Life As A Trainee

Chapter 2: Why So Serious?

     "Ring!" The nagging shrill of the alarm was in contrast to the chilly silence of daybreak. I stifle a yawn and gave a lazy stretch, basking in the warm rays of the morning sun. I turn my head away from the light streaming through the windows, hoping to prolong my sleep a little longer. When I finally got up, I hear the front door slam shut. Min Ah always leaves earlier than me to avoid being seen walking with me.

     I shrug it off, having grown accustomed to her absence in the morning. With the scent of slumber still enveloping me, I stumble my way into the toilet.

     After showering and getting dressed, I went to make a cup of hot chocolate. I usually don't eat when I don't have to - it helps save some money. I take 3 granola bars and chuck them into my bag just in case I get hungry during the day. Steam swirled from the cup of hot chocolate as I sipped cautiously at the hot brew.

     After finishing the drink, I then made my way to the building by bus.

     Bags of all shapes and sizes dotted the walls of the dance room as the trainees unloaded the burden of their bags before joining their friends in chatter. I, however, sit at the back of the room, working on lyrics to a song I was writing.

     The song seems to be coming together and today has been going well, I thought to myself, smiling.

     Then like a record playing and suddenly being stopped and creating that all too familiar sound, my happiness comes crashing down at the sound of the 2 girls' voices.

     "Yah Baek Areum," says Hye Rin as she takes a step forward menacingly. I look away, refusing to meet her eyes.

     "Yah!" snaps Hye Ra, snatching away the paper in my hands - on which I had written the lyrics- before tearing it into shreds in front of me. I was furious, but I couldn't do anything about it. So I just sat and watched as the shreds of paper fell around me like confetti.

     "Class! Get into your positions!" said the teacher, saving me from the wrath of the 2 sisters.

     No one dared to do anything in front of the trainers so classes aren't all that scary. Its lunch that you gotta look out for.

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     Soon enough, it was lunch and I groaned inwardly at the thought that always came with it. Bullies. Trainers never ate in the cafeteria since they've eaten the food here for years and have gotten tired of it. Bullies see this as an opportunity to strike.

     Today, I didn't feel like hearing all the comments and insults of the other trainees so I went up to resume my individual training.

     I stepped into the silent studio where I recorded my cover of songs. I grin as I take in the interior of the studio, the various buttons tempting me. I spin around in slow circles, my hands waving in the air as I do, so as to take in all the details. "This room is so heavenly, I can kiss the floors," I say aloud to no one in particular.

     "Nah, you really shouldn't," a voice said from behind me.

      I stop spinning and turn around.

     Jihoon!

     I shoot him a sheepish grin, embarrassed that he had caught me.

     He chuckles, "What are you doing here alone anyways?"

     "I uhh just uhh I wanted to work on a song so..." I trail off.

     "What song? I'll help you record it."

     My ears perk up at his words.

     "Oh uhm no it's a uhh its an original piece," I stutter, still awkward around him.