"What are we going to do about Momo?" Jaehyun asked as they all gathered in the practice room the next day. "I know it's going to be hard, but we have to replace her or we're automatically disqualified from Nationals."
"I don't know..." Sana trailed off before turning to Hyemi. "Any chance someone from your brother's team wants to join us? Or maybe even Taeyong?"
"No. Absolutely not." Jaehyun immediately responded. "We're not taking Taeyong and we definitely aren't going to go so low as to poach someone from another team."
"Then what do you suggest we do, Jaehyun? Got disqualified?" Sana sighed out.
They sat in silence, all thinking on what to do when an idea popped into Hyemi's head.
"I, uh, I need to step out for a second to make a phone call. I'll be right back."
She quickly grabbed her phone and ran from the room, dialing a familiar number.
"Come on, pick up the phone. Please."
"Hello? Is everything-"
"Don't ask any questions. Do you have a dance routine ready?"
"Uh, yeah I guess, but what-"
"Great, get to the practice room in 10 minutes. Hurry!"
"Okay, but Hyemi what-"
"Bye!"
She shut her phone, saying a silent prayer as she went back inside, taking her spot next to Jaemin on the floor.
"What was that, Hyemi?" Jaehyun asked upon her arrival.
"Oh nothing, you'll see in a bit. It's a surprise."
The older member continued talking, trying to come up with a plan. Hyemi remained silent, a small grin on her face that didn't go unnoticed by Jaemin.
"What are you planning?" He asked, leaning over and whispering into her ear.
"You'll see. It's a surprise."
Soon they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Hyemi immediately sprung up from her seat.
"Hyemi, who's here?" Yuta called out, all the members turning to watch her now.
"It's my surprise."
She opened the door, giving the newcomer a quick hug and inviting her in. Jaemin's face immediately broke into a smile.
"Yeji?"
- - -
After quickly explaining what was going on to both Yeji and the members, Jaehyun agreed to let her audition. He kept his cold facade up around the newcomer, but quickly winked Hyemi when Yeji's back was turned.
"Alright, Hwang Yeji, let's see what you got."
Hyemi smiled brightly as Yeji danced, just as amazing and talented as her original audition. Hyemi still couldn't figure out why no one offered her a spot, in her eyes, Yeji was a far better dancer than some of the other first years offered. After Yeji completed the routine, the members gave her polite applause, all of them standing to converse in the corner, minus Jaemin and Hyemi.
"How did it look? Did I dance okay?" Yeji asked nervously, walking up to the two other first years.
"You did great, babe, I hope they say yes." Jaemin relied, throwing an arm around her shoulders and planting a kiss on her forehead.
Hyemi smiled at the couple, seeing how happy they were together, and nodded her head to agree with Jaemin.
"I'd be surprised if they didn't say yes. Even if Momo didn't leave, that dance was worthy of a spot on this team."
The three of them continued talking quietly before Hyemi's name was called.
"Hyemi." She turned around to see Jaehyun looking at her. "Come here for a moment, we the whole team's opinion."
Hyemi rose from her spot and began to walk over, closely followed by Jaemin.
"Nor you, Jaemin."
"What?" Said the younger boy. "Why not?"
"Because you're her boyfriend. Conflict of interest."
"Well Hyemi is her best friend! So why is it any different?"
"Jaem, stop. Not helping here." Hyemi whispered out between clenched teeth.
"Oh, uh, never mind, you're right. Sorry." He quickly nodded and went to go sit back down next to Yeji.
Hyemi just let out an amused huff, playful rolling her eyes at him before joining the other group.
"So, Hyemi, what's your call on this?" Yuta asked as she joined their huddle.
"I think she should be in. She's a great dancer, obviously, she works hard and is the right fit for us."
"You really think so?" Sicheng asked skeptically.
