Room 2129 (A 2yeon Fanfic)

Chapter 10: Nayeon

My mother told me that I was singing even before I could speak. Gibberish, of course, but I was able to harmonize before uttering words. She would let me perform in front of my grandparents and her friends. Not because she wanted to brag, but because I insisted on having an audience.

I carried this all throughout my childhood—joining local contests here and there. Some of the girls my age even withdrew their participation once they found out I was also joining.

"Nayeon-ah, you're the singer I couldn't be," she told me one time. She always displayed my awards and accolades—hell, even the sashes I wore—in one corner of our living room.

But everything changed when I saw IU on TV. I was instantly captivated. How could someone so meek and small hold that much charisma and vocal ability? The fact that she didn't need to be a part of a girl group made me admire her more.

"Umma, I want to be like her," I told my mother with my eyes still glued to the screen. "I want to be a famous idol."

"Honey, you don't want to be a part of that world," she calmly told me. She recounted her days as an actress trying to make it big in Seoul—how she met the most despicable of people and how they easily discarded others for monetary gain. My mother didn't want that for me.

Part of me felt sorry for her but, deep inside, another part of me thought she was insecure—that I could succeed where she didn't.

It took a while to convince my parents to let me go here. Included in the ordeal were a lot of fighting and tears. Eventually, they gave in.

So now here I am in Seoul—with one failed audition to boot. But I can't let that faze me. There are a lot of other studios in this city. I have to do this for appa, umma, my little sister, and me. I have to make this work.

***

"Nayeon-ah, it'll take me two days to finish the dress. Is that alright?"

"It's okay umma," I answer calmly, even though I wish I could have it sooner. I have another audition in two days!

"How are you over there, sweetie?" Appa joins in on the video call.

"I'm doing great. I actually met up with Yeri last week." Their faces light up. With how Yem Yem-ie frequently visited our house, she's basically their surrogate daughter.

"Really? How is she? I didn't know she was in Seoul," umma exclaims. She's so excited that her face now covers more than half of the screen.

"She looks very fashionable these days. She also told me that she misses your jjapaguri."

Umma smiles wider. "Then, tell her to join us when we bring your dress over!"

Excuse me, what? "Why not just have the dress delivered? I can just give you my address."

"No way! I won't let some courier handle my creation," she retorts with a tinge of indignation.

"Besides, we miss you," appa chimes in. Hearing those words suddenly puts a lump in my throat. Is it because we don't really get too sweet when we were together at home?

I quickly put the phone down and wipe a tear forming on my right eye. They can't see me like this.

"I miss you too," I say after collecting myself. "But there isn't enough room in the apartment for you to sleep in." Besides, I don't think you'd be able to have a good night's rest with a Yoo Jeongyeon here.

Appa clicks his tongue and chuckles. "Who said anything about sleeping there? When you requested a dress, we immediately booked a hotel room after!" Oh, thank God.

"Anyway, see you in three days? We love you, Nayeon-ah," umma says while blowing a kiss into the screen.

"Okay. Thanks again. I lo—"

Jeongyeon suddenly bangs on my door repeatedly.

"Look, I have to go. Love you guys," I quickly say before ending the call.

"Im Nayeon! Come o—"

"What now?! I wasn't even singing!" This Jeongyeon's really finding ways to irk me.

She falters a bit after my outburst, clears her throat, and says, "Hey, where you're from, is it alright leaving hair in the shower drain? Gross."

Really, Jeongyeon? You had to slam my door for that? Unbelievable.

After taking out just a few strands of my hair from the drain, I find Jeongyeon drinking a bottle of beer by the kitchen.

"You know, Nayeon-ssi," she opens up before I open my door.

What now? If you're going to be a brat, I'm not the mood. "What now, huh?" I make my annoyance apparent.

"Your clothes aren't the problem," she follows up before taking another sip off her bottle.

Out of curiosity, I turn my attention to her. "Huh? What?"

Nonchalantly, without even looking at me, Jeongyeon states, "It's in your singing."

Did she really just say that to me? My singing? I chuckle before responding: "Wow. You're one to criticize, huh?"

Jeongyeon shrugs as she tilts the bottle towards me. "I'm just saying. After all, the wall between our rooms give me no choice. It's amazing how you think you're 'gonna be a star' if you can't hear your mistake." I really hate it when she does her air quotes. I'm not stupid, okay? I can tell from the tone of your voice.

With my winning history, should I even consider what this clown is saying? But, okay Jeongyeon, I'll play along. "You seem to be quite the expert, Jeongyeon-ah."

She chuckles as she combs through her hair, turning it into an oddly beautiful mess of blonde and brown. "Of course. I've been a trainee in one of the Big 3 for years."