A/N: As mentioned before, this story is an apply fanfiction, however I don't know if its going to continue or not...and if it did I don't want to tamper with the original story; so i'm reposting it as an original fanfiction and switching a few things to make it work ^^ For that reason anyone whose read the first two chapters will be reading familiar material. Edit: Just adding this as I type, if I post lyrics to any songs that already exist, I'm posting the Korean lyrics ^^ (plus the original song link) If anyone speaks Korean as their first language, it would be neat if you could contact me and translate my future original songs for this story into Korean ^^

CHAPTER 1 - STAGE NAMES

"Every minute we waste, we waste money," Ray had exclaimed, before allowing Instructor Lee, SS501's trainer, to order everyone to meet him in the dance studio in ten minutes. Jewel shook her head, pondering as to why she had agreed to this two year contract. She had everything as a solo artist, a lot of popularity, a great set of fans, time to herself. It was rare to make it as a solo artist, but she had done it.

Yet here she was, standing amongst individuals she was familiar with, doing the one thing she really didn't want to do. Participate in a group of singers...the opposite of singing by yourself. This decision of hers brought an unfamiliar awkward air into the room, one she had never felt before in her years of knowing these guys. 

Gaining a respect as a solo artist wasn't difficult after a while, but years previous as she struggled, she met some of these boys before the company pulled the plug from underneath them. That is, with the exception of her brother Hyun Joong, and Jung Min of whom she met as a child. The memories flash back to her in an instant, emotions flooding back. It had been a while since then, a lot had happened in such a short period of time. But most of that didn't matter to her...and yet she had agreed to do this without hesitation. Maybe it was because she felt bad for the guys; for her friends. Maybe it was because she wanted to help. Whatever the reason was, it left her sitting on a hardwood floor.

To her left the members were sitting together, spread out, yet still close enough to be sitting together. Jung Min pokes Hyung Jun, trying to annoy him a little. Other members were striking up conversation, but then a bald man standing at the front clears his throat, "Alright Lady and gentlemen, enough playing. Its time for business," The bald man, wipes his hand on his jeans. Though the discussion dies down, I can see Hyung Jun's still trying to make weird facial expressions behind the mans back, "I'm instructor Lee; you may call me Sir or Instructor Lee. I am the god of this training room," Hyung Jun taps Jung Min's shoulder and snickers at the comment. Jung Min laughs along with him, "I make mediocre singers and dancers like yourselves and making them into superstar models. Forget what you think you already know because it is nothing compared to my expert knowledge of singing and dancing."

Out of the corner of my eye I notice Hyung Jun's now elbowing Young Saeng in the side and making more faces. It got a few snickers from the other guys. Instructor Lee narrows his eyes, and after a few more moments Hyung Jun stops. As if nothing happened, Instructor Lee continues, "Joining me in reforming your lives is Tori...don't even make me speak that horrible nickname you created for yourself. She will be assisting for a period of two years in order to help you boys establish a new for yourselves. And with your old fashioned tactics you need it-" A woman opens the door, "Excuse me! What are you doing? Don't you know I'm in the middle of an important meeting!" I can see the woman is scared, she nods her head slowly and quickly walks up to him. She puts her lips close to his ear and whispers softly, "What!?"

The woman nods her head again, "He just made this decision..." She eyed me a little, gesturing towards the door.

In frustration he nods, "Fine, send them in..." The woman quickly walks away, "All this stress...i'm going to lose my hair..."

In agony I watch Jung Min snicker at the comment, patting his head and mimicking the man silently. Agony because I felt lost, my heart was in pain because I felt ignored. Like he didn't care, like I was nothing but a piece of junk.

Several young ladies walk in, each different, looking around and happy expression on their faces.

"Omo, what's going on?" Hyun Joong asks quickly, glancing at the girls then back at the instructor, "who are they?"

"I didn't know we had new back-up dancers..." Young Saeng.

