Hyun Jae tried to keep her head up as the professor talked on and on. She had no idea what he was talking about, so she glanced out the window and began to daydream. She envisioned thousands of people cheering for her. Costumes, lights, makeup, hair, backup dancers, sparks, a routine and a personalized microphone; all for her. It was all she ever wanted to do for as long as she could remember. She had always wanted to be a star and she knew she had the talent. She just wanted the class to hurry and end so that she could get to rehearsal. A nudge against her shoulder grabbed her attention. She looked up and saw a boy with brown hair looking through his bag. Noticing the pencil on the floor, she picked it up and nudged him.
"Are you looking for this?" He looked up from his bag and Hyun Jae's throat went dry. How had she never noticed him before? Everything about him was perfect. He had the most beautiful little eyes. He smiled at her and took it from her tiny hands.
"Thank you! What's your name?"
Shoot! What's my name? He's looking at me!! Why can't you remember your name, Hyun Jae?! That's it!
"Hyun Jae!" He smiled at her and pointed to himself.
"Jin Sang." He turned his attention back to the professor and she tried to focus on what Professor Dull was talking about. The bell rang and Hyun Jae picked up her bag, only to have it dump out all over the floor. She knelt down to pick it up and felt a warm hand brush against hers. She looked up to see Jin Sang staring down at her. Even kneeling, he hovered above her. He gathered all her items and stood up, handing them to her. She bowed her head and put them into her little bag.
"Thank you." He smiled at her and nodded his head towards the door.
"So you want to be a singer?" Hyun Jae gaped up at him, surprised by his statement.
"H-h-how d-did you-?"
"I over heard you talking about it. Plus, all the doodles in your notebook give me something else to stare at when the professor gets boring." He gave her a little wink and walked ahead of her. She ran a hand through her long hair and blew out a breath. How had she never seen him before? He was absolutely gorgeous and the shy smile tied it all together. Towards his direction she heard a loud scream of girls. Then she remembered that the entertainment company was down the street.
"Probably some idol." She turned in her flats and headed towards the club. She had a gig tonight paying ₩200,000 and her performance had to be perfect. That money could pay for her necessities and then some. And if she did good tonight, the owner said she would let her perform regularly. She opened the doors and walked straight up to the stage where everyone was casually standing. She bowed her head when everyone looked at her. The owner of the club smiled and gave her a hug.
"Jae-sshi! Are you hungry? I called Han's and had them deliever some takeout."
Hyun Jae smiled. Choi Soo Yun was 3 years older than her and had always treated her like a close friend. They had been friends since Kindergarten
"Sure, thank you! But just a little… I'm trying to watch my figure."
"Okay, well eat up because I have big news for you." Hyun Jae grabbed a plate and began to fill it. Once she sat on the stage, Soo Yun continued talking.
"Well, I've been snooping around and I found you a paid internship."
Hyun Jae felt her heart drop. "I thought I'd be working here."
"You will be! I found you something on top of the club that will get you closer to living your dream. You know JH Entertainment?" Hyun Jae's chopsticks fell out of her fingers and landed in her kimchi.
"Task Force, Woman League, and Double Entered?!?! Yes!!"
"Well they have an opening. And I recommended you. They want you to do it!" Soo Yun and Hyun Jae started squealing and jumping like fifth graders.
"You start tomorrow after school at 4. Then you come here at 9. Go home at 11. I'll watch Hyun Saeng until you get home. The rep said you'd be making roughly ₩375,000 every night."
"₩375,00?!?!?! That's enough to buy an apartment and groceries and-"
"I know that you and Hyun Saeng have been through a lot since your parents passed. I promised your mother when we were young that I would watch over her kids if something ever happened to her and vise versa. You have enormous talent and a soft heart. And I believe that you are going places. So make tonight your best performance yet." Soo Yun rose and enveloped her in a tight hug. "Now go to the back room and warm up."
"Thank you, Unnie." Hyun Jae grabbed her water and headed to the back room. She ran through her normal warm-ups and practice song; she even went over her choreography. She then went to mic check and costume. She went over her options, finally choosing the sparkliest dress she could. As she sat in the makeup chair, she tried to collect her thoughts. Her mother's last wish was for her to take care of her family and to follow her heart. Being six years old, she hadn't understood what that had meant. Cancer had jumbled her mother's thoughts and speech, making it difficult to talk to her. Her father then passed away when she was 11 from a stroke, leaving just her and her brother. Her life had been filled with hardships and burdens. Now she finally had a chance to keep the promise she made to her mother twelve years ago. She said a silent prayer and rose from her seat, heading toward the stage door. She cleared her thoughts as she stood on the stairs by the stage. She felt herself exhale as the fog machine started up.