Through the Echoes

New Beginnings

The JYP trainee building hummed with energy. The sharp thud of basslines echoed through the hallways, accompanied by muffled voices and footsteps that never seemed to stop. The walls held dreams—big ones—along with the sweat and tears of every hopeful who passed through its doors.

Felix gripped his phone tightly as he stepped into the practice room. His sneakers squeaked against the polished floor, and the sound made him flinch. A room full of mirrors stretched out before him, and he caught sight of his own reflection—messy blonde hair, tired eyes, and a face flushed from rushing up three flights of stairs.

This wasn't home. No matter how many days he told himself it would feel like it, the truth settled heavily in his chest. Felix had spent months in Korea now, but the homesickness still lingered, as constant as his shadow.

"Breathe," he mumbled softly to himself. "It's just another day."

He looked around and realized he wasn't alone.

Across the room, someone was sprawled lazily on the floor, earbuds in and hoodie pulled low over his head. His fingers drummed a beat against his knee, matching whatever was playing in his ears. Felix tilted his head slightly, trying to place the guy's face. He'd seen him in passing before—he was one of the trainees who seemed to live in the studio.

The boy—Seo Changbin, Felix recalled—suddenly looked up. Felix froze in place as their eyes met. For a brief moment, neither of them said a word. Then Changbin pulled out one earbud, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

"You good?" Changbin's voice broke the silence, deep and clear.

"Yeah, I—I'm fine," Felix stammered, cursing himself for sounding nervous.

"You're Felix, right?" Changbin asked, pulling himself upright. "From Australia?"

Felix nodded. "Yeah, that's me."

Changbin grinned as he got to his feet, stretching his arms above his head. "Thought so. Your accent gave it away."

Felix didn't know how to respond. It wasn't the first time someone had pointed it out, but it always made him feel like more of an outsider. He looked down at his shoes, feeling heat creep up his neck.

Changbin seemed to notice. "Hey, don't look so nervous," he said casually, taking a sip from his water bottle. "We're all here to mess up and get better, you know? No one's perfect."

Felix managed a small smile. "Yeah... I guess so."

Changbin tossed his water bottle onto a pile of bags in the corner and then turned to face Felix again. "What are you here to work on today? Dance? Rap?"

"Both," Felix replied quietly. "I'm still catching up on the basics."

Changbin nodded, a spark of understanding in his eyes. "Well, you're not the only one. I used to suck at dancing. Still do sometimes."

Felix looked up in surprise. "You? But you're—" He stopped himself, realizing he didn't want to sound rude.

"Good now?" Changbin finished for him, grinning. "Trust me, I wasn't always. I still mess up all the time, but I just keep going."

His words, though simple, struck a chord in Felix. He'd spent so many nights wondering if he would ever measure up to the others—if his voice, his moves, or even his presence would ever feel "good enough." And here was Changbin, someone Felix had seen rapping effortlessly and commanding a room like he was born to do it, admitting he had struggled too.

"Don't quit," Changbin added, clapping him lightly on the shoulder as he walked past. "Just show up, every day. That's what matters."

Felix blinked after him, too stunned to respond. Changbin made his way to the speaker in the corner, fiddling with the music before a fast, hard-hitting beat filled the room. He grinned over his shoulder.

"You coming or what?" Changbin called out.

Felix hesitated for a second before taking a deep breath and walking toward him. "Yeah," he said softly. "I'm coming."

For the first time in weeks, the heaviness in his chest began to ease. Maybe he didn't feel like he belonged just yet, but Changbin's words stayed with him like a lifeline. Don't quit.

Felix didn't know much, but he knew one thing: tomorrow, he'd show up again.