Page 71 of XOXO

“We’re your MCs for tonight’s talent show!” they say in unison.

An enthusiastic cheer erupts from the tables.

“We’ve taken the names on the sign-up sheet, cut them all out, and put them in this hat!”

The girl holds up a bucket hat. “We’ll be calling acts at random, so get ready!”

“Where’d Gi Taek go?” Angela asks suddenly.

“Nathaniel’s gone too,” Sori says, though with suspicion.

On the stage, the girl pulls a slip from the hat. “First up we have a duo... Drumroll please.” The boy taps the rhythm on his leg. “Year Three students from SAA! Hong Gi Taek and Lee Nathaniel!”

Angela screams and stands up on the bench. Sori groans and places a hand over her face, though she does shift slightly in the direction of the stage.

Fast-tempo music begins, blasting from speakers on either side of the stage. Nathaniel and Gi Taek run out and immediately start to dance in perfect synchronization, rolling their bodies and moving in step with each other.

I’m enthralled, and honestly, super impressed. When did they have time to practice? The track switches to XOXO’s “Don’t Look Back,” and the crowd goes wild.

They perform a whole medley of songs as they switch from one song to another and another. They even throw in a few classics, like BTS’s “Blood Sweat & Tears” and SNSD’s “Gee,” which are huge hits with the crowd, everyone knowing the iconic moves. Even though I’m not familiar with some of the songs, I still enjoy myself immensely and feel particularly proud when I recognize a few from when Uncle Jay plays K-pop at the karaoke bar.

I don’t know what could top a performance like that, butthe next person pulled from the hat is an opera singer who belts out an epic power ballad that has people standing on their feet cheering. The rest of the night is a roster of amazing talent, of singers, musicians, and dancers. If this is a preview of the end-of-the-year showcase, it’s going to be incredible.

Toward the end of the night, I glance up to find Jaewoo trying to catch my attention. We’re sitting on opposite sides of the table with several people between us. Everyone’s chatting so I can’t hear him, though I can see his lips moving.

I shake my head, laughing. “I can’t hear you,” I mouth.

“Joo Jini?” The boy MC calls the final name in the hat.

“Joo Jini-ssi?” the girl repeats.

They lift their hands over their eyes, peering into the crowd.

“Did you go to bed already?” the girl sing-songs.

When no one approaches the stage, they look at each other, then shrug. “Well, that’s a bit of a letdown,” the boy says. “We have time for one more performance if anyone wants to close out the night? Anyone? Come on, friends. Don’t be shy.”

Jaewoo mouths more words at me, but I really can’t hear him.

He stands.

“Ah!” the boy MC exclaims. “We have a surprise volunteer!”

“Our last performer needs no introduction,” the girl says. “It’s SAA’s very own Bae Jaewoo!”

Jaewoo looks toward the stage, his expression one of surprise. The crowd laughs and then starts chanting his name. “Bae Jaewoo! Bae Jaewoo!”

When he starts moving toward the stage, a cheer goes up.On his way, someone hands him a guitar. And by the time he’s onstage, the MCs have set up a stool and mic.

The students quiet as he sits down, playing the opening chord of a song. Then it transitions into the melody of the first verse, and my heart goes still because it’sthesong, the one from the karaoke bar.

“Gohae.”

“Confession.”

“How can I tell her the words I want to say?”Jaewoo croons, his sweet tenor drifting over the campgrounds.

“When the world is against me, how can I tell her?”

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