Nine: THE PLOT TWIST NO ONE EXPECTED
1822 Words
"Yuri!"
I saw Gianna coming out of the dance studio and running towards me. She was excited to see me.
I met her with open arms and we hugged tight.
She's a co-trainee, the closest I have among the girls.
"I haven't seen you for a week. Why aren't you attending training anymore?" she asked when I pulled away from her embrace.
We were at the agency's building, just outside the dance studio where we do training.
"I just came here to get my things," I said.
She looked at the bulky backpack on my back. "What do you mean? You're not gonna train anymore?"
"I… I didn't get any call from them," I admitted.
"But it has only been a week. I heard that a couple of trainees got a call early today. Maybe they're not yet done with the evaluation," she said.
I just smiled at her.
"And not getting into CBX Entertainment doesn't necessarily mean that you're not gonna debut anymore," Gianna added. "I heard that there will be another audition next month. Another Korean entertainment company's coming over here for an audition. Please don't quit yet."
I heaved a deep sigh.
"I have carefully thought about it and… and I have decided that… if I won't pass the audition this time, I'm just gonna drop being a trainee once and for all," I said with a heavy heart.
"But why?" Gianna pulled a long face.
"Let's just say, there are things in life that we cannot force to happen. We should know when to let go," I said.
"Awwww." She looked like she's about to cry now.
"You don't have to be sad. I'm okay, really. I think this is for the best so I can focus on my studies." I was trying to cheer her up. "And by the way, congratulations on passing the auditions. I heard it from Mael. I'm so happy for you." I mean it with all of my heart.
She heaved a deep sigh. "I don't know if I can pursue it, though."
"What do you mean?"
"It looks like we need to shoulder everything. From the airfare and all. We're on our own until we get there," Gianna said. "My parents said they're gonna try to look for a way to come up with the money I needed but I somehow feel guilty about having them go through that. I mean, there isn't even any assurance. It's a big risk."
"I'm gonna pay for your airfare," I said without any hesitation.
"What?"
"I'm gonna buy you a ticket to Korea," I repeated.
"You must be kidding, right?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Nah, nah. You can't do that." She shook her head.
"I am serious."
"I can't possibly let you do that. No, no."
"But why?"
"I know you've worked hard for that money. I can't possibly accept that."
"But I saved this for that purpose."
"For your ticket. Not mine."
"But I'm not going to Korea anymore. I don't need it now. You can use it instead. I know it wouldn't be enough but at least you don't have to worry about your ticket anymore," I insisted.
"You may still use that money for something else," she said.
"Listen." I held both her shoulders. "I would feel terribly bad if you'll miss this once in a lifetime chance. I am not doing this for you but for myself. I will be haunted by my conscience for the rest of my life if I know that I have the means to help you but I chose not to do so. Plus, wouldn't it be wonderful if one of us actually made it?"
I saw her sniff. "Are you sure about that?"
"One hundred and one percent sure!"
"Awwwww." She pulled me into a strong embrace.
"You just need to promise me one thing, okay?" I said as I kept tapping her back.
She pulled away from me. "What is it?"
"Promise me that you will do your best once you get there. Promise me that you will fight for your dreams up to the very end."
"I will." She was teary-eyed. "This fight is for the both of us."
"Good girl," I said as I patted her hair.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked once again.
"Yes, I am. Now stop asking."
She chuckled. Then her face lightened up.
"So how was meeting Crest 88 in person? I've heard that Skye even asked you to show him the way to the men's room. Lucky girl! All the other trainees were so jealous of you."
I just smiled.
Gianna couldn't make it on the first day of the audition so she went on the second day. Unfortunately, Crest 88 was no longer available on the second day since they had to shoot a TVC. So those who attended the second day of the audition weren't able to meet the group.
"So tell me, what did he tell you when you were accompanying him to the restroom?" Gianna asked.
"Nothing."
"What do you mean nothing?"
"He just said thank you and that's it."
"He didn't say anything to you aside from that?"
"No."
"Did you take a selfie with him?"
"No."
"But why? It was a chance of a lifetime!"
"I dunno. I forgot to… to ask for a selfie."
"What? You just had a once in a lifetime chance of meeting Skye of Crest 88 up close yet you didn't even remember to ask for a selfie with him? Arghhhh!" She looked frustrated.
I chuckled.
