Summer 2013 (1/1)

Summer 2013It was hot, so hot that Sooyoung thought she could faint from a heat stroke. Opening her bottled water, Sooyoung gulped as much as she could without choking. Practice was hard today and the air conditioner didn’t seem to help with the heat at all. She couldn’t wait to get out of her sweaty clothes, but she still had at least two hours of practice left.If given the choice, she much rather prefer vocal practice over dance practice, but she knew SM trained their trainees in various category and she knew she would never get out of dance practice. Besides, that was what idols did, not only were they singers, they had to be able to dance as well, have some acting experience, and learn the ways of variety. However, she couldn’t be too bitter with their systematic training system, because it was due to it that Sooyoung discovered she had a knack for signing trot. She had always knew of trot, and occasionally sung it for her grandparents, but she never really thought of it as anything.Her vocal teacher thought otherwise and thus began her new lessons in trot and the reason why Jang Yoon Jeong’s Jjan Jja Ra was currently on repeat on her ipod. She also didn’t know she would enjoy it as much as she did.By chance one of her friends saw the title and had spoken, a bit too loudly of her choice of music, “whoa you listen to trot?” bringing the attention of her other classmates.Sooyoung could only nod her head.“Why? Trot’s not bad. Most of them have very catching beats.” She defended.“Can you sing trot?” She could, at least that was what her vocal teacher had said. She also said she lots of room to improve, but with more practice she would eventually get there.“No, I’m not very good.” She admitted.“But you can?” It wasn’t that she couldn’t, it more that she didn’t really want too. Now Sooyoung was never really was one to shy away from singing. She was usually the first one singing at family functions, but…her eyes glanced to where Junhong was sitting.She found herself always glancing towards his direction. There was something about him that attracted her. She didn’t know if it was the mere fact that he was an idol, but she would like to think she wasn’t that shallow. Plus he had several other traits that made him likeable, for instance, his cute dimples when he smiled or his seemingly kind character and she figured even if he wasn’t an idol he would probably still have a lot of fan girls and she supposed she’d be one of them as well. Maybe she admired him from an artist’s (or wannabe artist) standpoint. He was an exceptional rapper (something she couldn’t be if she tried) and his singing wasn’t all that bad either.Not to mention he had debuted at a young age and was already making a name for himself and his group. As a trainee, she could only hope to be as successful has Junhong.“Yah, Choi Junhong, don’t you want to hear Sooyoung sing trot?” Sooyoung stared at her friend who shouted that. Ever since the fan meet her friends have been giving her a hard time. Always teasing her about Junhong and it was worst when they learned what she had in her green gift bag, no thanks to Junhong.Sooyoung had been busy with her assignment when a can drink appeared on her desk. Taking her headphones out, she gave the tall boy a confused look.  “Thank you.” He said before placing himself down in the chair in front of her desk. “For?” She managed to ask, putting down her pen. “Junhong’s Guide to Success.” Sooyoung cringed, she didn’t realized how cheesy it had sounded and was glad none of her friends were around. “It was really no problem at all. I was already making it for myself and figured I share it with you, since you were missing a lot of classes.” She tried to make it sound as cool as she could. Truth was, she wasn’t even planning on making a study guide for herself, but she had seen his tired face and therefore decided to make one for him. She had spent so much time on it that she barely had time to practice the dance routine her dance instructor had given her, thus earning her a lecture. “You didn’t have any problems reading my handwriting right?” But before Junhong could answer, Sooyoung’s friends had come back from wherever they had gone too. “Hello Junhong, what brings you to this side of the classroom?” They had asked. “Just thanking Sooyoung-ssi for her study guide. It helped me a lot on our last test.” He flashed them a smile before leaving and Sooyoung was glad he left because for the next hour or so she had to deal with them teasing her about liking Junhong. “Trot? I didn’t know you like trot. Sure, let’s hear it.” He said as he walked over to the crowd with an amuse face.“Yah, Choi Junhong, you’re not supposed to agree with them.” She pouted.