𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ˢᵛᵗ

one ♬

"Are you sure you have everything with you?"

I sighed. That's the twelfth time she's asked me that on this car journey. It's almost as if she didn't listen the first eleven times.

"Of course. You really think I came unprepared?" I responded.

"I know, it's just I don't want to leave you there if you don't have everything that you need. It's not as if I can make this drive everyday," She fussed.

She's always worrying about me. Whether I brushed my teeth in the morning, if I've eaten that day or offering to drive me home after school even though we lived a 10 minute walk away. I'm her only child after all, so it makes sense that I get twice the worrying that any other kid with siblings would get.
"Trust me mum, I have everything," I reminded her again, begging that she would stop asking the same question. The constant interruption kept me from fully appreciating the music that flowed through my headphones. Thankfully, she said nothing for the remainder of the drive.

It was January, the weather so bitter and cold. As we drove down the endless circuit of roads, frosted paths and dead bushes surrounded us. The world seemed dull today, which was ironic because this was supposed the greatest day of my life.

I was opening a new chapter in my life, finally following my dream. From the age of 6, my heart was set on becoming a singer. Coming from a musical family, it was only natural that I too would be interested in that world. Years of listening to my mother play piano made me fall in love with music and thus led me to where I'm going today.

I looked out the car window and saw building after building. To me, they all looked the same. I wondered about the people who worked inside those buildings. Who were they? What were they like? Was it their dream to work in the same grey office every day?

I thought to myself for a long time. Long enough for me to eventually doze off. I don't know how much time had passed but after a while I felt the car come to a stop. A hand shook me awake.

"We're here," she said softly.

I nodded, got out of the car and grabbed my things before looking up at the place that stood proudly in front of me.

Pledis entertainment.

Or as I like to call it, my new home.

My mum helped me carry my things as we made our way to the front entrance.  The inside was big and spacious, larger than any place I've ever been. Whilst I was gawking at the magnificent interior, my mum was already speaking to the receptionist. She came back to me saying that she can't go any further than here, meaning this will be the last time that she sees me for until who knows when.

My arms wrap around her, engulfing her in a big hug.

"Don't miss me too much," I whispered to her. She must've have felt too overwhelmed with emotions because I don't remember her saying anything back. One last wave and she was gone. The receptionist then told me to head up to the 4th floor to join the rest of the new trainees.

I walked over to the elevators and saw a boy standing there. He seemed around my age

and was quite tall. He was Asian all right, but definitely not Korean; Chinese maybe? It was rude of me to assume but I couldn't help it. We were the only two people around.

The elevator finally arrived. Two people, staff members I assumed, stepped off before the two of us stepped in with all our luggage. The tension in the air was thick, as was the silence. I decided to break the ice.

"I'm guessing you're a trainee too?" I asked.

"Huh?" The boy responded. His reaction told me that he didn't expect me to talk to him.