Finding the Right Words

Chapter 48- Ready For Anything

"Minsung-ah, are you alright?" Ryeowook sat at the piano, eyeing me with sweet concern.

I shook my head. "I feel like I betrayed my family a little bit."

"When they told you to delete your blog and Facebook?"

I nodded. "It feels like being here is pulling me away from them, and I'm letting it. But as soon as the CEO told me that I had to delete them, or I had to stop being friends with idols... I just did it. I did EXACTLY what I was told, because I can't stand the thought of staying away from you all." I plopped down on the bench next to him and leaned onto the piano, instead of leaning on his shoulder like I really wanted to do.. "I don't know who I am anymore. The me before all of this would have struggled and fought like a shark on a fishing line."

He patted me on the head. "I'm sure they understand, Minsung. If they didn't, it would be really sad. So just concentrate on the song, okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you're right, Oppa. This is our last practice before the real thing, right?"

"Yes. So come on, Minsung, up you go." He pushed me off the piano bench gently.

I stood, laughing a little. "Okay, okay, fine. You start."

He shrugged, lifting the piano cover and beginning to play. I watched him for a little while, watching his fingers dance over the keys. I loved watching him play piano. He always got the peaceful look on his face, yet he seemed to be concentrating so hard. Henry could play piano really well, too, but it wasn't quite the same as Wookie. With Henry, I was more entranced by the violin. 

Ryeowook didn't have beautiful hands. In fact, they were bony and a bit gnarly, but when his long, thin fingers played over the keys, it looked like magic.

"Minsung? Why are you staring?"

I shook my head violently, breaking my trance. "I-I'm sorry. I just love watching you play piano."

"Minsung-ah, the performance is tomorrow!" he scolded.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry. Start over?" I suggested, turning around to face the direction the audience would be the next day, mostly so I wouldn't be tempted to watch Ryeowook.

"Okay, now pay attention this time!"

The auditorium in SM was a hive of activity. SM's main staff-- managers, producers, CEOs, oh my!-- was all gathered, and in the air was this buzz of apprehension. Cameras moved about, ready to film videos of our performances, ready to be released when our debuts approached. If they approached. and they were also useful for giving us a video feed of what was going on onstage.

Backstage was even worse. It seemed like everyone was nervous. At least one girl had run to the bathroom to throw up, and plenty others were hyperventilating. The guys pretended to be calm, but I could see their chests heaving, their hands shaking. Can't fool these eyes. 

Even Min Hee seemed nervous. She kept looking around at our competitiors, biting her lip or commenting on people's outfits.

In our little corner, Min Hee, Tiffany, Ryeowook and I were playing cards. I guess the only trainee who wasn't really feeling nervous was me. Sure, I was filled with apprehension, but for some reason, knowing that Ryeowook would be on stage there with me made me feel completely confident. I didn't have to win. Just do well. Besides, whether or not the people at SM knew it, the song I would be singing fit my feelings perfectly. I could convey it.

"I raise Minsung two hundred Won." Tiffany challenged. Some of the other trainees were giving us dirty looks. 

"I fold. My hand sucks." I flopped my cards down, laughing.