“You’re the singer, why don’t you sing for us?” She quickly suggested.“No, I’m a rapper, besides we all know you can sing.”“You guys do?”“Sooyoung-ah, this is SOPA; school of performing arts and didn’t you say you sang a song for your audition. Since you’re here you must have a decent enough voice right?” A classmate rationalized and Sooyoung nodded her head in agreement.“Sing. Sing. Sing.” Her entire class started chanting and she realized the entire class had turned their attention on her. She sighed. If they wanted trot, they were going to get trot. Taking a deep breath she glanced at Junhong who gave her an encouraging smile before reciting the first verse of Jjan Jja Ra.♥♥♥♥♥Junhong shielded his eyes as he made his way out of the school. The sun was maliciously glaring down, threatening to burn a hole in his skin and as spotted the company’s car waiting for him a couple of blocks down the street something else caught his eyes, well his ears first.“Tell teacher-nim that I’ll be late. I know. I completely forgot that I had a meeting with Mr. Jung. I know we have practice. I know this could make or break me. Yah! I am hurrying. I’m hanging up now.”He watched as a flustered Sooyoung ran pass him.Teacher-nim? Practice? Make or break? All of those sounded suspiciously like things a trainee would say.Was Park Sooyoung an idol in training? Her looks could definitely pass for one. Her singing? Junhong thought back to when she sung Jjian Jja Ra in class. Her voice had been so clear and sweet, almost as if it was honey.“Hey hyung, is there a company that specialized in trot singing?” He had asked Yongguk during one of their breaks. B.A.P was currently practicing for their “LIVE ON EARTH PACIFIC” tour.“Trot?”“Maybe. Do you mean big companies or small companies? Why the sudden interest?”“Ah nothing. Just wondering.”“What’s this I hear about trot?” Daehyun said as he sat down beside the two of them, handling them both water bottles.Practice resumed, but Junhong couldn’t concentrate. The possibility of Sooyoung being a trainee was a stretch right? Then again, he figured half the students attending SOPA had dreams of becoming an idol and he would bet that many of them were already trainees at some company already.It could be possible, now that he thought more about it. She had suddenly transferred during the second half of the school year, perhaps she had audition and the company had decided to transfer her. Maybe she wasn’t originally from Seoul and that’s why she had to transfer. No, that didn’t make sense either. He had heard her talking about her family once or twice to her friends and it would seem like she was currently living with them.It would also explain her tiredness from time to time. She had always been bright and talkative, save for the first few weeks when she didn’t know anyone, but after making friends she was suddenly a different person. The kind of girl who could make anyone smile with her bright personality. However, some days she would come to school with such big eye bags that it was clear she didn’t get much sleep. Why was he thinking so much about it? If Sooyoung was a trainee, he should encourage her to do her best. He couldn’t forget his trainee days as well, practicing till his bones were sore to prove he had what it took to become an idol. Waiting for the day he would finally debut was the hardest. There were times where he thought he never would and he wondered if Sooyoung was feeling the same.By a miracle, BAP had the evening off and as Junhong was packing his bag, he caught sight of Sooyoung dashing out the door. Without thinking, he quickly stuffed the remaining items in his bag and dashed out the door as well.He saw the familiar black van of his company but turned in the opposite direction, following the girl instead. He was glad he had kept an extra hat in his bag and quickly pulled it out as he walked after the girl. It wouldn’t cover all of his dark gray/silver hair but it was the only thing he had at the moment and he hoped it would be enough to last him for a few hours. Summer wasn’t the best time to go sneaking around, but winter, now winter was the season for idols to sneak around or to put it simply, enjoy a freer lifestyle.Walking down the streets, he realized he was in an area he hadn’t really been before and wondered what company Sooyoung belonged too (if it was indeed true that she was even a trainee). Mouth agape and wide eyes, Junhong watched Sooyoung disappeared through the doors of a building with the letters SM adorn on the front side of the building.  