12 Days To Christmas

Four Calling Birds (Melanie POV)

More Birds. Of course more birds. I got in the car and my manager quickly drove away, letting me know where we were going today.

"We're heading to another bird sanctuary"

"Really?"

"It's a different one though. This one's more open"

"What birds are we working with today?"

"Cockatiels"

I almost choked after hearing the name.

"I'm sorry?"

"Cockatiels. They sing when they're happy."

"O-Okay"

I didn't know whether to be excited or scared about the birds I was about to witness, and I didn't have to wait long at all, as the sanctuary was right in my face. It was a lot bigger than the last one and seemed more like an indoor zoo than a bird sanctuary.

My manager got out, and so did I, when another car came pulling in as I opened the door. I saw my partner for the day, Younghoon, get out of the car and come up to hold the door open.

"Thank you"

"Your welcome ma'am"

"Please, call me Melanie"

I walked in and my manager was already waiting by the door to the back for us. the receptionist showed us around and we followed. Younghoon was in step with me.

"Do you know what birds we're working with today?" He asked me.

"My manager said Cockatiels"

He had the same reaction as me.

"We're working with what?"

"Cockatiels."

"Should I be concerned?"

"Probably not"

"Okay then"

We continued to walk through until my manager stopped. I would have run into him if Younghoon hadn't stopped me. the holding area was around 10 times bigger than the room for the turtle doves a while back.

"Your hands," The receptionist asked, and Younghoon and I held out our hands for the food.

The food was poured and a few birds came down the snack. I was used to it, as I've done this 3 times already, but Younghoon; not so much. He carefully petted the bird's feathery plume and finally warmed up after a moment.

"These ones are around 6 weeks old, so they're the perfect size," The receptionist said.

"Great!" My manager exclaimed.

We continued to pet the birds, slowly getting more comfortable with them. 

"I need to learn to play the flute," Younghoon said randomly.

"Why is that?"

"For the shoot"

"You need to play the flute?"

"According to my manager, I do"

"Interesting. I can't wait to hear you play"

"It's going to be a while before you hear that"

We continued talking and petting the birds when the receptionist led the birds away.

"You can come back another time to get to know them better"

"I'll schedule that soon" Younghoon's manager called, before starting out the door.

I followed behind him shortly as Younghoon ended up at my side once more.

"Those birds are so cute with their yellow heads and little feathers on top of their heads'" Younghoon cooed, mimicking the crest feathers shape with his hands.

"Don't forget their orange blush-like circles" I reminded him and his eyes grew wide as he remembered.

"Oh my goodness, your right!"

He fell into a cuteness overload attack as we exited and went on our separate ways.

***

A few days went by, and we met up again, this time at a music studio. Younghoon was learning to play the flute for the shoot, and I had to be there to know the songs he was going to play because I had to join in at some point during filming. He was in the booth with his teacher and I could hear him messing up ever so often, my silent giggles clearly resonated with him as he gave me subtle glances ever so often.

After finally getting it down, I was invited into the booth.

"What songs does he know?"

"Just a few basic ones for practice reasons, but we need a song that you both know, mainly for the shoot and for the birds when they fly off. Which is why I invited you in, so you can discuss." The instructor commented.

I looked at Younghoon, and he looked at me, confused about songs to pick.

"I looked up the birds and saw many videos of them singing 'September' by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Is that a hard song to play?"

The instructor thought over the song.

"Not really. If he practices a bit more, he should be able to get it" The instructor placed his hand on Younghoon's shoulder.

"Then that's what I'll play" Younghoon agreed.

"Alright, I'll wait out there," I said, leaving the two to practice.

I watched as Younghoon continued to practice, slowly getting the song as time passed. Once Younghoon was ready, I was brought in and was told to just tap on anything to the beat, cause it was the same thing we were going to be doing for the shoot. More time passed, and we were both in tune with each other, ready for the shoot.

***

The day to film came by so fast. I was in the car as my manager gave me pointers.

"The filming process might go by quickly because the birds are already there getting accustomed to the environment for filming and being lead on for the end of the shoot. So, if done right, this might be done in one take"

The feeling of possibly one take thrilled me, as it was quite cold outside today. We pulled off the main road and onto a dirt road for the second time, but this ride was much smoother than the last and was down at the bottom of a hill instead of the top like the last shoot with the doves. We arrived and everything was already set up. As I went over, I felt the heat of headlights on a vehicle climb up the back of my legs and someone's footsteps, meaning my partner had arrived too.

I went to my trailer to change into the dress prepared; a pretty silver one, similar to the one I wore with doves, and got my makeup done similarly again as well. Younghoon was already on his way down to the shooting spot, flute case in hand for the shoot. I caught up to him, or well tried to in the heels I was given, eventually managing.

"Are you ready?" I asked him.

"Yep, I practiced a bit last night, annoying some of my members, while others gave me moral support, so I think I'll do well"

"I wish you good luck"

The director son came up to us, giving us a hopeful thumbs up, and gave him one back.

"Places!" He called, and the shoot began.

I followed thorough, and Younghoon did amazing, just like we practiced in the booth a few days ago. Before we knew it, the shoot was over, and we were both headed home.