The 10th Member

Their Past

First Person POV

Practice these days has been absolutely grueling. Every single muscle in my body ached, my mind was weary and exhausted but I still had two more hours to go. Amazing, isn't it? 

I got down on my knees and groaned in frustration, sipping some water from my bottle. I felt a hand pat my back encouragingly.  When I looked up, I saw Jihyo smiling at me. She seemed tired too, in fact, everyone was, but she was motivating all of us. 

"Come on, you can do this!" She held out her hand and helped me stand up. I thanked her and began to practice some of our choreographies again. 

Today was kind of like a half-day. We had practice from 7am to 1pm and then we'd be free for the rest of the day. I couldn't wait to go back home and collapse into my bed, getting a good rest. But more than that, I was looking forward to spending time with Sana. 

My body felt as if it would give up any moment now so I started to think about the little things that kept me going. The quick smiles Sana would shoot me during practice, her cute giggling whenever I'd mess up a step and how she'd immediately come to help and support me whenever required. I'd love to go out with her again, maybe for lunch this time, so nobody would have to call us and ask us to return home cause it was too late.

Although we were in the same room and practicing together, I didn't speak much to her. Well, I didn't speak much to anyone because I was too focused on improving. 

At one instance, Sana winked at me and licked her lips through the mirror, making me red. I turned around to face her and walked in her direction, slapping her arm.

"What? You like it, don't you?" She wrapped her arms around my waist and started planting small kisses on my neck, making me whimper softly.

"S-Stop... Not n-now." I pushed her head away, making her raise her eyebrows and smirk.

"So you're saying we can do this later?" Her words caught me by surprise, leaving me flustered and speechless. She's so cheeky and clever. 

"W-What?! No, that's not what I me-"

"Alright then, later it is. See ya." She winked and kissed me on the cheeks quickly before going back to dancing, acting as if she hadn't just made me as red as a tomato. This girl really knows my weakness. 

Time felt as if it lasted an eternity. But finally, it was 1pm, and practice was over. No more counting beats, no more endless repetitions, no more having to redo the whole thing just because someone messed up one step. I was so tired that I fell asleep on the way back to the dorm in the van itself although it's just a 10 minute ride.

"Y/n, wake up. We've reached." Tzuyu's soft voice awoke me from my peaceful slumber as she tapped on my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open and I was in a disoriented state. I rubbed my eyes and stared at her, confused as to what's going on. I just sat there, cluelessly.

She laughed and grabbed my hand, dragging me out of the van and into the apartment building. That's when I realised we'd finally reached home. I was happy and smiling like an idiot. I'd missed my bed more than anything. 

All of the girls were either laying around or freshening up. I couldn't go to sleep with that horrible stench I had due to the excessive sweating so I took a quick cold shower, which not only relaxed but also re-energized me. 

I was heading to the living room, expecting everyone to be there. And I was correct. All of them were lazing around with Jihyo convincing them to get up so they could prepare lunch and eat.

"No way, I'm too tired." Nayeon uttered tiredly and buried her fact in Jeongyeon's chest who was running her fingers through Nayeon's hair.

"Aren't you hungry, Momo?" Jihyo asked Momo, who though, loved to eat more than anyone else, was refusing to get up as well.