Earn it

New Beginnings (scary ones)

Chapter 1

Yeji

It takes everything in me to gather myself and make everyone think I'm composed and calm, but deep inside, I'm shaking in my boots.

"Everyone, this is Yeji. The newest member of the crew", Coach Jin said.

While everyone started to gather around me, I noticed someone eyeing me carefully while taking her time walking towards the group. When she's within range, she spoke before I could even muster a hello.

"A new member? Enrollment and auditions ended 2 weeks ago, Coach. What happened with the strict guidelines in admissions?" She kept her eyes on me.

"Lia. I told you about special cases. Now hush and let Yeji introduce herself" That earned an eye roll from the girl.

I steadied myself and bowed. "Hello everyone. My name is Hwang Yeji. I came here from Jeonju to study performing arts and hopefully land a professional career in it, too."

Some girls shot me a smile, some waved and others went back to their business.

"Alright. I'm done here. Chaeryeong, I'll be assigning you as Yeji's buddy for the day. Introduce her to everyone, show her around the dorm and the basics on how we do things around here, alright?" A girl with cat eyes and a pretty smile nodded and approached me.

I smiled in return. "Hey Yeji. I'm Chaeryeong. But you can call me Chaer. Welcome to the team."

"So what classes are you in?"

I told her about some of my other classes. Since this school focuses on performing arts - singing, dancing, acting, and modeling - all the other classes are pretty minor and somehow connected to the industry, too. I signed up for the foreign language class, the literature class and chemistry since I still couldn't quite shake off the classes I had in my old school.

And I like chemistry. Something to fall back on if all this doesn't work out.

I learned that Chaer is a dance major. Her sister is in the upper year. And although I started a bit later than most of the people in the crew, I am only one to a couple years older than most of them. I also found out that Lia, the girl who seems to already dislike me, is also 21 years old like me. She's the unnie of the group, maybe that's why she's a bit appalled by a newcomer like me.

I hadn't really planned on moving. I was studying to be a Chemist when I was recruited by an agent from the university. My school wasn't big on the performing side but we've had some great school fairs and activities all throughout the year.

From time to time, I'd join the random dance challenges during foundation week and usually spend the day hanging out with my friends. It's a week of break, after all.

That's when one of the agents saw me and approached me after dancing.

"Hi. Excuse me", he stopped us while we were walking towards the juice stands.

"I noticed you dancing and I was very impressed by it. I'm an agent who works for a prestigious performing arts school in Seoul.

Do you happen to have a dream to be in performing arts? Because I can help you with that." He smiled at that and extended his hand for a handshake.

And that's where it all started.

"So I assume you also major in dance?" Chaer brought me back to my consciousness.

"I'm actually working on the documents for my double major", I told her.

"Double major? Really? That's cool! Only a few students are allowed to take two majors. You must be hella talented." She beams. I smiled back. I can already tell Chaer is a good person and didn't regret telling her about the double major.

"Oh, I didn't know about that. I discussed it with Coach Jin and he signed the initial papers that I need. I thought it's normal to have a double major" I said, honestly.

"Oh it's pretty normal in other schools, I suppose. But here, they want the students to focus on their forte. I guess you got two. That's nice. So what's the other one?" Chaer continued as several girls started to walk towards us.

"Singing".

"What about singing?" Lia said, as she approached us together with one other girl.

"Oh, Yeji is a double major. Dancing and singing. Just like you, Lia." Chaer explained.

"Oooh. That's the first. I guess Lia has to look out for competition." a tall, brunette teased. Lia did not pay any attention but I swear I heard a small scoff from her.

"I'm Yuna", she continued, "I live in the dorm unit with Lia, Chaer and Ryujin."

"Ryujin?" I asked, seeing that there's only four of us talking.

"She's one of the dancers and our roommate, too. She rushed out earlier to make up for some lessons in her photography class." Yuna answered. "What dorm are you in?"

I read the dorm number in my packet. "I'm in 1219. Do you guys know where that is?"

"Oh f*cking hell", Lia whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, but not the other girls who are busy double-checking my packet.

"That's right! You're in our dorm." Chaer said. "One of our roommates moved out a couple of weeks ago. I thought they wouldn't be able to replace her until next semester but you came just in time!" She seems genuinely happy and that made me smile.

"Let's go and have a tour around."

I didn't realize that I stopped shaking a while ago. I got lucky that Chaer is very nice and accommodating. I sure as hell wouldn't be able to survive Lia's intense glares boring through my skin the whole day.

A/N Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!