One step at a time

Chapter Eleven - Auditioning

A/N these auditions are nothing like what SM auditions actually are, as I have never been to an SM audition, and I am purely basing it on how I imagine auditions to be. ~~~

Walking into the audition room, we were greeted by three people sitting behind a desk. They introduced them selves as the lead choreographer, lead producer and lead talent scout. They explained to us that the choreographer, Lee Hyun Soo, would perform in front of us and we would have to copy what he was doing, the ten of us who showed good skill would be asked to step forward to freestyle to music that was selected for them, and the rest would leave the room and come back when it was time for the singing auditions. The music started and Lee Hyun Soo began to move. At first most of us were dazed either by how good he was, or just by what we had been asked to do, however soon most of us in the room were copying him exactly.
The ten were selected, and I was surprised because one of them was me. So Hyun was also one.

When it was my turn to perform, I was nervous of course, but part of me was excited, as I hadn't danced in front of people for so long. I listened to the music first to get a feel for it, and then began. I couldn't explain the feeling of dancing again. I went with my instincts and my training. I definitely wasn't the best dancers there, but I was going to try and show my best.
The two minutes of my performance time was over, and no one said a word. I heard applause and the next candidate was called up. I could only hope now.

"Ok guys good for today, now we're going to hear you sing, and I'm afraid to say if you can't hold a tune you're out" a staff member said "but no one would be here if you can't sing, right?" He looked at us expectantly, however all of us were too nervous to respond. He let out an awkward laugh, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Anyway, your singing assessors are going to be the same as before, except Hyun Soo Hyung is going to be swapped with Kim Jongdae, some of you may know him as Chen of EXO. He is one of the best assessors of voices as he knows what the public wants, and has an amazing voice himself." The staff member explained to us. The room was tossed into discussion, as many we're excited about the fact an idol would be watching them perform. I on the other was not. It was bad enough having complete strangers watch me sing, but an idol, who I had spoken too a couple of weeks ago was even worse. I could only hope he didn't remember me.

Chen entered the room after a staff member had left to fetch him. Gasps were released around the room as everyone set eyes on him. He had the same smirk on his face that he had when I first saw him. His eyes skimmed the room, looking at the candidates. When his eyes reached mine, I tried to avoid them. It seemed to have worked as he didn't linger on me.

"Ok so first up Ye Ji Su" One by one the auditionees performed their chosen song, and all of them were very good. It was hard for the hopefuls to perform for the judges, but I assumed it was even harder for the judges to make the final cuts as there was such talent here. And to think this was only a small group of the auditionees.

Finally it was So Hyun's turn. She was the penultimate, so I was inevitably next. I tried to focus on her voice and not the fact I was next. I loved the song she had chosen, and as always she sang it well. I glanced at Chen, the first time I had looked at him since he had entered. He was engrossed in her performance. I looked around the room, and so was everyone else. I had no idea how I was meant to follow So Hyun, but my thoughts were cut to and end by someone saying my name "Kim Seo Young, the final auditionee"
I step forward. "I'm going to be singing eyes, nose, lips by Taeyang" I try to say with confidence.
Mianhae mianhae hajima~~
I try not to focus on the assessors as I sing, because it might put me off. After I finish there is applause, and a staff member begins speaking again. "Leave your phone number next to your name and we will contact you within a week of you have made the cut."

"Now Chen, it seems you have some fans waiting," the staff member continues after we had written our details down. "We'll let you have some time with them" he says. Chen gets up and I look towards the group of fans who have gathered in the middle of the room, So Hyun being one of them. "What?" She asks me. "I like EXO too remember" I laugh at her. Chen starts to walk towards them, brushing past me. As he does he says in a quiet voice "Wait outside." Then he carries on towards the fans, who didn't notice the exchange and begin to excitedly smile. I sigh and open the door, and leave with the other people who weren't fans of EXO.

I stood outside of the room with my headphones on, probably a bad idea considering I was waiting for someone. So Hyun came out first.
"Hey coming?" She asked me
"Oh I'll be right out I just forgot something in there, go find the others, I assume they're still close waiting for us somewhere" I didn't want to tell her the truth. I felt so bad continuously lying to one of my best friends.
"Yeah I'll text them, and I'll text you where we're going" she smiles at me and then walks away.

Another few moments pass and I'm absorbed into my music. A hand presses on my shoulder, and another removes an earbud from my ear. "Hello Stair girl, or should I use your name, Kim Seo Young" So he does remember me.
"My name is fine" I turn around to face him. He's taller than I remembered, however the first time I had met him we were on eye level as I was standing on a higher step than him. "Wow fourth encounter with an EXO member in a month" I say "well you were twice, but I'm still counting it."
"Who were the other ones?"
"Chanyeol I believe, and today I talked to Xiumin."
"Oh them, none of them as handsome as me though" he winks.
I didn't know how to respond.
"No I think Xiumin was very attractive, and so was Chanyeol, don't tell Hyo Rin I said that she would kill me" I say matter of factly.
Chen just laughs.
"I'm hurt Kim Seo Young, but anyway the reason I'm talking to you is because I wanted to congratulate you. I didn't expect to see stair girl ever again in my life but here you are. I wish you luck in being accepted Kim Seo Young, because you and me could be great friends. It will be nice to see more of you" he says, then smiles.
"Well, that was weird" I say " But goodbye Chen... Kim Jongdae, until we meet again" I salute him and he just laughs.
"I really hope we meet again" he says and walks off in the direction Xiumin had earlier.
And so do I Kim Jongdae, Chen, I hope we meet again.