Future Traded Yestoday

13

Rather than being woken by our alarm like we always were, our vocal and rap coaches came into our rooms and woke us. I didn't think adults were even allowed to come into our rooms.

We were given thirty minutes to get our things packed, get ourselves ready for the day, and get breakfast. Somehow in our chaos we didn't even notice it was well before any of the other students in the school would be waking up. We were running off pure adrenaline at that point because we had no clue what was going on.

Eventually our vocal and rap coaches came back to our rooms and led us out a back door. At least, we assume it was a back door because it definitely wasn't the one we came in when we first came.

It wasn't like anyone has really left since we've gotten here anyways.

That's when we saw the three vans parked outside, the trunks already open for our bags and the drivers ready. I remember very clearly the fourteen of us stopping in our tracks and staring in confusion. This certainly wasn't part of what we signed up for.

We all turned to our unspoken leader, waiting to see what he would say, but it was our oldest who spoke up.

"When I was brought here I was told we'd be staying at the school."

The vocal and rap coaches turned around, finally noticing we had stopped following them. They shared a glance and maybe a few whispered phrases with each other, trying to figure out what to tell us.

"Just come with us, you'll understand soon enough."

Their tone was enough for the guy the same age as me and my best friend to start following them again, but the Thai guy and the guy from Japan grabbed their arms and stopped them. It was now made very clear we weren't moving until we were told what was happening.

"We have to get going before the other students notice," they insisted.

The guy from Chicago crossed his arms, gaining some confidence. "I'd explain quickly then."

I didn't think they would. I thought we'd be threatened with some form of punishment and forced into the vans. Instead, they sighed.

Apparently the school had had a lot of complaints from parents and students, and a few cases of insubordination. All because of our special treatment.

So we were being moved to an apartment building and our further training would take place in practice rooms in a very large company. I hadn't realized we were part of SM until now.

The older members of our group shared a look before starting towards the vans. Assuming that's what we were going with, we followed them.

I'd follow them off a cliff if they said it was safe.

Our bags were put in the trunks, we split up into three groups, and watched as the school was eventually hidden behind other tall buildings. For a minute, all I could do was look out the window at the world. I would've leaned out the van window if that meant I'd see more of it.

Over two years in that school with only a few times ever seeing what was outside, and I couldn't get enough of the world. Especially with the almost promise of seeing this corner of the world every day.

Sure, there were those other countries we had been too for the rookie showcase not too long ago, but there was something special about seeing the area around you for what feels like the first time.

And then we were there.

I heard someone refer to the rooms as dorms as we shuffled in, our bags taking up more space than we were. Our bags didn't have much in them.

I should have expected that this would mean we would be split up between at least something. For some reason I thought we'd all still be right around the corner from each other.

We ended up far from that.

Me, my best friend, the kid younger than me, the Thai guy, and the older Chinese guy were on one of the upper floors; the five of us split between three rooms. I decided to room with my best friend and the older two were going to room together even though we all knew they were going to never get along.

The other nine of our group were placed on a floor well below ours, and we weren't sure why we were split so unevenly until much later. Much later.

Regardless, we thought that didn't mean anything and that we'd still see each other as often as we did now. At least, that's what I was thinking, and I know my best friend was on a similar train of thought.

Not seeing them for months- other than in passing- never crossed anyone's mind.