Perfect Illusion // MATZ

Dance Practice

"Hongjoong, will you stop staring?" Hyunjin groaned.

"Yeah, yeah, give me a second." I was completely lost in trance while keeping my eyes on the giant billboard in front of me.

"We're going to be late for practice, come on." He grabbed ahold of my wrist and dragged me away.

"Hey, I wasn't done!"

"Seonghwa can wait."

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes, already wishing I could turn around and take another look at the gorgeous man who had his face plastered in Seoul.

Park Seonghwa aka the leader of the idol group Galaxy Star. He's practically perfect in every way. He can sing, he can dance, and he's beautiful. Only a fool wouldn't be in love with him.

As for me, I'm just a simple trainee at JYP. Just like everyone else, my dream is to debut in my own group someday. While Hyunjin has been at the company for two years, I'm about to be pushing seven. I know my big break will happen soon...I just know it.

"You're late." Our dance instructor scolded us both.

"Told you." Hyunjin muttered under his breath.

"Shut up." I mumbled back.

Surprisingly, the song we were practicing with today was Paradigm by none other than JYP's own - Galaxy Star. Although I already knew all the choreography, to my disappointment, we were learning something completely different.

"Why are we even doing a Galaxy Star song?" Hyunjin whined, not too pleased with the selection.

"Stop talking, this song is amazing."

I've always prided myself on being a fast learner. Some people don't pick up on the choreography the first second they see it, but I surely do. Being the best is all I've strived to be. After all, I've been here for almost a decade. I'm 21 years old, I'm sure my time is right around the corner.

"Hongjoong, Minho, excellent work." Our dance instructor pointed out.

I only allowed myself to smile internally because one compliment doesn't mean anything. I don't let something like that get to my head.

"I'm literally doing exactly what you're doing." Hyunjin childishly pouted, only loud enough for me to hear.

"Clearly not."

"Just you wait, I'll be a better dancer than you one day."

"Yeah, good luck with that."

Hyunjin is extremely talented, there's no doubt about it. We've always talked about debuting in the same group together ever since we've met.

After about an hour, we were finally given a break. I felt like I already needed a shower, but we still had to learn the second half of the song.

"You're improving, I can tell." Minho smiled.

Although he meant well, I couldn't help but take offense. What do you mean improving? I've been doing this for years, I know how good I am.

"Thanks." I nodded, taking a long sip from my water bottle.

"I didn't know you were a Galaxy Star fan. I overheard you saying the song was amazing."

I eased up a bit, becoming excited to talk about my favorite group.

"Yeah." I beamed. "I love it."

"Me too, I'd say that song is in my top five."

"Really? I had no idea you were into them." Then again, I don't really know much about Minho to begin with. He typically likes to keep to himself most of the time.

"They're my all time favorite, are you kidding me? I might just be the biggest Seonghwa fan here."

In that very moment, I felt my eye twitch as I continued to smile. It's interesting how I constantly talk about Seonghwa to Hyunjin because I want him to like what I like as well, but when it's someone else, it seems to be a different story.

"No way!" I gasped, faking my enthusiasm. "I'm obsessed with him, he's perfect."

"I know, right?" He seemed just as happy as me, although I'm sure he was more genuine. "Wait, are you going to the Galaxy Star concert in a couple weeks?"

That's when the sadness began to consume me. The tickets sold out before I even had the chance to look. Hyunjin laughed at me for crying, but it was a very serious situation.

"No." I shook my head. "Are you?"

"I am actually." He nodded. "Would you want to come with me? None of my other friends are into Galaxy Star so I kinda bought an extra ticket for no reason."

"Wait, really?" My eyes widened due to his very gracious offer. How could I ever say no to something like that? "How much was it?"

"Don't worry about it." He shrugged, waving his hand dismissively as if it were no big deal. "It's free."

"Holy shit, thank you so much!"

I'm really going to see Galaxy Star.

I'm going to see Seonghwa.