Wake Up//Ateez OT8xreader

06: Challenge 2 and a Postponed Conversation

The next 2 days were full of more rehearsals and lingering touches from San and Mingi. Seonghwa watched knowingly. Of course he knew! Why would I think he didn't. The meeting Hongjoong had talked about still hadn't happened, but that's okay. I could get my hopes up, but deep down I knew, these guys were way out of my league.

It was the day of the 2nd challenge. I woke up at 5 am knowing I needed to be down to hair and makeup by 6. I showered and got dressed in a pair of jeans and a tshirt knowing I would be changing anyways once I was at the Arena. I called my mom this morning to check in, knowing today would be crazy and I hadn't talked to her much since I got here. It was nice to hear her voice. It calms the chaos of my brain.

Once I was ready to go, I made my way down into the lobby and across the street. I grabbed an apple on my way. I hadn't seen Ally much these last few days, but we had hair and makeup at the same time so we could chat then.

Walking into the arena, it was weird. It was completely quiet, a complete contrast to the last time we were here. It was calming but unsettling as I knew we could be on the stage in just 6 short hours. I walked through the door to the dressing rooms, finding room 6 shortly after. I walking into and greeted the stylists as they were just finished setting up.

Once my hair and makeup was finished up, I headed out of the room for a breather. Making my way back up the stands and to the front entrance. I was shocked to find hundreds of people lined up outside. I obviously couldn't take that door outside and I wasn't about to go on a scavenger hunt. It was about 3 hours out from showtime and we weren't getting dressed until about an hour before.

I decided instead of going outside, I'd just find a quiet room to sit in and go over things one more time before I rounded up the guys to do our final group run through. As I made my way back down the stairs and into the hallway, I was pulled into a room. I started to freak out as it was pitch black.

As the lights were turned on, I met the eyes of all 8 members of Ateez standing throughout the room. All dressed in 3 piece straight black tux's, hair and makeup already done.

"Is everything okay? What's going on," I asked as they just continued to stare at me.

"So about that conversation we need to have," Hongjoong started.

"No, nope, not happening. I'm just a few hours away from performing in front of who knows how many people, not to mention you all, and you decide now's the right time? Who's idea was that?" I cut him off mid sentence as I started to back out of the room towards the door. Atleast until I felt two hands on my waist from behind me. I turned my head to meet Wooyoungs eyes.

"Yes it's happening, weather it's now or after all of the performances is up to you, but it is happening today. We're all sick of you being awkward around us. I don't like it and neither do they," Seonghwa snapped at me. 

I nodded, understanding where he was coming from but also a bit thrown off with the abruptness of his little rant.

"After please, I really need to focus. I'm nervous as it is, this will just make it worse. I'm sorry," I said as I pushed past Wooyoung to leave.

I ran down the hall and down to room 9 where we all agreed to meet. The rest of the guys were already there, makeup and hair done as well. I greeted each of them and we got to work on our final rehearsal. Seonghwa and San notified us they were unable to partake in final run throughs yesterday as we were wrapping up.

After a few last minute details were attended to, we made our way to the rooms where they stored all of the outfits for all 5 groups. Walking in was chaotic as the stylists were making last minute adjustments to other groups. I caught Allys eye from across the room giving her a big thumbs up and a smile. She did the same back looking just as nervous as I felt.