Sooyoung was definitely a trainee, but not just any trainee, an SM trainee.What was he doing with his life at the moment? Junhong didn’t know. A day where he was supposed to be resting had turned into a day where he was stacking out in front of a huge company. This was borderline creepy and he wasn’t even sure why he was still there. Perhaps he needed more proof, but proof of what? He had clearly seen Sooyoung enter the building through their high tech sliding door.Taking off his hat he, ruffled his hair in frustration. He should go back to the dorm.“Junhong-ssi?” Junhong froze in his spot. Turning around he saw Sooyoung in a casual tee with yoga pants and if it wasn’t clear before, it was definitely clear now that she was a trainee.“What brings you here?” She asked and he knew he had to answer correctly if he wanted to get out the situation without her knowing that he had followed her.“I uh, I had the afternoon off and decided I would go for a walk to, uh clear my mind.” He lied and hoped she would buy it, but judging from her unamused face, he could guess she didn’t.“Hmmm….what kind of idol would take a walk, straight after school, in broad daylight with only a cap barely covering his seemingly noticeable gray hair, for four hours and magically end up in front of an entertainment company he isn’t from?” He looked down at his outfit and as if the situation wasn’t bad enough, his stomach just had to growl. When he finally had the guts to look up at her, she had her arms crossed against her chest.“Ah well, I guess curiosity does kill the cat. Let’s go grab something to eat. My treat.” She said as she walked pass Junhong.“Don’t worry, this place is low key. You won’t be noticed. I promise.” She said turning around and Juhong had no choice but to follow her because he was starving and he still had questions he wanted to ask her.♥♥♥♥♥Sooyoung would be lying if she said she wasn’t enjoying this, sitting in front of Junhong as if it was a date. Of course she knew it wasn’t a date and the circumstances leading to this “date” wasn’t all ideal but she’ll take it. It was a little creepy to be honest, but at the same time it had made her feel flatter that Junhong was interested enough in her to follow her all the way to SM entertainment and wait four hours for her.“Why are you staring at me like that?” He asked, a tone of nervousness evident in his voice.“I just want to know what you were really doing there.” She saw him shift uneasily in his seat and a smile appeared on her face. Perhaps she was enjoying this too much.“I-uh,”“You followed me didn’t you?” She interjected and when he looked down at his plate guilty of charge, Sooyoung confirmed her suspicion.“I knew it. I thought I felt someone following me, but I thought I was just imagining things. Yah Choi Junhong, what do you have to say for yourself?” She really thought she was going crazy while going to practice and she had to keep telling herself she was just being paranoid.“I’m sorry. Are you mad?” He looked so much like a guilty puppy that Sooyoung had to stop the urge to go over and hug him, instead she settled for a laugh.“Should I be?”“Nah, I guess I’m more flattered if anything, I mean an idol following a mere commoner like me? When does that ever happen?” She laughed again.“Well, I’m glad you’re getting some entertainment out of this. I seriously feel very embarrass right now.” Junhong finally said.“Yah, it’s not my fault. I didn’t tell you to follow me.”“True.”“But, why were you following me?”“I had a strange suspicion that you were a trainee and wanted to know if it was true.”“You could’ve just asked me.”“But I’m your fan.” He said using ageyo and Sooyoung had found it cute until she realized he was mocking her.“But really, an SM trainee. Wow, you’re going to be big one day.” He commented once their food was brought to them.“Hmm…I don’t know. Being a trainee doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get to debut. I heard of a trainee who’s been there for six years now and you know SNSD, some of their members were trainees for over seven years. I’ve only been there for not even a year. It’ll be a while before I debut.”“Still, if this is what you do, you shouldn’t let that affect you. It doesn’t matter how long you’re a trainee, as long as you keep wanting to be a singer than work hard until you do debut.” Sooyoung smiled at him. This was another reason why she couldn’t keep her eyes off him.“So, are you going to tell the class or am I?” Her smile disappeared, “we’re not telling the class anything.”“Why not? They’ll think it’s cool. I mean if I thought it, I’m sure there’s others who are also wondering if you’re a trainee.”“No. You can’t. We’re not telling anyone anything. Let’s just keep this a secret between the two of us. Okay?”When Junhong didn’t answer Sooyoung scooted to his side and placed her hands on his shoulder.“Junhong-ssi, please don’t tell anyone yet. I’m not ready.” She pouted, shaking his shoulder.