Break Into My World

24: Memory

Hwanwoong found himself at Level Up a lot more often. He was actually working again, and had to keep his mind and body busy. It made him happy, being able to pursue his passion again, as well as work in such a comforting environment. But a lingering thought kept returning in the back of his head, turning his happiness into sadness in mere seconds.

Only three more days before Ravn is gone permanently.

A scream filled the first story practice room, Hwanwoong now holding a hand over his chest as his bewildered eyes stared at a masked person.

"Damn it! I thought you were Juyeon!" Changmin raised his voice, taking off the scary mask in a heartbeat. While he apologized numerous times, there was something in his body language that showed he wasn't as sorry as he said. 

"I swear to god Changmin, if you scare Hwanwoong one more time I will—"

Changmin's dolphin scream filled the studio, temporarily stunning both Juyeon and Hwanwoong. The redhead took that as his chance to escape, running full speed through the door Juyeon just opened. Hwanwoong couldn't help but just burst out in a fit of laughter at that point, the older joining in soon after.

"Are you seriously okay?" Juyeon asked after some time, making his way through the studio to set some things up.

"Yeah I'm fine." Hwanwoong waved his hand dismissively. "I guess I should be happy he does this to me now?"

Juyeon snorted, shaking his head. "Still doesn't make scaring the life out of you okay."

Hwanwoong shrugged his shoulders as his reply and went back to tidying up the room. There was previously a stunt class in here, so a lot of mats needed to be cleaned and stored properly. While he did this Juyeon was doing things with the sound system, probably preparing for a meet-up later that night.

They worked silently on their own things for a while, seeing no signs of Changmin either.

"So are you ready for the competition on Sunday?" Juyeon posed the question, moving to work besides Hwanwoong, helping put away the remaining mats.

"What?" Hwanwoong said without thinking, before letting the words sit for a second to process. "Oh, uh, no. I wasn't going to compete in that."

"What?" Juyeon replied, looking and sounding completely baffled. "You aren't competing?"

"No?" Hwanwoong's brows narrowed as he looked towards the taller. "Was I supposed to be?"

"I mean no. But I seriously thought you were considering that you've been practicing that one dance practically nonstop for the past couple weeks." Juyeon explained, still with that shocked tone of voice. "You've been working that dance to perfection, almost in the sense of training for something. I'm just surprised since I totally thought you were ready to compete in big-time competitions."

Hwanwoong thought it through for a moment. He shook his head a little defeatedly.

"I was working on that for myself." Hwanwoong muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke. "How did you even know about that?"

"Oh please, I walked by your studio a few times, heard the same song, and saw you working on the same section." Juyeon shrugged off, moving towards the door as he spoke. "I think you should seriously consider joining the competition Hwanwoong. You've got what it takes to win it." He paused to show a small smile. "Registration closes tonight, if you need help with anything let me know. I know a few people that could put together a costume in this short period of time, or if you need help with sound or whatever. Just let me know. I really hope you consider it."

Juyeon left on that note, saying he has an independent lesson to teach. It left Hwanwoong in a silent room with loud thoughts in his head.

Hwanwoong didn't even think about joining this competition, being one of the biggest in this city, and definitely one of the biggest he'd ever attend if he chose to. Juyeon saying this really got Hwanwoong considering it now, especially if the taller thought he was worthy enough to compete with seeing just bits and pieces of his dance.