gunwoo watching me have my make up done. 

The second I was done I ran over to him to give him a hug. 

"Hey, don't worry about that girl," I said. "She doesn't know what she's missing. She's an idiot for letting you go."

He chuckled. "I don't think you should be saying that."

I gave him a puzzled look. 

"Why? Do I know her?"

"Hopefully," he said. 

  "Who, who, who?" I jumped up and down excitedly. 

He looked away. "I don't know if I should tell you."

"Tell me!" I insisted firmly. 

Gunwoo sighed. 

"You."

My eyes widened. 

"Uh...could you repeat that?" I laughed nervously. 

He sighed again, more agitated now. "You."

"But I-I'm not going out with anyone! Why-why would you be upset?" I stammered. I wasn't too used to anyone confessing to me. 

Gunwoo chuckled. "You're better suited for someone else. Really, Hyun Ae, I'm okay now."

"What are you talking about? Who?" I said as we sat down in the lobby chairs. 

"I thought you already knew," he said, surprised. "Or had some kind of idea."

"Everyone seems to know but me," I said with a slight smile. "12hour, 2am, and 2pm always tease me about my 'boyfriend', JYP says I should be able to sing love songs well now. But I have no idea who they're talking about."

"No offense, Hyun Ae, I'm really saying this as your friend, but you're kind of dumb," Gunwoo said. 

"Yah! I graduated with all A's!" I protested but I couldn't help but laugh. 

Gunwoo laughed with me. "Anyway, do you want me to tell you?"

I did. I really wanted to know. I mean this could be my soulmate or something. But I'm sure the world and space and time continuum or some other force wanted me to find out on my own. 

"I think I should find out on my own," I said. 

Gunwoo smiled. "I think you'll find out soon. Anyway, good luck today."

"You too." I hugged him and couldn't help wondering how it would be like if Gunwoo was my boyfriend.  

oOo

I peeked through the curtains and immediately saw 12hour, 2pm and 2am in the front row. I smiled. It was almost like having my family there. 

"Thanks guys," I whispered. 

I vaguely heard my name being announced when I could have sworn that I saw Junsu look at me and smile. 

oOo

There was no turning back now. I swallowed. This was going to be aired live too. No editing. No nothing. 

I suddenly remembered the day of my YG audition. I was practicing my song in the living room right after school. And my dad came home early that day. 

He just sat down on the couch and listened to me sing. 

After I finished singing, my dad smiled. He said it was his favorite song. He said it had true meaning. 

I was singing 'A Goose's Dream'.

I brought my hands together, bowed my head, and closed my eyes. 

"This is for you, Appa," I whispered. 

And the curtains opened. 

oOo

Gunwoo and I stood on the dimly lit stage about twenty feet apart with the MC. 

"It has come down to this," the MC said dramatically. "Our last two contestants."

I couldn't open my eyes. I was too afraid to look at the audience. 

I couldn't hear anything. My mind was swirling with thoughts.

I couldn't help but wonder if my dad heard me. 

There was a long speech about something or another but I wasn't really listening. 

"And so the votes have been counted. A spotlight will shine on the new Rookie Idol," the MC said. 

My eyes were still closed. 

Suddenly the crowd starting cheering and the MC said something but I couldn't even hear him. 

"Hyun Ae!" Gunwoo called out. 

I hesitantly opened my eyes. 

I was surrounded by light. 

Gunwoo hugged me. "Congratulations! Go take your prize!"

"I-I won?!" I'm sure my eyes were about to pop out. 

He pushed me over to the MC, who handed me the huge golden microphone, flowers and placed a crown onto my head. 

"Congratulations, Hyun Ae-ssi!" He told me. 

"Th-thank you!" I laughed. "Thank you all so much."

Tears came to my eyes and Gunwoo hugged me again as he saw my face grow redder. 

"And here are some more people to congratulate you!"

12hour, 2pm and 2am rushed onto the stage. 

My members hugged me all together. And 2pm and 2am cheered and patted Gunwoo on the shoulder. 

I began to laugh and cry and my members laughed. 

I had to thank Junsu. I pulled away from my members a bit and called out to him. 

"Oppa! Thanks for helping me," I said. 

He hugged me and I laugh-cried some more. 

Appa, I made it.

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

Merry Christmas Eve!!! Sorry for the kind of rushed chapter but sheesh, my teachers are crazy! I had like five tests in one day. That's CRAZY. Anyway, you guys don't care anyway so I'll get straight to the point, I'm going to try to release another chapter on Christmas! Happy Holidays!!