The Instructor glares, "Girls! Stop dawdling. Sit please!"

The girls jump in shock, but listen and quickly take a seat on the other side of the group.

"Your popularity is horrible due to your repulsive singing and dancing skills, which is why you guys are going to make a large co-ed group. Which is ridiculous..." Instructor Lee starts muttering under his breath, "...handle ten people at once...ridiculous. My pays too low..."

"Combine to make a new group?" Hyun Joong asks, "us?"

"Didn't you hear me the first time?" Instructor Lee snaps, "don't question me unless spoken to. Now where was I..." He thinks for a moment, "oh yes. Joining me in reforming your lives are my assistants, Siwon, Yi Jong, Hillary and Miranda. You may call them Sunbae. Siwon and Hillary will be assisting with your...mediocre singing skills. Under my guidance, they will turn you into beautiful songbirds. Yi Jong and Miranda will be my assistant choreographers; together we will create breathtaking dance routine that other groups shall envy. New dancers will be joining us as back-up dancers for some routines. I personally trained each one of them."

"Uh, sir," Hyun Joong was speaking up again, "No you didn't. My choreographer, My..." Jewel made eye contact with a girl sitting beside her, who smiled. She laughed, secretly pointing to Hyun Joong and whispering 'Dimensioned personality' which was referring to Hyun Joong's fourth dimensional personality. The girl laughed silently in response. Jewel smile brightened...someone actually was being nice to her. It was a good change with the guys ignoring her and everything

"Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking! You haven't been given permission to speak yet. You will only speak when I give you permission, do you understand?"

Hyun Joong stares at the instructor, "...."

"Are you ignoring me? I ASKED do you understand?"

"But you said I couldn't speak without your permission."

"This is why I hate working with amateurs..." Instructor Lee sighs, "Now, if I may continue Mr. Big Shot lucky guy; I'd like to give you some information that Ray has...asked me to share. Why he can't do it himself and insists on wasting my precious time is beyond me. But out of the kindness of my heart, I will donate some of my time to do this job for him," Instructor Lee turns to us girls, "Ladies, if indeed you are that, you have been assigned a manager and two assistant managers. Manager Hwang, Assistant Manager Leah and Assistant Manager Mi Nam will let you know what you can call them, but there is now a fine example of womanhood will be there to make sure you don't screw up. They will get you to all of your activities and coordinate all of your entourage so you can focus on me and all of my vast teachings that I must drill into your little brains. The managers of both the ladies and gentlemen will present you with your schedules each night before you get what little sleep I will allow you to get. Some of you will need moire beauty sleep than others. Ray also has told me that for the next six months you will all be living in the same dorm. There is an incredible amount of work that needs to be done before your debut and he felt it would be in the groups best interest for you all to be together. When I decide to release you from training today, you will be taken to your new dorm so that you can get moved in. Your managers will instruct you when you get there with the 'house rules' set forth from the higher ups. Personally, I think those rules are too lax, so be thankful I didn't make them. That's enough from Ray's notes, I will give you exactly two minutes to try and digest everything I just said while I get my assistants in line for today's training."

When I look around the room after I believe Instructor Lee has finally finished, I stare at all the girls. The one I was communicating with before was staring at him with wide eyes. Other girls were looking away, tuning out the instructor. The boys were all snickering, I could see Kyu Jong watching them as they poked each other, Hyung Jun attempts to tickle Jung Min who moves his arms around to block his attempts. And yet I was there, doing nothing...despite knowing all the boys they don't bother to try to interact with me, and it hurts. I knew they hated this; goodness, they strongly verbalized their opinions when I was officially introduced to them as their new team member. Even if it was only going to be for two years. Even though my heart hurts I try to ignore it, placing my head in between my knee's. Out of the corner of my eye I catch my brother and Jung Min looking at me simultaneously. But I pretend not to notice, they look away after a few seconds.

