Page 114 of When Worlds Collide
Eventually, they broke formation and bowed to the assembled audience, but namely the performance execs sitting in the front – the only people sitting. The room was loud with cheers and applause and they waved appreciatively before blending back into the crowd on the other side of the room where the other performers were sitting or standing.
“I thought they were the last?” I muttered to Hana, who cocked her head to hear me better in the room now buzzing with the combined mutterings of many other people.
“Nah, we’ve got one more.”
“But who-”
My words cut off, and it became apparent who. PrettyYOUngthings had filed out of the crowd to take up positions in the middle of the room.
Picking out Lee Hyejin was easy, since she was right in the centre. They all looked fashionably put together in edgy styles that complimented their long legs and narrow waists. Like everyone else, I went through bouts where I hated the reflection in the mirror; I was too short, too soft, my cheeks too round. Usually I was able to push it down. But right then, looking on as PYT launched into a high-energy, boppy number that was sure to net them accolades, I felt… inadequate.
Looking at her, the way she moved, the overall perfection of her visual, it made perfect sense to me why gossip blogs kept linking her with Jihoon. On the surface, anyway. I had to remind myself that according to him, they barely knew each other.
My eyes drifted over to where I now knew GVibes was standing, in amongst the other groups and trainees. An acidicthought went through me I could no more control than the cloud controls when the rain falls. Did he ever watch her the way I’d watched him?
I tried to push it down. Deep down. It was like trying to stuff an over-packed suitcase closed, but I managed it. Eventually.
I watched in silence as they finished their number to cheers just as loud as they had been for GVibes, and I tried to remember we were all here for the same reason: to help these groups succeed.
Showcase over, we all filed out into the substantially cooler corridor. We were the last to leave, being right at the back. The corridor was deserted by the time we pushed open the doors. I took a deep breath, feeling like I fully expanded my lungs for the first time in hours.
“I’m going to the loo, be right back.” Hana said, tapping me on the arm.
“Yeah, okay.” I waved her off as I leaned against the wall.
I’d just closed my eyes when-
“Did we bore you that much, sweetheart?”
My eyes flew open. Min Taeyang was standing in front of me, smirking.
“No-no, of course not. It’s just hot. I’m… hot.” I finished lamely, wishing I could smack myself in the face without it looking weird.
Taeyang chuckled, and shoved his hands into his pockets. He was leaning entirely too close to me, considering we were in a public corridor.
“Someone thinks awfully highly of themselves.”
Was he… was he checking me out? Holy shit, I’m pretty sure this was flirting. Why was Min Taeyang of Sol8 flirting with me?
My cheeks burned. “No! I-sorry, what?”
He laughed, glancing away for a moment before saying, “See you around, Ky.” Winking, he walked away while I was frozen to the spot.
“Now it’s Taeyang as well? My, my.”
I jumped at Hana’s voice, so close to my ear she was practically leaning over me. I hadn’t even noticed her approaching. Damn, why was everyone getting the jump on me today?
“What?” I said distractedly, turning to look at her just as her face relaxed.
“Nothing,” she said lightly as she waved a hand through the air.
“Come on, let’s go eat.”
I nodded and pushed off the wall, following her back down the corridor.
We’d just reached the stairwell when my phone vibrated with a notification, and I pulled it out.
Joon
