Rhythm 「Jay Park Smut 」「AMBW」

Chapter 11

If you could only use one word to describe what was happening in front of the mirror, it would be sweat.

It had started out as an assessment of each other's skill quickly turned into a battle. Mr. Park would do a body roll, you would copy with exact precision. You would pop and lock, and he would follow. Leaps, jumps, spins, rolls, one for one you copied each other.  This was not the dance session that you had imagined, but it was just so much damn fun. You hadn't had a chance to just dance and move in such a way since ...last time you danced with Mr. Park.

You missed this feeling, the feeling of complete body freedom. In your moment of bliss you missed his next step.

You froze, only for a split second, but a split second was all Mr. Park needed to know you weren't paying attention.

You tried to play it off by just transitioning into the second move, but he had caught you. He made quick work of stepping over to you, slid his hand on your waist before kicking one foot forward. You were worried he would turn the dance into an excuse to flirt but he was trying to stay focused. You kicked out a foot as well and he smiled, almost blinding you with his white teeth.

He stood straight and grabbed your hand, lifting it, and you spun underneath accordingly.  You step away after the spin, hesitant, trying to figure out what was under his sleeve. He laughed and shimmied his shoulders, with you quickly following suit. It was safe, it was light, it was fun.

You needed a little fun. He pulled you back over, placing your arm over his shoulder, and this was the first time in your life you realized you liked when a man's height wasn't so overbearing. As a five foot four woman, six feet was seemingly overrated. You could almost feel the eye roll your friends back home would be giving you for such a statement. But this was comfortable, a little bit of a stretch, but comfortable. He took a side step and pulled you with him, all of your weight relying on his stability.  He must have strong ankles.

You quickly slipped out of his grasp and backed up. This was close. You felt the body heat radiating off of him. You liked how his warmth felt, like a human blanket. But that's not what you are being paid for.

The dance choreography was coming along nicely, you had been given the green light for actually helping choreograph the rest of the song. Sadly, Hoody could not dance so she wouldn't be there for moral support but you were strong enough to handle any sass the dancers would give you.

You had an overwhelming sense of ...pride. This was your dream come true, making music, dancing, working with these stars who you used to just listen to. If anyone 5 years back had told you that you would be here, you definitely wouldn't have believed them. You were a pre-med in college, with a minor in foreign languages. But while being in STEM was great, you knew that the arts was you calling. And it all came down to this.

Mr. Park believed in you enough to hire you and keep you around. To give you tracks and work with Hoody and Crush. But more importantly, you were skilled enough to earn it.

He saw you lost in your own thoughts, you steps were slow and clumsy. He took the chance to drag you closer to the mirrors. "Is this too much?"

"What do you mean?"

He gave you a concerned glance. "The song, the credit, the dance, the artists. It's your first "solo" track and I don't want you to crumble under the pressure."

"Ha, if I was going to crumble it would have been when I spent my savings on that flight ticket and hotel when I moved here"

The concern didn't drop from his eyes. "I'm being serious. I know you want to be treated like everyone else, but don't forget that I care about everyone here. I love all my employees like family, and family looks out for one another. Remember when Simon stepped down. Remember Me No Jay Park. He realized that the extra work kept him from being the true artist he could be. He was my friend first and together we did what was best for him and the company."

Your face hardened, to hide what you were thinking. It was a lot. But it has always been a lot. School was a lot. Learning languages was a lot. Convincing your family to be okay with you applying for this job was a lot. Moving was a lot. The stares were a lot. It had always been a lot. "Jay....it's okay. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to show you and the company that I'm not just a pretty face." You winked at the end to let Mr. Park know that you were tougher than you looked.  "I have you, I have ChaCha, I have Hoody. I'm happy to be here, and how can I fail with all this support."

He smiled sheepishly back at you and stepped closer into your personal space. He stood behind you, hands on your shoulders. You both held eye contact via the mirror. "If it gets to be too much, please let me know. It's not a sign of weakness to need help."

"Do you believe in me." Somehow that came out as a statement.

"W-what?" You had never heard him stutter before.

"Do you believe in me?"

You could feel his hands squeeze your shoulders. He closed his eyes. "...I do. I knew when you got here that you were something special. But I've seen so much talent and shine become burnt out by this industry, and I want your career to be a long one. You deserve it."

You appreciated his honesty, He cared about you and all his workers. He was truly a great boss, someone who could lead those to the ends of the earth. He was...one of a kind.

He let go of your shoulders and held out his hand once more, this dance wasn't going to finish itself.

..............................................

Hoody arrived later in the morning, eager to work, and eager to see you. Her hair was done in a long fishtail braid, and she wore an outfit with a monochromatic brown theme. It was stylish for sure and you took note of it for inspiration later.

She came over and bumped you with her shoulder, less direct than a hug and more playful than a handshake. You bumped her back. She turned to greet Mr. Park and eyed him suspiciously as he sat with legs crossed in a swivel chair in the back of the room. He gave her a wink and a smile and she quickly turned away from him with a sigh. He rarely dropped his class clown/trouble maker demeanor. 

Crush appeared, claiming he had already recorded and mixed his part in the few hours he was there. He was a genius. You had heard that Mariah Carey wrote all I want for Christmas is you in 15 minutes, but mixing as well....unheard of.

Sheepish grin appeared on his face. "Do you wanna hear it?"

Hoody grabbed my hand and nodded. She squeezed and I nodded as well.

He clicked a button and the song started midway. Hoody softly sang the chorus we had written prior and as she ended he picked up.  In the corner, Mr. Park began to beam. Crush's part was complex, slowed, falsetto,  change of pace. It was perfect.

You began to cheese as his part came to an end and joined Hoody in re-singing the chorus. This was it. You squeezed her hand again, trying to be brave and hold back tears. This was it. This was it. This was it. Your first song.

You couldn't hide the pride that was welling up and turned quickly to hid your face. Jay could see you, as his seat was behind. He watched as so many emotions went through you. You looked at the ground, and a single tear slid down your face. Quickly you wiped it away and glanced up, seeing that your emotional moment had been caught.

His eyes were wide, eyebrows arched up in concern. And then you mouthed a simple "thank you

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A/N catch me in April, ya girl is about to be an MD/Doctor.  I find out on 3/15 if I matched into the specialty I wanted. Pray for me y'all, it has truly been a rough couple of years, but all of your kind words, and never forgetting my work has kept me going. Thank you for waiting for me.