After a few minutes of absence of Instructor Lee's voice, he clears his throat and crosses his arms, "Alright everyone. Time to get off your lazy butts and start work. To make things easier for you slow paced girls in the next six to eight months, we're going to pair you up with a male based on your "abilities." The ones with stage experience, if you call it that. can assist the other," He clears his throat and rolls his eyes, shifting them towards the boys, "Boys, you WILL behave as gentlemen. This isn't a free 'hook-up' session from the management, this is actual work and I WILL work you HARD."

Kyu Jong nods his head, I always got the feeling that he didn't mind these instructions. All the boys were willing to work hard, though Kyu Jong seemed more willing to accept instructions. I can see Hyung Jun cross his arms over his chest and pout, pretending to be upset. At the same time, out of the corner of my eye I watch as Jung Min and Hyun Joong mock Hyung Jun by trying to immitate him. Th instructor shifts his eyes towards the girls, "And girls, remember you're suppose to be lady 'trainee's' so get any fan-girl thoughts out of your head," He glares at everyone, finishing with me and holding our gaze for a moment longer than the rest. Instructor Lee crosses his arms over his chest and begins speaking to everyone once again, "For the first half of training, two pairs will be working on singing practice with Siwon and Hilary, and two pairs will be working on dance and choreography with Yi Jong and Miranda. The pair that remains..." Instructor Lee trails off, smirking, "...I have something special in store for them. The person you've been paired up with today will be your stage partner on stage. When I call your name, step forward."

Everyone, including disobedient and prankster Hyung Jun nods their heads. My heart begins to speed up, this was either going to be the best moment or the worst. If I was paired up with my brother or Jung Min, I feel like it would be awkward since they vocalize often their annoyance to me being a part of their group. Instructor Lee pulls a piece of paper out his pocket and looks at it, "Ray...why did you pair them up like this...?" He murmurs under his breath, "Hyun Joong and So Yun." Hyun Joong glances  at a girl with long, brown hair and a bit of a larger chin. She was beautiful on sight, and at once I recognized her. I hadn't taken much notice to the other girls since Instructor Lee hadn't given anyone much time to process everything, except the boys of course who had comprehended the situation with me before, hence understanding the larger crisis when it came to a head. I remember So Yun, my brother often mentioned her. I thought this would be a happy reunion, but I do not see happiness in his eyes. Which of course, is odd. He rolls his eyes, pushing himself up on to his feet and approaching the Instructor. I can see So Yun begin to pout, but she too gets up and stands in front of the instructor, "You two, being the oldest of each gender, have been made leaders according to management. You are group one. I have heard that you both have worked under a different company for the lsat two years," Instructor Lee shook his head, "This makes breaking your training even harder. You were working to be two solo artists, get used to the idea that there is no such dream anymore! You two will need the most work as leaders, so you will be receiving special training from me. Please step aside." He gestured for them to move. So Yun and Hyun Joong listen, she glances at him, and this time she rolls her eyes instead. Hyun Joong must have caught it, because I see him smile after. Now they both lean against the wall, "Group two will be Young Saeng and...Jewel? What kind of kiddie name is that? Stage names will only be used on stage or in public. In this training facility we will go by your real name or nickname only! Now as I was saying before I was interrupted by this ridiculous stage name, Young Saeng and Tori will be group 2."

Young Saeng smiles, and I find myself doing the same. Not having to deal with my brother or Jung Min and their awkward aura relaxes me. We get up simultaneously, standing in front of the instructor, "Both of you will be working with Siwon on your singing skills for the first part of today's training. Management has declared you two to be the lead singers and while I don't agree with all this praise, I have to go with what they 'dictate.' Please move to the piano and wait for me to tell you to begin."

Jewel and Young Saeng politely answer, bowing and as if it was automatic, Young saeng put his arm around Jewel's back and started to guide her towards the piano. As they pass the remaining individuals sitting on the ground, Jewel frowns, and whispers to Young Saeng, "I hear something."

He looks at her, "What?"

