Faint Whispers

Chapter 17

B.A.P is next to perform. Then Sehun's will be next which meant Luhan's is coming soon. They watched B.A.P went onstage upon the mention of their name. The crowd cheered. Luhan's team watched as Zelo, their leader, gave a thumbs up to the person in charge of the music. A song played. Luhan widened his eyes.

"What My Heart Tells Me To Do." He whispered.

"They're singing a ballad!" Kris raised his voice.

"Guys, it's okay. Calm down." Lay said.

B.A.P started singing and Luhan's members were all afraid.

Sehun's team were doing pretty well. And they were all waiting. Sehun was just playing games in his phone, as usual. Kyungsoo was practicing the song just one more time. Other that that, everyone is bored. Sehun looked across the backstage, he saw Luhan's team's eyes widened. He watched them listened to every words B.A.P. sang. Sehun could see clear anxiety in them. He then looked at Luhan. He was doing pretty alright, since Lay looks confused, Kris looks angry, Chen and Xiumin were just stoning.

After B.A.P left the stage, Sehun's group did a little 'Fighting!' and went to the stage. Everyone took their places. Sehun is at the end, nearest to Luhan. Sehun looked up, it was complete darkness at first. He could hear the student body screaming and he was nervous. It wasn't a stage fright, but he is nervous about how Luhan's team would do. He looked to his  side. Sehun looked further and saw Luhan's team watching them. He could see Luhan's face full of hope for him.

"Fighting!" He mouthed.

Sehun tried to smile back but he can't. He looked beside him, Kris was staring at him. His usual jealous stare that he would always give him whenever he look at or am with Luhan. He's used to it.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Put your hands together for our very first rock band in this competition!" The MC spoke into the microphone. 

Sehun looked straight as the lights lit up. Chanyeol's guitar played, his too. And Baekhyun's keyboard came next. Kyungsoo started singing, in full English. Everyone cheered. Luhan's team was also watching and Luhan concentrated on Sehun. He watched Sehun trying to remember all the strings he had to pluck and press on.

The audience were all happy and waving their hands to the music. They enjoyed it. The judges had pleased smiles on their face and Luhan knew, Sehun's team was going to win this. From the start to the end, Luhan's eyes were plastered on Sehun. He watched his every move. Because this is the only moment he can see him up close for 2 minutes.

Luhan watched until they bowed and exited the stage and he watched Sehun's back going further and deeper into the darkness of the backstage. It's time for theirs.

"That was an impressive performance! Now, we will invite out our next group that showed a lot of effort in writing this song!" The MC said and everyone clapped.

"Let's go, hyung." Kris told Luhan.

Luhan nodded and they all went to the stage. Luhan and Chen stood in front of the microphones. Luhan took a deep breath and the lights went blue-ish. He scanned the whole hall. The seats were all filled with excited and anticipating audience. Those he would see if he enters the Entertainment industry. The music played and everyone played their instruments. Luhan and Chen looked at each other before Luhan sang.

"你不断悄悄地入侵在我每一天的缝隙. (You constantly, stealthily invade the breaks in my everyday life.)." Sehun stared at Luhan as he was memorized by his voice.

All the performers stood on the stage nervously. The results are going to be out soon. Luhan tried his best to calm down. He made a mistake in the middle of the song and he was afraid the judges will pick that out and attack the group.

"The 5rd place." One of the judges said.

Everyone looked at her.

"Congratulations to ________!"

Everyone clapped and winner took their medals. They continued on until the 3rd place.

"3rd place!"

Everyone were anxious. They didn't know who would get the first trophy in line.

"Team Luhan!"

Sehun was surprised to hear that. He looked over to the dejected look on Luhan's face. Luhan stared at his trophy for a while. He was too absorbed to find out who won the 2nd place.

"And finally the champion! Rock-namic!"

Sehun's team was happily jumping around except Sehun. He was still looking at Luhan. And he can see him whispering to Kris something, Kris nodded, looking at him worriedly and Luhan went away. He knew Luhan was disappointed he didn't win. Kai grabbed Sehun and Sehun was forced into the sea of smiling faces. At this moment, he doesn't even want to smile but he had to. For his team. But never for Luhan. He failed.

The next day, all the participated performers had a party in Suho's mansion again. Now they're at the pool. Everyone were having fun as usual because Suho's mansion is just too cool to complain about. Sehun had a hard time searching for Luhan. He didn't see Luhan's members either. Maybe they didn't come. 

In the middle of the party, Sehun caught sight of the familiar brown chestnut hair. He knew it was Luhan. He strained his neck to see Luhan and his members on the chairs. He decided to go apologize to Luhan. He squeezed through the crowd and went to the group. Everyone looked at him.

"Umm...I want to talk to Luhan." Sehun said and looked at Luhan.

"Su-" Luhan nods.

"What is it that you can't say in front of us too?" Kris asked before Luhan could speak.

"Do you really have to say that, Kris?" Sehun said.

"I'll be fine Kris." Luhan said and stood up.

Sehun gave one final look at Kris before him and Luhan went off into the house. Luhan and Sehun stood inside the living room. They stood near the glass windows.

"So...what do you want to say?" Luhan asked.

"I...I know yesterday my team won instead..." Sehun started.

"I'm fine about that." Luhan said.

"Don't deny it. I saw you. You were disappointed." Sehun said.

"But you deserve it. I don't." 

"Who says?"

"You won Sehun. Everyone loves you, your team. The judges do, the MC do, the audiences do."

"But I didn't take the offer." 

"If you're going to give that offer to me, save it." Luhan said and went off.

"Hyung!" Sehun shouted but Luhan didn't turn. And Kris was staring right at him. Sehun punched the wall and screamed in frustration. He failed, again.