"I couldn't blame you, though," she continued. "If I have a close encounter with any of the Crest 88 members, my brain might stop functioning, as well. I probably will not only forget to ask for a selfie. I will probably forget my own name, too."
Somehow I felt bad for lying to her, as well.
"Well, look who's here!" said a familiar voice from behind me.
I turned around and saw Doreen walking towards us with two other girl trainees. The 'Mean Girls' as Gianna and I call them.
"I heard that you didn't get a call from CBX," she said.
"She's not getting a call. Yet," Gianna corrected her.
"Oh, c'mon. Are you still honestly hoping that they're still gonna call you?" Doreen snickered.
"I don't think so," said one of the other trainees. "I heard that she went to empty her locker earlier. She must've realized that she's not gonna make it."
"Oh, really?" Doreen asked in exaggeration. "Are you quitting? For real?"
"She must've realized that she's not meant for this. I mean, let's be honest. She's trained the longest among us here," said the other trainee.
"Well, I heard that you didn't get any call from CBX, either," Gianna said to that trainee.
"So? I can still audition next time. I've only been training for 6 months. Plus I am only sixteen, I still have a lot of chances in the future," said the trainee while giving me sideward glances.
"Do you really think you have a future here when you can't even move that ass of yours properly? Did your mom crave for some log while she's pregnant with you? Is that why you came out that stiff?" Gianna bellowed at her.
"Enough." I held her arm. "That's enough."
Gianna took a deep breath and let it out to calm herself down. I smiled at her to let her know that it's fine. I can handle this.
I turned to Doreen. "Yes, I'm quitting. I hope you're happy now. And congratulations on passing the audition. I sincerely wish you good luck. Now please excuse us," I said before I dragged Gianna out of the place.
"How can you stay calm like that?" she asked as I dragged her away.
"There's no point in fighting with them. It's gonna be a waste of energy," I said.
The truth is I don't want Gianna to get in trouble. I know that if I hadn't stopped her, she might end up attacking Doreen, looking at how triggered she was earlier.
"How can you be that nice? I mean those girls are not human. They're hellspawn. They don't deserve your kindness!"
I chuckled. "I wasn't being nice. I just know when to use my energy properly."
"Yuri, wait!" Someone shouted from behind us.
I turned around and saw Mael running towards us.
"And here comes the reason why that hellspawn hated you so much!" whispered Gianna.
I just smiled. Everyone knows how huge of a crush Doreen has for Mael.
"Are you leaving now?" Mael asked, panting.
"Yup, I just came here to grab my things," I said.
"Uhm, I better leave you, two, alone. I'm going back to practice now," Gianna said.
"Sure, go ahead. Call me, okay? Once everything's final?" I said to her.
"Thanks," she said.
"No biggie," I said.
We hugged and she left.
"Do you really have to do this?" Mael asked as he was walking me out of the building.
"I think it's time that I focus more on my studies," I said.
"But do you really have to quit training? I mean, there will be auditions in the future. Your time must've not come yet."
I stopped walking and looked at Mael. I smiled at him.
"I'm fine," I said.
"But I'm not fine with this." He looked like he was about to cry.
"Just give me a fansign when you get to debut, okay?"
"Stop saying that. That's making me even more sad."
I cackled. That's when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
"Wait," I said as I took my phone out. "Hello?"
"Hello? Is this Yuri Baek?" said the woman on the other line.
"Yes, speaking. Who's this please?" I asked.
"I'm calling from CBX Entertainment to inform you that you passed the auditions. Congratulations! And please wait for further details from us."
The shock must've registered on my face because Mael kept asking who the caller was.
"Yes, I will. Thank you," I said before the caller dropped the call.
"Who was that? What happened?" Mael kept asking.
"It's from CBX Entertainment," I said. Almost in disbelief.
"What? What did they tell you? Did you make the cut?"
"Yes, I did."
"YES!!! WOOO!!!" Mael shouted.
"Shhhh!" I immediately covered his mouth with my hand.
We were just outside the building and he was getting the attention from some passersby.
"People are looking at us. They might think I just said 'yes' to you or something," I said.
"That's not a bad idea though," he answered, laughing.
"Oh, shut up!" I rolled my eyes. I couldn't help smiling, either.
It was like the biggest plot twist ever! Then I remembered something.
"There's one tiny problem, though," I said.
"What is it?"
"I just promised Gianna I'll pay for her plane ticket since I am not going to Korea anymore."
"Uh-uh."
- Writer