"It sounds like...growling..." I see Young Saeng frown, and then gaze over towards Jung Min as we pass by. His eyes are greeted with a glare...and a low humming sound. I sigh, realizing that Jung Min was growling at Young Saeng. I can't take him doing that, Young Saeng was the only one not ignoring me! What was Jung Min doing? I return his glare with another, then return my gaze towards the piano.

I hear Hyung Jun snicker, "Lover boys been rejected."

"Shut up!" Jung Min exclaims. I can't see what he's doing since my back is to him at this moment, but I can only imagine his reaction...probably trying to hit Hyung Jun or something. I take a seat on the piano bench, Young Saeng sitting beside me and watch as everything unfolds. All the while noting Jung Min's continued glare.

When the instructor starts I can't tell if Jung Min's even listening, "Group three will be Ky Jong and Angie. What...ANOTHER stage name!? Whats with you girls and changing your name!?" I watch as another beautiful girl approaches the Instructor and stand beside Kyu Jong in front of Instructor Lee. I can see Kyu Jong grasp his other hand tightly, I was hoping he wasn't too nervous about all this, being with a girl he doesn't know I mean, "Kyu Jong and ChanMi, management has decided that your voices will go well together, and I'm sure they will once I'm done with you. Go over to the piano near the mirror and work with Hillary." I watch as Kyu Jong and Angie exchange shy smiles, but obey the instructor and stand by the piano on the far side, "Group four will be Jung Min and...ANOTHER STAGE NAME!? Why the hell did you choose Sunflower!? Who in their bloody mind would call themselves Sunflower!?" Sunflower approaches the Instructor, but I notice that Jung Min's glare is still locked on to Young Saeng and I, "Jung Min and Seonyoung...JUNG MIN! PAY ATTENTION! Now's not the time for glaring!"

For another moment Jung Min is glaring at me, but eventually he reluctantly gets up and stands before the instructor, "As I was saying...Jung Min and Seonyong will be working with Yi Jong on dancing like REAL dancers and not that wannabe y charisma crap. You may think you're a y charisma, but here you're not even cute. My amazing abilities will bring out the iness within that you can only dream of!" I hear Hyung Jun snicker at the comment. Behind Jung Min's back he tries to mimic his facial expression, "You two head over to the mirrored area over there," Jung Min makes his way in the direction the Instructor was pointing but stops as he passes Hyung Jun, slapping him, "Quit it!"

Jung Min ignores the instructors previous instructions, attempting to do a short immature dance. I feel a giggle arising from my stomach, but cough and try to hold it in. I felt bad for Sunflower.

"And that leaves Group Five. OH. MY. GOODNESS! Another darn stage name! Koko...forget it, I can't even go there. Hyung Jun and Mi Ah, go over to the other mirrored section. Miranda will work with you." I see Hyung Jun frown, I bet it was because he had no one to annoy now that he and Jung Min were separated. But knowing him he'd find a way anyway. Jung Min laughs as he passes, "Aigoo...these stage names give me a headache, I can't even continue." Instructor Lee turns towards Jung Min and Hyung Jun, "I will say this once. Jung Min and Hyung Jun I've heard of you two and your Tom and Jerry shenanigans; do not attempt to do such inappropriate behavior in my facility or you will have to run laps until you collapse. Now for the rest of you...BEGIN!!! Group One start warming up. You can either sing a song or dance, but start pondering on what you want to do as leaders. I'm going to take something for this horrible headache the stage names have given me." With that Instructor Lee disappears up the stairs and out the door.

I don't bother to watch everyone as they start working stuff out, I personally wasn't in the mood to care so instead of watching Jung Min over with Hyung Jun I turn towards the keyboard and start fiddling with the keys.

"You sound good," Young Saeng says, watching for a moment.

I smile, "Thanks. I practice a lot."

"We're going to do well together."

"We are. You have such a nice voice."

"You do too. Whenever you sing it sends shivers down my spine."

