Beyond The Stage

Check Up and Check Out

A/N
I didn't want to make the whole conversation with Alexis's mom bold, but it is in English. Everything else is in Korean.

Alexis's POV

After the São Paulo concert every other one went by without issue. Other than the usual fatigue, the members were okay and no one got injured. We traveled to New Jersey, then Illinois, and now we are in California. Interpreting went smoothly, and I now have five concerts of experience under my belt. And many more to come.

But while it's exciting and a lot of fun, traveling between countries and to three different states in less than two weeks does a lot to a person who's not used to it. I'm in a constant state of jet lag at this point. I've never traveled this much in my life. I have no idea how the boys got somewhat used to it while also having to preform for over an hour.

I haven't had much time alone with my soulmates lately to ask them about it, but the female staff members always joke with me about my tiredness. I honestly wouldn't have been able to leave on time without their help. Most of the time I'm pretty good with mornings, but not recently. They shake me awake, take my blanket from me, and sometimes roll me onto the floor to get me up and moving.

It sounds mean, but they take care of me. All of them are either my age or older than me, so we treat each other like family. They push me into the bathroom half-asleep, share skin products, and scold me if I haven't eaten; basically, the sisters I never had and the 'aunties' away from home as they like to be called.

The last morning of rehearsal, after the pushing and shoving to get me ready, my actual mom calls me.

"My baby! What's up kid?" She says making me smile. It's only been a few days since she last called, but I'm still not used to not hearing her voice every day.

"Nothing much, I've gotten pretty used to the tour life. The staff and I have been getting along well, they're super nice. We finally landed in California for the last venue in North America." I tell her. After the next two concerts, there's another international flight waiting.

"Oh, I remember visiting California. That was the worst week of my life."

I laugh, "Why?"

"Too much healthy stuff, too many bitches, too hot." She explains simply. "What even is vegan soy milk, aren't soybeans already vegan?"

"I think they were just saying that the milk is vegan."

"Who cares, Florida is a better fit for me anyways. With its cows."

"It's hot in Florida." I remark.

"You know, I don't like your tone very much."

I raise my arms in surrender, even though she can't see it. "You're right mom. Calm down."

"I haven't heard from you in forever and this is what I get." She whines.

"Mom, it hasn't even been that long. It's barely been a month."

"I know, but we're not used to you being away like this. I miss my baby." Her tone gets sad.

I talk softly, "I miss you too mom. How are Eddie and Elijah?"

"Eddie asks about you all the time. Taylor and I had to calm him down a few times in one of his crying fits." She says solemnly.

"Don't tell me that, you're going to make me cry."

"Well you asked," She argues. "Elijah misses you too, but he's too damn stubborn to admit it."

I imagine Elijah going around, claiming to be fine while pouting. He's not lovey-dovey like mom and Eddie, but I know he loves us. That's why he's so protective. "That sounds about right. What about Taylor?"

"He's easily the most helpful around here. He always cheers your brothers up, and he's so polite. Much better than the idiot who goes around moping all day. I swear, Elijah better hurry up and marry that boy or I will."

"You're right. I might too." We laugh together. The bout of homesickness I've been feeling lessens slightly at our conversation. I would ask you to come and visit, but the tour lasts until the end of the year. I'll try to find a break in the tour to come visit."

"I understand hon. Don't worry too much about it, we'll come see you sometime, whenever that may be. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters." She comforts.

"I am. They are amazing." A large grin makes its way onto my face just at the thought of my soulmates.

"See, I told you." She says slyly, recalling back to our argument a month back. "I'm going to video call you after this so Eddie can see you, okay?"

"Yes ma'am." I agree.

"Bye, I love you."

"I love you too." I answer. She makes a kissing noise then cuts off the call.

I finish combing my hair and washing my face, then go with my coworkers into the van. One of the other managers is traveling with us, sitting at the left with me in the middle. I don't think I've spoken to her before other than a few words. Whenever I need a manager, I just go to Sejin. Now that I'm better acquainted with everyone, I should start breaking out of that habit. Sejin will always be my number one though.

I decide to start conversation first. "Hello." I say politely to get her attention.

She smiles and greets me back. "Hello. You're the new interpreter, right?" I nod my head. "Ah, I've heard so much about you. I'm Song Ho-Beom, one of Bangtan's managers."

"I know, I just wanted to say hello, since I've never spoken with you before. I hope you don't mind."

She waves her hand in dismissal, "No, not at all. I'm glad. It's great that you are making friends with co-workers. Apparently, you are a good worker in general. And that you help the staff when you're not working?" She comments.

"Yes, but it's not much. I just feel bad when I don't have any work and everyone around me is working. It makes me uneasy." I say truthfully. I get paid salary, not commission. So technically, every day of the tour is a workday, even though I only interpret for rehearsals and concerts for a few hours. It makes me feel anxious just sitting around, even if there is nothing required of me. That's probably why I became friends with the staff so quickly.

"I really appreciate all your help though. I never thought that having an on-hand interpreter would be much different than just hiring per concert, but it actually makes things so much easier."

"How so?" I ask.

"The staff all know you. We see you every day and talk with you casually, so communication is a lot better backstage during the concert. Also, with you here, the other managers and coordinators can plan around the languages you don't know and hire other interpreters on those days instead of needing an entire schedule worked out for the whole tour. "

That reminds me of an issue I've been thinking about. "Actually, I don't know if you're aware, but I don't speak any of the languages for the next four countries we'll be visiting." The next four concerts are in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. None of which I am even slightly fluent at. "Do you want me to speak English for them?"

"It's not a problem. After the North American leg, we go back to Korea for a week before setting off again. I'll organize interpreters for those days. You'll probably just stay in Korea and start at the company for that portion of the tour then come back for Australia and Japan."

I blink a few times in shock. "At the company?" I repeat. I need to make sure I heard her right.

That portion of the tour is a month long.

"I still need to talk with Sejin about it, but most likely." She confirms.