|| IS IT LOVE ||

The Audition

Several days passed as we practised with all our might. I had to work hard on my vocal ranges to bring it to perfection. I and Mini passed most of the rounds before the auditions.

Sometimes, I would get stressed out but her motivational talks would always help me carry on. Jihoon also joined us as our lead in the contemporary session. I would not deny how much he helped me to improve in this field and how his presence would itself bring cheerfulness among us.

______

There were only two days left before the Bighit Auditions and anxiety and nervousness had already taken over our practice rooms. We practised during the night sessions too but many of them left getting tired. Once when I was done with our practices, sat down wearyingly on the cold marble floor followed by Jihoon.
Mini went to fetch some cold drinks from the canteen for us.

"Well Done. You really improved a lot Jessica. But don't you think you are overworking yourself?" Jihoon asked while laying back on the wall with half closed eyes which clearly reflected his exhaustion.

"Oh. Thanks. As I told you they were from the Bighit and how specifically they chose their trainees. So I gotta practice to make sure that I won't miss a chance." I said while fisting my palms and lifting it in the air.

"Are you that desperate? Why can't you join any other company with me?
Just because Jeon Jungkook is there."

He said raising his voice a little to which I felt offended. "Listen, I do like him but that guy gave me my dream, a dream that I'm working hard for...He's my role model." I said looking at him in the eye.

Then his facial expressions changed into a smile."I know cutiepie, was just trying to piss you off " he let out a series of giggles and I gently smacked his shoulders. "You're really weird Jihoon."

                             _______

And finally the day we've all been waiting for came. The auditorium was full of students, their group leads and a number of Bighit choreographers.
We were all piled up in the practice rooms revising our steps and lyrics.
I anxiously held on to Mini's hand the whole course of time and she repeatedly kept convincing me. "Look Jess. Its gonna be all right, we'll just have to focus on our performance."

She kept repeating but I couldn't calm my poor hearteu.
"Or just imagine Jungkook among the audience, imagine he's staring with a serious face and eyes glued on you. I guess this will probably help you a lot".
"What, Jung...kook in the audience! I mean whatever. Why would I be bothered by it though?" I said with a straight face but just the thought of it gave shivers down my spine.

"Contestant Mini Park and Jessica Young, on the stage please!" There was an announcement and it was our turn to present our performance. As we were leaving for the stage Mini embraced me. "We can do it Jess, alright! Lets show them who we are!"
There was so much passion flooding out through her eyes.

As the children cheered for us, the sound echoed around the entire auditorium. We both were the ace of our group and that's the reason why everyone's attention was towards us.

As the music played, I let myself to move with every beat and flow. I tried to do the contemporary moves which Jihoon taught me and then there was the part of the hip hop dance break which I did with all my energy. The claps and whistles increased with every move and then my eyes suddenly fell on a figure, a similar figure which I have came across before and unknowingly my heart started racing. It was an unusual feeling and but I was taken aback by his deep stare. Soon the music stopped and the choreographers clapped with a satisfied smile on their faces.

Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the performance. We were told to wait in our practice rooms and we did as nervousness and anticipation filled our hearts. And finally it came to an end when the selected trainees names were called out and to our amazement our names were on the second category.

"Yes! Mini, we did it! wooh wooh!"
I was overwhelming with joy and embraced Mini tightly to the last extent. "Yeah Jess! I told you right, our hard work will pay off one day, and it finally did!" She was just too happy which I've never seen her to be. While I was thanking our choreographers, I was reminded of a person Jihoon! Where is he, I gotta thank him.

I searched for him everywhere and even asked his roommates but they were unable to answer. As I moved back towards my dorm I got a message from Mini to arrive and start packing up our belongings. She replied that they ordered to make it fast as there vans would be leaving soon. Seeing her message I was excited but sad as well because Jihoon was nowhere to be found.

I was aware of the fact that how much he helped with my lessons and the moments we spend together. He was the first male friend I ever had. Slowing these things were piling up my heart and I decided to move back to my dorms. As I walked I looked back several times but there was nothing except the empty corridors.

We got ready with our belongings, I looked at Mini who was busy with her makeover. "Why are you getting all dressed up? Are you meeting your boyfriend there or something?"
"Um. Yeah kind of. You may not be aware of this girl but Bangtansonyodan will be greeting us before we get into our dorms. And you know Jimin will be there too...so".

"Oh maybe..." I was too lost in my thoughts to pay attention towards Mini's words. I was really upset over the fact that I couldn't even meet Jihoon for the last time.

We held our belongings and stood out in our campus, where the senior teachers were greeting the other students. I thanked the teachers and senior staffs for looking after us.
Somewhere my eyes searched for Jihoon but I was taken aback by a shout "Jessica!"

I turned back to analyze the voice but before that a warm figure embraced me and I was in a uttered shock. "I'm sorry I was late." He said in a husky voice while he tried to pacify himself.
I smiled at him as he let out a small box which was wrapped like a gift.
"For me, you don't need to--
"Just take it Jess, its a mark of our friendship."
"Hey why are you talking this nonsense right now, can't you say something funny!" I shouted when I saw his eyes getting watery.
When I opened it, it was a small bracelet in which the letter "J" was crafted. It was a silver bracelet. "Wow its beautiful. Thank you my buddy I replied while my eyes glued on the bracelet.

He then gently hold my hand and inserted the bracelet to which I looked at him surprised.

"You asked me a question right? The very first day we met?"
"Yeh I did..
"You asked which girl I like from our university, isn't it?"
I nodded slightly but somewhere I did not wanted to know.
"Jess...I...just.."
"Oh come on, spill it already or else I'm leaving now."
"I'll tell it via message!"
"Will you say it or----
"I like you Jess. From the day I met you."
"Aha Aha. There you go again. Your jokes aren't funny anymore." I smirked at him but soon it was erased when he let out those words.
"It's not a joke, Jess. Cause I got no time to joke with you anymore. Don't get surprised or anything, I just confessed. You don't need to answer, I know you don't feel anything like that towards me. Its fine!"

I was dumbstruck and was running out of words. I thought of something else but I never imagined him to say something like this. So instead of saying something I let out a deep shy and thanked him for being there for me.

"Guys, Come on. The van has arrived!"
"I guess I have to leave now. And yes inform me if you ever get selected by any company." I let out a large grin before hugging him for the last time.

"And Yeah. Take care that you won't get into any trouble cause there will be no Jihoon to save you out!" He said while smiling widely.

And we both waved at each other.

Don't worry guys. He was just a good friend! Well its sad tho!🤧