"So do you! When you recorded that single for that drama I must have listened to it a thousand times."

"Really?"

"Of course!" I smile, gesturing towards the piano, "I even did a cover for it."

"You did a cover? You never told me!"

"You didn't ask."

"Play it for me,"

"The cover?"

"What else?"

"I don't know. Its not that good."

"C'mon! You mentioned it so you should play."

I sigh, "But everyone will hear..."

"So what? You and I are going to sing together on stage in front of a lot of people! This is practice."

"Well..." I stare at the keyboard, "...I guess I can." There's a moment of silence, suddenly I'm nervous. People may watch, but whatever. My fingertips dance on the keyboards and slowly, slower than normal, I start singing the words of the first part of the song, "Neomaneul saranghae su-eobshi waech’yeobo-ado nareul || Moreunch’eok wimyeon haneun neo geuriweohamyeo nunmureul jiweoga." (THIS is the song she is currently doing a cover for). I don't bother to sing the entire song, just a bit more of the chorus, then end it quickly.

"That's not bad. You're good at this,"

"You're better," I smile.

I hear the pitter patter of feet and turn to see Hyun Joong and So Yun doing a dance I'd never seen before (THIS one). It was entertaining to watch, everyone stops and does as we do, staring at my idiotic brother and So Yun make fools out of themselves. But then Jung Min approaches them, "Leader, we're not that kind of group! Stop!"

Hyun Joong does, giving Jung Min a cold, neutral stare before making horse noises, "HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEE!"

"Ya! Aren't you suppose to be setting an example leader?" He turns to So Yun, "Hey girl, if you're serious aout being in this group you'd better stop fooling around and work."

"Ya Mal! Go eat your carrots," Hyun Joong exclaims, "I'll deal with my partner in my own way."

"Oh. Leader is being possessive."

"Am not! I'm being responsible," Hyun Joong pushes Jung Min towards his partner, "Now go before I hide all the carrots in the dorm."

Young Saeng looks at me, a mischievous look I rarely see, then faces in the direction of Jung Min once more and begins to make the horse noises Hyun Joong had just finished making. Even Hyung Jun takes this opportunity to join in.

Jung Min glances  at everyone, "That's not funny, Leader!"

I turn away from Jung Min, and though my insides feel fine despite laughing like a mania, I just don't feel like laughing anymore, "I think next time we're on reality television we should prank him."

"You sound like you've been taking lessons from Hyung Jun!"

I laugh. But the laugh is short, I end up staring at the piano again, and eventually I'm staring at Jung Min once again, "Don't worry Tori, we still love you," I look at him, "The guys are just a tad upset. This isn't how we thought we were going to be reunitig. Its not you."

"Thanks.." I murmur, "honestly I'm a little worried."

"Don't be worried," He chuckles, "I can tell Jung Min still feels close to you, he's just upset."

"How do you know?" I'm blushing probably, my cheeks are really red.

"Call it professor Heo's intuition."

I nod, and smile slightly, "Thanks." Wrapping my arms around him I put my chin on his shoulder, I was grateful. Without him I wouldn't have anyone to talk to.

Suddenly a voice peps up sounding angry and annoyed, "Ya! You two are suppose to be be working on singing, not hugging."

"See." Young Saeng whispers in my ear.

"I do," I nod and leave the embrace of the hug."

Minutes pass Young Saeng and I focus on the piano sound, trying to harmonize our voices together when Siwon finally emerges fom the bathroom. My eyes trail to Kyu Jong and Angie, who are standing by the piano with Hillary. Their voices echo throughout the room, it sounds like they're singing scales or something.

"...every minute we waste, we waste money," My ears focus on a voice, distorted a little, ut my guess is a imitation or something. I turn my head around to see what's going on.

Sunflower and Koko are laughing, and anxiously, Hyung Jun walks over to them, "Woah! You're really good at voice imitations. Want to hear one of mine?" Of course Hyung Jun would notice someone who loves voice imitations.