“Fine, only if you do me a favor.” She stopped shaking but her hand rested on his shoulder.“Fine, what is it?”“Drop the honorifics. Don’t call me Junhong-ssi anymore.”“Reall that’s it?” She was expecting something more demanding, like be his slave for a week or do his homework, but dropping the honorifics? Sooyoung scoffed, Juhong was such a softie.“What should I call you then? Creeper, stalker Junhong?”“Oh and you can’t mention that I followed you to anyone.” He added.“Why? I was about to go write an article about how B.A.P’s maknae Zelo stalked me.” She playfully stated, laughing as she made her way back to her seat across from him.“You wouldn’t would you?” Junhong asked seriously and she thought it was cute how worried he was.“Yah, I like you too much to want to sabotage you. It’s you who you should worry about though. Being out in broad daylight with a horrible disguise. Not to mention having dinner with a girl. What if the paparazzi finds out? I haven’t debuted yet but I do know the dos and don’ts of an idol.” She cheekily said hoping to lighten up the mood.“I wouldn’t worry about the paparazzi, they would never believe that I was dating you anyway.” He laughed and Sooyoung was left confused. What did he mean they’ll never believe that he was dating her?“Yah! What are you implying by that? I’m not pretty enough?”The night had been filled with laughter and as soon as Juhong was out of sight, Sooyoung let out the squeals she had been holding in the entire time. She wasn’t expecting much from their budding “relationship,” but she was simply happy she had gotten to spend time with him outside of class. ♥♥♥♥♥Junhong had barely opened the door the dorm he shared with his B.A.P hyungs when Himchan swung the door opened for him. “Yo Junhong, where did you go? I thought you were supposed to be resting today?” Himchan asked the moment he stepped foot inside the dorm.“I did rest today. I just had other plans that came up.” He replied.“Did you already eat dinner?” Youngguk asked from the kitchen. It would appear that his members had already ate dinner as well, as Youngguk was currently washing the dishes.“Yeah, I grabbed it while I was out.” He went to his bedroom and quickly changed out of his uniform into something more comfortable, before stepping back out into the living to place himself between Jongup and Youngjae on the couch.“Friends?” Youngjae asked.“Yeah,” and Youngjae nodded his head.“Friends or friend. Girl or boy?” Jongup asked mischievously. Junhong rolled his eyes, choosing not to answer the year older hyung.“Ooo, maknae’s not answering so it must be a friend and a girl.” Jongup shouted loud enough for Youngguk to hear in the kitchen.“Ah hyung. Youngguk hyun, Jongup hyung is lying.” He slapped Jongup on the side.“Is this true Juhong?” Yongguk’s voice entered the living room and he shot Jongup with daggers before turning to look at his leader.“No hyung. Like I said, Jongup hyung is lying.”“Okay, you know you’re not supposed to be dating yet. It’s not because the company doesn’t want us to date. It’s more for the girl, imagine how she would feel. We’re constantly going from events to events, or if we don’t have events, we have practice. Girls need a lot of time and it’s just really impossible to fit a girlfriend in our schedules as of now.” Youngguk spilled and Junhong could only nod his head as if he was really paying attention.Leader always gave his speech as to why the company didn’t let them date and although it was a valid reason, having to hear it for the hundredth time was annoying. It wasn’t like he was dating in the first place. He had only had dinner with a girl he had wanted to become close with and judging from the why the dinner had gone he was pretty satisfied with their improvement, but that was beside the point. It had taken time, but she was finally going to drop the honorific with him. Not that he was paying attention, but he noticed he was the only one she was still using honorifics with in their class. He blamed his busy schedule, if only he was at school more perhaps she would have gotten more comfortable with him sooner, but he was an idol and idols were almost never at school.Lying in bed he reached for the mechanical robot and turned the key and watched it walk towards him across his desk, before closing his eyes.<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>You guys this chapter is 3428 words! This is the most I've written for any chapter...lol I get excited just when I hit the 1000 mark. Anyway, yay! They're finally somewhat friends now. Be prepare for Winter 2013, cause I can already tell you it might (hopefully) be filled with lots of cuteness.Thanks for subscribing and continue to comment please. XD