My Shining Light

Chapter 3

When the morning session was finally over, Aera gathered up the idols and led them to a number-coded locker room where they could dump their bags.

She explained that they could use this room each Tuesday when they came to do the program. It was fitted with a few cupboards, a small red couch, and some little coffee tables and stools.

It looked to Lucy like a good hideaway where she could get some work done in the breaks. She pulled out her iPad and began checking her emails. There were so many! It was hard taking a day off to do this program but it was also good to get away from work for a bit.

The other idols left their bags and headed to the staff room to eat lunch. Lucy sat down on the worn out couch and got out her phone. Lunch would have to wait, she had some urgent work calls to make. 

...

Lucy finished her last call. She was just about to pack up her iPad when she heard a knock at the door and the passcode being entered.

The lock beeped and Jinwoo poked his head into the room. He was wearing a cap now, and with his hair pushed back, she could see his studded earrings and strong jawline.

"Hi, sorry to interrupt," he said in his deep voice, "Manager Kim sent me to get you so you don't miss out on lunch. The Astro members eat a lot so if we don't go now, they might eat everything before you get any." He smiled such a cute smile that it gave her butterflies in her stomach.

"Oh, thanks for thinking of me, I'll be right out" she said, and began packing up her things.

Lucy bit her lip as she began walking beside Jinwoo toward the staff room, wondering at the effect he was having on her.

It was like being in high school again! Did you still get crushes that made you nervous once you were an adult? All she knew was that she wanted to see him smile again.

Up ahead, the hallway was empty but they could hear voices coming from around the corner.

One of the voices was Aera's and the other was a man's Lucy didn't recognise. Jinwoo and Lucy both slowed to a stop when they heard Lucy's name.

"...I've just been told that you have someone in the project team who isn't an idol."

"Yes, that would be Lucy, she's not an idol."

"That blonde American?"

"She's not American..."

"Whatever. It's not right, she doesn't belong in the team. The Xenaz are the female balance to the team, there's no need for this random girl."             

"Actually..." Aera tried to interject but was interrupted again.

"I want Xenaz to shine and-"

"Actually!" Aera interrupted loudly, "this project isn't about the Xenaz, or even Astro, it's all about the students. This is their time to shine, to get the support of real professionals in the music industry. And to be frank, the Xenaz aren't that qualified. They're a small girls group who haven't even performed outside Asia! Lucy, on the other hand, is a renowned composer who at her very young age has produced and composed songs for artists such as BTS and Justin Bieber, not to mention her OSTs. Her vocal range is outstanding and your lead singer couldn't match her in pitch or quality now or ever. So if there's someone to be dropped from the program it's not Lucy, but the Xenaz!" Aera sounded out of breath and the man was silent for a second.

"Well, we'll see what the company and principal say about this!" he spat, and loud footsteps could be heard walking away.

Lucy stood frozen as she listened. Her throat constricted and anxiety ran through her chest. The butterflies were gone and now her face was hot with embarrassment to hear this conversation, especially in front of Jinwoo.

She started to bite her lip again. She always felt like an outsider. She was so obviously different to everyone around her. Sometimes she just wanted to blend in, but there was no hiding her long blonde hair and curvy frame, the fact that she wasn't Korean. But this was who she was, and Korea was her home.

Jinwoo whispered her name, and tilted his head towards a door that led outside. They stepped outdoors and began to take another route to the staff room.

...

Lucy wanted to hide under a rock. Her and Jinwoo were almost at the staff room and could hear MJ and Sanha's crazy laughs through the open windows. It made her nervous to face them all.

Then Jinwoo said her name again. He had such a sweet, soft way of saying it.

"Lucy?" He had stopped outside the door and was waiting for her.

She didn't want to look at him because she was still so embarrassed that someone didn't want her on this project.

Do I really deserve to be here? she thought. It's true that she wasn't an idol, and Aera's words may have just been the words of a best friend, not a manager.

She took the courage to look up into Jinwoo's almond shaped eyes and answered, "yes?"

"Did you really write a song for BTS?"

"Well... I wrote one with them, but that was years ago," she replied shyly.

"Really?! Wow! That's incredible! You must be an amazing composer." His eyes were lit up and he looked at her amazed.

"Wait til the students hear that, they're going to be really inspired and eager to learn from you. It's great to have you working with us."

He gave her a warm and comforting smile that eased the anxiety inside her.

"Come on," he said, "you'd better get some food so you're energised for this afternoon. Apparently we're going to watch the students perform!"