Jung Min answers for the girls, "No one wants to hear from a turtle." He glances over at Young Saeng and I, and quickly I look away. He keeps doing that!

I start playing the piano once again and feel something warm wrap around my shoulder. My eyes widen, "Young Saeng!"

"Trust me," He says.

"...SNEAK ATTACK!" Hyung Jun exclaims, and thus another attempt to fight.

"That's not fair!" Jung Min says.

Honestly, I don't even want to know what they're up to right now.

"Jung Minnie. Where are you-?"

"Don't speak my name in vain!"

Seconds later a figure is hovering over us, I look up to see Jung. At that moment Jung Min slaps Young Saeng arm away, Young Saeng," He pushes himself in front of me, "What's your sudden closeness to our Seal? You know darn well that its not appropriate for a guy to share skin ship with a girl whose not related or his girlfriend. We both know she's not your sister, and she had better no be your girlfriend! There's no reason for you to put your arms around her or to even hug her." 

I can't see Jung Min's face, but I can only guess he's glaring or something. Young Saeng smiles, much to my surprise, "Then who, in that horse brain of yours, should be able to hug and share skin ship with her?"

"Never mind that," He's avoiding the question, I knew he'd do that! He turns to me, making eye contact, "You, Tori, why won't you talk to me..."

And now I'm embarrassed, I look to the floor,  "That is..."

"Don't even worry about it," Young Saeng states, pushing Jung Min slightly out of the way and taking his place in front of me, "Jung Min, our break is over so this conversation is over. Before I send you back to your own work, think about this: Who is the one who started ignoring her in the first place, in fact who has been ignoring her the entire day?" I can hear a serious tone in Young Saengs voice, it scared me a little. But not a lot, he isn't exactly a scary guy.

"That's not true-"

"Its because Mal really LIKES her and is embarrassed," Hyung Jun declares.

"Turtle! I'm going to get you for that!"

I try to ignore the boys voices, and keep my focus on the exercises with Young Saeng, "Good!" Siwon says, "you sound great together. Tori, try singing a half note higher."

"WHAT IN THE BLUE BLAZES IS GOING ON IN HERE AND WHERE IS SO YUN?" I hear a voice scream. Everyone grows silent, Young Saeng and I look up towards the top of the staircase, and see Instructor Lee swaying a little, a beer bottle in his hand. And that's when I notice...So Yun really isn't here. Seconds later I see her emerge from the bathroom, eyes puffy...like she had been crying. What did my brother do now? I look at my brother, regret plastered all over his face, "From what I see, today was an absolute waste of my time. Hyun Joong and So Yun, you two weren't even in the same room! How is that supposed to show you can get the job done? I'm sorry to say there is no bathroom on stage for you to hide little missy. Hyun Joong, you aren't a solo artist anymore. You HAVE to stick with your partner."

Hyun Joong sighs, "Sir, there's not way i'm following her to the girls bathroom."

"Again you forget that I'm speaking!! You two go stand by the piano..." Instructor Lee staggers towards Hyung Jun, Jung Min and their partners, "...and you four. What kind of dancing was that!? This isn't Animal Planet or some Horse and Pony Show! I told you I wasn't going to put up with your tomfoolery. Your four shall go stand by the piano! I'm so fed up with all of you I'm going to end your training today! Tomorrow I'd better see some more seriousness out of you or you can fprget your dreams of a comeback/debut. It won't happen. In the morning the boys will be taught choreography for the first single while the girls will start working on harmonizing together. After lunch, the boys will be expected to teach their partner the steps they have learned so that after dinner we can put it all together. The four of you that were goo little children and did what I instructed may leave. the six by the piano will work with Siwon for an extra hour, singing nothing but scales. All of you had better remember this lesson! You mess with me, I'll make you sing until your throat bleeds. DISMISSED AND BEGIN THOSE SCALES!"