Trainee Trouble

{Chapter 28: Training}

The day that training was supposed to start finally came around. However, since it was a Monday, we still had to go to school first.

This morning, I waited for my teammates to attend school together for the first time. Over the weekend, we had gotten closer, almost spending all 48 hours together. I was especially close to Hansol because we were the closest in age as well as the fact that we didn't have to verbally communicate to get along. Now that all of us were transferred to the same school for convenience sake, we were bound to become even closer.

Sadly, Jungkook forbade me from sleeping over in my actual dorm, using the excuse that there was no bed and that I was safer with BTS. Not wanting to cause trouble, I gave in to his argument though I desperately wanted to move in with my new friends.

While we walked our way to school with Jungkook, he shared with us his experience as a senior in the company.

"With school and training, be prepared to feel exhausted all the time. Sometimes, you'll be at the studio the whole night practicing or having lessons so treat it as your second home. From here on, you'll basically be at school, the company or the dorms. Always have extra clothes and a set of uniform. You'll lose sleep, weight and contact with the outside world, but keep in mind that you should never lose yourself and your dream. There's no point working so hard for something and then not maintaining it! It'll only get tougher from here too. You'll have competition in school, pressure to withstand and expectations to meet. But always remember, you're not doing this alone. Your teammates are your pillars of support and us sunbaes in the company are always willing to lend a helping hand." Jungkook advised as we walked towards the school gate.

Nodding our heads in response, he gave each of us a smile and a pat on the head before leaving us for class. We looked at each other, silently communicating our thanks for having such great seniors.

Deciding on meeting at the school entrance gate before going for practice, we dispersed to our individual classes. Hansol and I had most of our classes together while Min Gyu, Jeong Han and S.Coups had most classes together. The only lesson we had together was P.E.

As we went through the day busy cramming formulas and theories into our heads and attending various art classes, it seemed like forever before the last bell rang. I could almost feel the whole school sigh in relief that the day was over.

Packing my bag and waking Hansol up from his nap during English class, we made our way down to our meeting spot. Spotting the other 3 already there, Hansol and I jogged over to them.

Suddenly there was an outbreak of excited screams as we were surrounded by girls. Ecstatic girls in our school thrilled by our good looks (not meaning to toot my own horn or anything) and current signed status took photos of us from all angles and tried to make conversation to get closer to us.

"Ya the newbies are seriously good looking" I heard one girl gush.

"I heard that one of them was signed without even completing his audition" another one added.

Embarrassed by their comments that highlighted our lives, we all silently sent looks at each other before breaking into a run away from the crowd.

Sprinting all the way, we didn't stop until we reached the company's entrance. Scanning his fingerprint, S.Coups accessed permission to enter the building. Filing in one after another, we pulled out our schedules that PD-nim had given and explained to us.

My schedule said 'language -CH(7pm)'for the first session of the night. Hah. Imagine leaving school to have more lessons. Sigh. The pains we had to endure to fulfill our dreams.

I scanned my schedule that ran by odd and even weeks. Noticing that almost every training session ended in the early hours of the morning, I absorbed the fact that sleep was going to be a no go in this life time.

Sending my teammates a look of encouragement, I headed to my first session of the night.

It said that 'Language -CH (7pm)'was held in studio 2. Arriving outside the door, I knocked 3 times before entering.

A few hours later, I finally had a break. I had just finished 2 hours of Chinese lessons followed by 2 hours of dance and the 2 more hours of composition class. The teachers were professional and friendly, pushing us to our limits and helping us to improve earnestly.

I appreciated that, though it was already 1am and my stomach was demanding nourishment. Just this short experience solidified my respect for idols now. How did they endure this for years?

Well, I was going to find out on my own anyway.

Heading to the company's lounge, I saw that the rest were taking their break too, hunched over sandwiches and cup ramen.

Leaning over Hansol, I took a mouthful of shin ramyun from his chopsticks and swiped Min Gyu's drink. Laying back against the chair exhausted, I sneezed. After sweating profusely in the dance studio then cooling off by the air conditioning in composition class, I prayed that I didn't catch a cold.

"How you guys holding up?" I asked my friends.

"Still going strong" Min Gyu smiled, flexing his arms to show that he still had energy.

"Don't believe him. He just had his 4th energy drink today. He's gonna crash sooner or later." S.Coups said.

As usual, Hansol didn't answer. Instead, he fed me another mouthful of ramyun before going back to devouring his midnight meal.

"I'm so ready to go back to my lover- my bed" I sighed, rubbing at my eyes.

"Jia you!" S.Coups said, subtly showing off what he learned in Chinese class accompanied by pumping his fist in the air. He really was leader material.

"Have you guys ended for today?" I asked.

All 3 of them nodded.

"We ended an hour ago. What about you?" Min Gyu asked.

"2 more hours" I said.

They nodded, sending me a look of encouragement before returning back to consuming their food.

Standing up, I stretched my body, trying to kick start it into energy mode again.

"Fighting guys! Eat well then you can get some sleep before school tomorrow" I cheered them on.

Sending them one last smile, I headed to my last class of the day: conversational skills.

2 hours of non-stop conversations about everything under the sun with my conversation teacher, I grabbed my stuff and headed to studio 5 which was reserved for personal practice for trainees.

Looking at the time, I realized that it was already 3 am.

Checking my phone, I saw that S.Coups had texted me saying that they left first since I ended later than them. The time stamp read '12:32 am', long passed by now.

Sending him a reply and Jungkook a message saying that I wasn't coming back tonight, I laid out on the studio floor and slowly drifted off into dreamland.