happiness | red velvet

01「wendy 」

SON SEUNGWAN had never wanted to become an idol. All she had to do was study hard, make it to a prestigious university like the University of Toronto, and get on with life being a medical doctor or something her parents would be proud of.

She had already been listed as one of the top students in her school, and having acclaimed several awards at a mere age of 18 would surely get her into one of the top courses at a local university, or even better — into Yale or Harvard.

As a Korean-Canadian, she may have been made fun of her ethnicity when she was young, but her academic prowess had proved her classmates wrong. She was determines to rise above all her peers as she was exteemely proud of her achievements, mainly because she had to make sure her parent's efforts weren't gone to waste.

Her parents have always told her to take pride in herself, and not to waste her time doing useless and insignificant things like computer games and watching television —things teens her age should be doing.

She couldn't blame her parents for having high expectations of her — they were, in fact, successful and rich. Her mother was a famous surgeon in the top hospital in Canada, and her father the CEO of his self-made company, SON enterprises.

But never, ever in her life, did she tell her parents about what she truly feels.

She was thankful enough to be living in a beautiful penthouse, branded clothes and a family than to complain about what she truly wanted.

Because she had a hidden passion — singing.

The only time she could let out her inner voice, was in her bathroom when her parents weren't around. Sure, many people do that at home, she'd think to herself, so it's not weird if I do it too.

But little did she know that she was good —really, really good. In a soulful, yet powerful way that makes listeners actually feel her emotions.

Singing was something that her parents would definitely not approve.

But she couldn't help it.

Everytime she opens her mouth to sing, she felt like she was on top of the world. The way her vocal cords stretched when she sang. The way her voice belted out of her body.

The way she saw herself in the bathroom mirro when she sang, confidence radiating out of her. She felt happy. Truly happy.

Happier than doing her homework, or succumbing to her parent's request.

She had to show them one day, that singing was the thing she was good at, not just "good" but confident at. The kind of confidence she couldn't show during exams, when her anxiety kicks in becuase she was worried about not doing well enough or getting the first place.

▤▤▤

BACK IN THE MUSIC ROOM ALONE, Wendy was playing the piano, and singing softly in tune to the lyrics she had penwritten herself.

Checking to see if anyone was at the door or hiding somewhere in the corner of the room, she heaved a sigh of relief when she confirmed that she was alone.

Standing up abruptly, the piano chair scraped behind her and she smiled to herself as she pressed "play" on her phone.

Beyoncé's "Halo" played as she set the phone on the top of the piano ledge. Her deep and powerful voice was finally released as she opened her mouth.

Remember those walls I built,
Well, baby they're tumbling down...

She felt free. After controlling herself not to sing the day before because her mother was sitting in her room and watching her study, one day had felt like eternity to her, and she no longer felt suffocated.

And they didn't even put up a fight,
They didn't even make a sound.

She was so absorbed in singing she didn't notice a pitter-patter of footsteps approaching the music room.

I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt.

The footsteps grew louder and louder, but her voice overpowered everything in her ears as she strung out a series of vibratos.

Standing in the light of your halo,
I got my angel n—

"Woah Wendy! I didn't know your singing was soooo good. I got attracted to your voice from the art room next door! —" Olivia Jung, a Korean-American classmate who is well known for being a crazy kpop fan, exclaimed as she barged into the room.

Embarassed, Wendy scratched her head and blushed profusely, her head bent down. Why —why of all times did she have to come in when I was singing? She internally cursed herself and made a mental note to not sing in school anymore in case of public embarassment.

"I—I'm not."

"Yes yes you are! You are like, totally fit to be a kpop star! Don't forget me when you hit it big!" Olivia grinned and winked at Wendy, who was now flustered by her sudden outbursts of compliments.

Not knowing what to say, Wendy just smiled as the atmosphere between them grew tense and awkward.

"I think I should go—" Wendy picked up her phone and bag, preparing to leave.

"Wait! Don't go yet, I have a brilliant idea," Olivia halted Wendy when she was about to head towards the exit, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Wendy paused, waiting for her to continue.

"Why don't you accompany me for an audition? I bet talent agents would be dying to scout for someone with an amazing singing talent like you!"

An audition? Singing? Talent?

She hesitated. Yes, she was tempted to join the audition— she would be able to freely express her passion for singing and she might even become famous!

But— there's always something to worry about—her parents. Was all her years of living up, or should she say "sucking up" to her parents, worth it to fulfil her dream?
Was her parent's reputation risky enough to be put on the line?

She felt selfish. But worse enough, looking at her reflection in the mirror, she felt encouraged to go against her parents, for once.

Sometimes being perfect no longer becomes an expectation, but a requirement.

And she was determined to do whatever it takes to show her parent that being perfect was something only she could control.

No one else could.

°°°end of 01°°°

a/n; typing in caps feels outright weird.