Hearten Me ∵ woojin

XX ;

It is time to perform our self-composed songs as we gather in the large dance studio. I feel calmer than I have been in the past sitting on these cold floors. It is most likely the result of feeling more confident, inspired and determined lately, especially since the event between Woojin and I. Although we weren't together anymore and he wasn't there to physically or verbally give me support or reassurance, the thought of him did the exact same.

Though, like Donghyun suggested, I tried to block Park Woojin out of my thoughts. Every once in a while, he ended up finding his way into my everyday thoughts which I wasn't mad about. Now, I did not think about our relationship, but about him as a person. Just thinking about where he was and what he was doing every day pushed me to work harder in order to achieve as much success as he had. If he were still here in this moment, he would be calming me down, making me feel better- as if I was invincible. He isn't just somebody I like at this point, he is my muse, what heartens me.

While we wait for the evaluations to start, I sat next to my partner, Jaehee, who won't stop blabbering about how nervous yet confident he was in us. I listen in amusement and let him continue to speak, thinking that allowing him to let his feelings out would calm him down in some way.

Jaehee pauses for a second, however, I don't notice that he does since I am occupied with yawning and making sure my head wasn't bothering me too much. I can't deny I'm ill and tired due to the lack of sleep I had as of recently.

I still stayed up late to practice which had led me to catch a fever just a few days ago, starting from when I accidentally met Donghyun. I was riding the tail end of it, but my head would still be dizzy and throb at times, and the horrid feeling of sickness would appear in my nose.

"Hey." Jaehee speaks, snapping me out of my thoughts, "Are you alright? You don't look great right now."

"Thanks," I respond sarcastically, Jaehee's eyes widen realizing the impact of his words. But before he could take them back, I interrupt.

"I was just joking. I'm fine, Jaehee." I force a smile on my lips until I see his tense body relax and he nods.

"Are you still good to perform? We can always talk to Rhymer if you want to go last, or on another day. I'm sure he'll understand."

"No! I should be fine, I feel like I'm good." Jaehee smiles and pats my back as a method of comforting me. Though a cough from my mouth causes him to become worried again. I can only reassure him, saying I really felt fine. It was just a side effect of the sickness I had or still have to an extent.

"I told you to take a rest, Jaeeun." He says, catching onto the fact I was still not okay. But knowing my stubbornness, he doesn't try to convince me to back out of the evaluation.

For the duration of our working together, I have opened up to him about a lot. Communication and trust are the keys to teamwork, so I have been told, which is why we both decided to do so. Perhaps that was the reason we got along so well.

It wasn't too hard for us to open up to each other. I honestly felt that I could trust him just after evaluating how he was as an individual I was acquainted with. Of course, we still weren't extremely close but close enough that I knew things about him that not many others knew and vice versa.

The evaluations proceeded when the judges finally entered the room. I could feel myself become lightheaded with the intensity of the event but Jaehee's hand rubbing circles on my back and my breathing techniques helped soothe me back to normal.

Jaehee and I's performance went extremely well, receiving nothing but compliments from the judges. Despite my pushing through my body's fatigue and the slight pain in my head, I was happy it was over.