better

chapter 14

"I wish we could go up there to support you," Irene frowned. The three girls were standing on the main floor of Cube Entertainment. Staff members were busy walking around, not having a second to spare. The day had came for the talent showcase, and Jennie was a nervous wreck.

"I know, I do too. I guess they don't want potential fans sneaking in and disturbing the idols."

"We'll be down here, as soon as you come back down. No matter what happens, we'll be proud of you. Always," Rosé gave her a supportive hug, followed by Irene.

Jennie headed to check in at the front desk, and the two girls headed to one of the café's they had. The front desk lady told her she was free to head up to the 7th floor, and Jennie nodded in thanks. She took hesitant steps towards into the elevator. She gripped onto her songbook tightly.

She spent whatever free time she had to rehearse her songs. She was worried she had spent too much time practicing, and would get a sore throat. That morning, she drank some calming tea before leaving the house.

Jennie hadn't seen Yuta in what seems like a while. Homework, on top of the showcase, were taking quite a toll on her. Yuta also had almost all advanced classes in his schedule, along with preparing for his future.

His absence is what should affect Jennie the most. She should want to have him by her side as she faces something this stressful. His face should be enough to calm her down, and feel comfortable.

He should be the one, but he isn't. Instead, she were wishing she got to practice more with Taeyong, and that he walked her to the showcase. She wanted him to be downstairs waiting for her when she was finished.

The ding of the elevator startled her, indicating that she was on the 7th floor. She put any thoughts of Taeyong in the back of her mind, and left the elevator.

Before she could take 10 steps into the hallway, she saw about 20 students waiting. Some were either sitting down, reading over what they prepared, or standing up, trying to calm their nerves.

A Cube employee came from behind her, handing her a name tag, as well as a queued number.

"Wait until the screen over there announces your number, and then enter those double doors at the end of the hallway, okay?" The lady smiled at her. Jennie flashed her a smile back. The lady then made her way to other students.

Jennie looked down at her number. Number 24. She took her nametag and placed it on her shirt. She looked around her, and gladly found an open seat.

Looking over her book for what seemed like a hundreds times, the screen announced she was up next. Jennie looked up, and took a deep breath. She glanced at a girl next to her, who smiled kindly at her.

"Good luck, Miss Jennie."

"Thank you, you too," she smiled at her, closing her songbook. She stood, and made her way through the heavy double doors.

Once she entered, she found that the room was actually a dance practice room. She recoginized it from watching dance practice videos of various cube artists.

Across the room sat a long table full of artists, and other nameless employees. Jennie tried to ignore their curious stares, and the huge tension in the air. To say she was intimidated was an understatement. She gulped, and she swore it could be heard across the room.