Unsteady | Park Jihoon

Chapter 2

The third week of April was probably the week I had the most "first times" in my life. Not, of course, in a romantic way. My life had been relatively uneventful since about six and a half weeks ago when I got a call from Seoul's School of the Performing Arts telling me my transfer appeal was successful and I was accepted into SOPA as a second-year in high school starting the coming semester. On top of that, I received an email from Maroo Entertainment telling me my dance audition was a success and I was to start my trainee life the following Tuesday. Needless to say I was pretty satisfied with my life, well, for the time being anyway.

SOPA is probably not a school to go to if you're planning on becoming an ophthalmologist or a plastic surgeon. In fact, SOPA is mainly a school for idols, or for some, aspiring idols. Clearly, good grades was not on the bucket list for many students here. I guess if you count waiting outside a classroom for your favourite idol/schoolmate to come out and sign your T-shirt as what you came to school for then, congratulations, you've achieved your dreams.

First day of school was as eventful as I had expected. A bunch of girls came up to me and said hi because I was the "new girl" so I guess it was protocol? A group of poetry-ish people came up to me with a notebook in hand and started reciting Sijo to me. Needless to say I wouldn't be joining poetry club anytime soon.

I wasn't expecting to be bombarded by awed stares or hushed voices whispering how incredible I looked in a yellow vest. Like I said, I was average looking, I had medium length chestnut brown hair that fell below my shoulders, my mainstream Korean bangs had recently gone out of control and was growing way past my eyes to a point where I would tear up because hair was getting into my eye. I wasn't very short nor was I tall, I was probably the kind of girl you could cast to play a young Jung Eunji if you invested in a lot of makeup and ran out of budget for good CGI. I was particularly fond of wearing my hair down mainly because I thought I looked close to a baby walrus if I tied up my hair for too long.

I was also, at the time, rather uninterested in guys (or girls in case you were wondering) which is unbelievable, I know, because being in SOPA meant being surrounded by chiseled jawed, perfect haired boys all the time. And yeah, I guess I was, but I had yet to have a real crush. Sure I looked out the class and saw Mark Lee walking down the corridor with banana milk in his hand, I did stare longer than what was considered "normal" but it always had been things like that. Never a crush.

Like I said, I was pretty happy with my current life; happy to focus on training and studying. I was, in general, rather content. In fact, I wouldn't even have thought of Park Jihoon again if I hadn't decided to train early at Maroo that day.

I met my only friend from SOPA at the front gate - Jung Hayoon who I in my lonesome life, met through being trainees together at Maroo Ent. She was the same age as I was but studied Practical Dance at SOPA while I was pursuing a Diploma in Broadcasting Arts which sadly meant we couldn't see each other often. Despite being the same age as me, Hayoon was actually set to debut back in 2015 but plans fell through and her debut was cancelled. The only memory of that is her unhealthily dry hair which was bleached back then to prepare her for a new colour wheel of hair.

When we reached the training building, we were met with several of our instructors and managers at the front door cooing at something like it was a baby walking for the first time. Upon closer look, we found however, not an infant, but a rather grown boy (in the mustard yellow SOPA uniform) by the name of Park Jihoon. I inwardly sighed slightly, it didn't take a genius to put two and two together - Jihoon was a new trainee at Maroo Entertainment. It seemed like Jihoon heard his name being mentioned in my mind because he glanced up in the midst of the discussion and looked directly at me. Even then, as our eyes met, I felt nothing, more of a creeped out feeling actually because it felt like he could read my mind. Following his gaze, our manager, a grey-haired dyeing, Mr Choi, noticed us and immediately rushed over, feeling the need to explain the presence of Jihoon. I was of course, already acquainted with him, or at least I hoped he thought so too.

"Ooh, Y/N, Hayoon! You're here so early! As expected from my two most hardworking trainees, come come, meet our new trainee Park Jihoon!" Mr Choi said as he shuffled over to push us forward and meet the wonder boy Jihoon.

I chuckled a little, sure we were hardworking but we came early because the school was holding an award ceremony for the seniors and they basically chased the rest of us out.

Jihoon gave me the same smile as the one in the classroom, I wonder if it was practiced, "Oh hello! You're the transfer student! Good to see we're in the same company, let's work hard together!" the words seemed rehearsed, like he had stood in front of the bathroom mirror and repeated it a hundred times so he wouldn't stutter.

"Nice to meet you too," Hayoon gave an encouraging smile to Jihoon before bowing at everybody and proceeding to the upstairs practice room.

Without me.

I stood there mouth slightly open, at a loss for words before mentally slapping myself, "N-nice to meet you again!" I bowed like I was picking dirt on the floor for a good three seconds before coming back up. From the corner of my eye, I swore I saw Jihoon's mouth tug at the side.

Mr Choi gave a nervous laugh, after all, his superiors were right smack in front of him, hawk-eyeing the heck out of him. "Maybe you could show Jihoon around hmmm Y/N?", his voice had a tinge of impatience in it and as much as I wanted to reject his request, it ironically was not something I could say no to.

"Alright, sure," I said nonchalantly, trying my best to sound like the "cool experienced trainee" in front of Jihoon and all my instructors, "Most of the practice rooms are upstairs," I started making my way to the marble grey staircase at the side of the lift (trainees weren't allowed to use the lift, at least, not when the manager was around). Jihoon jerked slightly, blushing, like he thought we forgot he existed and was busy daydreaming. He swiftly came to catch up with me, leaving behind an awkward group of managers and instructors.

Hayoon was waiting at the top of the stairs, the practice room door already open, presumably by her since we were the first ones to arrive. Jihoon bowed again to her and entered the room to put his bag down.

"He's cute," she whispered when he was out of earshot, "In a dorky Jeon Jungkook kinda way."

I shrugged and pretended like I hadn't noticed.

--

Hello there!

So chapter 2? I'm not very good at commitments and this story is going to be a clear display of my infidelity.

Anyway, I'm posting these two chapters first and if enough people read it I'll write more? I guess? It's finals week what am I doing honestly.

I also decided I wouldn't "cast" any female idol to play "you" because I feel she should look however you want her to, be it you or Choi Yoojung or anyone. Its entirely up to you. Although Hayoon is actually a Maroo trainee (or I presume she used to be) because she debuted in the now disbanded girl group MyB. So thats a thing you can Google.

Also "Unsteady" is like a work in progress title so if you have better less cheesier titles please leave a suggestion, thanks :D

Alright, till the next chapter (if there is any), bye!