"I know so. I'm saying this as someone who intends to walk out of nationals with a first place trophy, not someone who just wants their friend on the team. You guys know how much I want to win, and Yeji will help get us there. Sure, she's no Momo, but she's Yeji and she'll bring her own special something to this team."
Hyemi watched as the older members exchanged quick glances with one another before all eyes landed on Jaehyun. He thought for a moment before meeting Hyemi's eyes, a small smile forming on his lips as he straightened up.
"Yeji?" He called to the younger girl. She quickly stood up and walked over. "You're lucky you have a good friend here who's opinion I trust. Congratulations, welcome to the All Stars team."
Hyemi and Yeji immediately made eye contact, wide smiles on their faces before they hugged one another, the two of them laughing together.
"Thank you so much! I won't let you down!" Yeji said, bowing to the older members once Hyemi released her.
"You had better not." Jaehyun relied coldly. "Alright, let's get warmed up. We'll start nationals prep tomorrow, I want to run a technique check today."
The members all groaned, splitting apart to put on their dance shoes and stretch.
- - -
Their prep for nationals was going well, and inviting Yeji to join them was definitely the right choice. Nationals was in 2 months. They were preparing a lot since nationals was a whole different level of competition.
It was done in an elimination style. 7 rounds of different types of dance and after each round, the two groups with the lowest total scores were eliminated. The problem was that they weren't told exactly what the dances would be each round, the only knew they needed at least one male solo and one female solo, two full group dances, and some combination of assorted trios, duos, and small groups. Each nationals was different, it was held over the course of a week and each day they would be told the style and type of routine to perform. It's safe to say that they were preparing a shit ton of dances just incase.
Jaehyun was also getting increasingly frustrated. Not with the team, they were doing great, but with Hyemi. Well not with Hyemi, but with their relationship. It hadn't gone anywhere. And that was the problem.
He kept trying to talk to her, but everytime he tried to find the right time, he was interrupted. Either by Taeyong trying to talk to her, Jeno or Jaemin making plans, the team walking in on them, or even some random phone call. He couldn't keep it to himself anymore and he was going crazy with the interruptions.
"Morning Jaehyun!" Hyemi called as she walked into the practice room for their early morning practice. "Jaehyun?" She said, looking up from her phone to see the room empty.
"That's weird..." she whispered, checking the time again. "He should be here..."
She looked around and noticed a piece of paper taped to the mirror. Curiously she walked over and pulled it off, carefully unfolding the note.
Hyemi,
Come find me, I have something important to tell you. Go to your locker for the next clue.
- J
Hyemi rolled her eyes, sighing at his playfulness before picking up her bag and leaving the room. She made her way down the hallway until she reached her locker. Once she opened it, a smile instantly came onto her face, seeing her favorite bubble tea waiting for her on one of the shelves with another note.
So you found the first clue. I brought you here because this is where we first met. To find the second clue, think about who buys you bubble tea the most? Head to their favorite place.
- J
She thought for a moment, but there was only one person in her mind and that was her brother. She quickly ran to their practice room to find another note taped on the front.
I knew it would be your brother. He's my rival but I sent you here because I'll admit that he takes great care of you, and I appreciate that. Next stop: what's my least favorite class?
- J
She ran to the 3rd year math room.
Good job, you know my least favorite class, who doesn't hate math. The meaning behind this clue is that one of the things I hate the most about myself is how much pressure I put on everything I do. You're the first person who I've really felt relieve some of that pressure. Thank you. For the next spot: try your favorite class.
- J
She ran to the biology room. Now she was starting to enjoy this. It was a little adventure.
Final clue, good job. I know this was kinda short but I didn't have much time. I'll tell you the meaning of this clue when you find me. To do that, go to the spot where you realized that you trusted me. I hope I'm right about where it is.
- J
She paused, trying to think back to all the places they've talked. She met him in the entrance hallway. They've interacted a lot in the cafeteria. They spend a lot of time in the practice room. She auditioned in the auditorium. But then it hit her. With a smile, she ran out of the room to go and find him.