Audrey
My plane lands in California at 12:33pm, which means it's 3:33pm in New York.
B.H.E. Agency had sent an SUV for me outside the airport. A man in black is holding a banner that says MISS AUDREY HENSON, and I soon find out he's the chauffeur that B.H.E. instructed to welcome me.
He helps me load my orange suitcases into the trunk. I slide into the backseat, and almost simultaneously, we buckle our seat-belts and exhale heavily.
Two hours later, we arrive at B.H.E. Headquarters, a seven-story building made of glass and metal.
The weather is so hot. No surprise there. I've grown used to a cold climate, and Los Angeles is the complete opposite of winter. The sun is high and the pavement is sizzling so much, you can probably cook eggs and bacon on it.
As I walk into the grand lobby, wheeling my two orange suitcases across the quiet white floor, I silently observe the few people milling around the foyer. They're all slim, Korean, and fashionably dressed, either on their phones or returning from a food-run.
My lime green eyes sweep over my surroundings. There are lounge chairs cornering a glass center table, and every beige wall is covered in posters of all the soloists and groups that have made their debut.
But there are three groups that catch my attention the most: Coco Dream, the 5-member girl group that debuted two years ago, the same year that RM Young's 4-member boy group, 4 Seasons, debuted with "Eternal." And then there's "Forever," the 8-member boy group who are 4 Season's main rival. Whenever Forever's career rises, so does 4 Season's.
Mr. Kim Se-Gin, the manager of 4 Seasons, approaches me with a warm smile. His black hair is neat and short. He's wearing thin-rimmed black glasses and a leather jacket over a shirt and pants--all black.
I don't smile. I've stopped smiling because of what happened to me two years ago. But there's something so kind in Mr. Kim's dark eyes that my lips twitch slightly, until I feel a tiny smile curve my full pink lips.
"Miss Henson! Welcome to B.H. Entertainment," he says once he's close enough. "I'm sorry to rush you," he says politely, leading me into an elevator cabin. "But every day is a busy day here, so I won't be able to guide you thoroughly."
I smile faintly as he presses the button for the 6th floor. But before the doors close, a girl wedges her hand between the doors, preventing them from closing.
"Sorry," says the girl with an apologetic smile, her three friends in tow.
"No problem," I reply, reaching for the columns of buttons. "Which floor?"
"7th," she answers gratefully, her brown eyes twinkling with appreciation.
As the elevator slowly moves up, I can't tear my gaze away from the group of four girls. They look so familiar, and it takes me a second to realize why: They're trainees who plan to debut next month. No wonder their all wearing the same white shirt and black ripped leggings.
Slim and beautiful, all four girls have long hair, but in different colors: Black, brown, pink, and blue. I recognize them as Charm Queens, the four-member girl group born in Seoul.
Mira, the black-haired one, is crying uncontrollably into her white handkerchief.
Luna, the pink--haired one, stroking Mira's back to comfort her. "RM rejected you? Who does he think he is? You know what? I never liked him," says Luna scornfully. "There's this silent monk vibe about him. I hate him."
"She's right," says Nari, the brown-haired one. "Don't cry over that jerk, Mira."
The blue-haired one, Son-Mi, asks Mira, "What did he say exactly?"
