Let It Shine | Nam Dohyon

1. 'Joyful Noise'

Choir Class
Mid-afternoon

It was one of the many classes they shared. Dohyon noticed her in every single one. Olivia, on the other hand, never paid him any attention.

It wasn't that she was mean or rude. In fact it less had to do with her disregard than it did with his reluctance to interact with her in any way possible.

It had to be the English-speaking foreign exchange student to capture Dohyon's young heart. She was everything new to him, from her physical appearance; natural blonde with light eyes and lightly tanned skin, to her unmovable personality; confident and laid back despite all the pressure of being in a preforming arts school in Korea.

She had a certain sense of stability within her that he admired and longed for.

Was he in love?

Though he wasn't sure exactly what love was, in his mind it was clear as day that he not only adored Olivia Richie but he was completely, undeniably in love with her to the point of no return.

However he would never act upon his feelings. Oh, no. That was too risky.

Instead Dohyon admires her from afar. As she stood across the room, looking prim yet at ease in her school uniform. She smiled brightly and laughed along with her friends, Yujin and Wonyoung.

The corners of Dohyon's mouth raise up in a content smile. A joyous emotion bubbles up inside him at the sight of her cheerful demeanor.

From his spot leaning against the white brick wall the divine image was at just the quintessential angle to be etched into his mind for later on day dreams.

"Dohyon-ie, you're staring again."

Eunsang waved his hand in front of his friend's face.

After a few seconds of no response Eunsang began repeating his name in hopes of bringing the boy back from his absentminded state.

"Dohyon, c'mon we're about to start. Come back to earth."

Reluctantly, the younger boy turned to face his friend with a pout. His arms crossed in an irritated manner.

"Aish, why can't you just leave me alone?" He snapped.

Eunsang brushes the boy's attitude off to the side. He scoffs lightly at the latter's behavior.

"You are the only one that would change up the song for choir and not worry in the slightest how much trouble you will be in." In a way Eunsang was impressed with Dohyon. Fearless when it came to messing with conventional regulations. "Professor Choi is going to rip out your insides when she hears what you did."

"For Olivia Richie," Dohyon peered over at the girl, "just seeing her smile would make it worth it."

•••

Dohyon found himself behind the keyboard as per usual. He was always the one to play whatever piece of music they were preparing since he could do it so easily. He played the first couple chords marking Wonjin's start:

"Sing with a voice of comfort and gladness. You give me joy."

The professor sighed delightfully. Closing her eyes to absorb the soft tones of her student's voice.

Dohyon took a deep breath before switching up the music to a more upbeat tempo.

"Hey. One, two, three." Minhee and Yuna count together.

Except for the few students who were in on it, everyone else was surprised. Including Olivia, whose pleasantly surprised facial expression made Dohyon's day.

"Singing is the way we, way we celebrate."
"Freedom to express ourselves in every single way."

Eunsang and Chaeryeong bounce the lyrics back and forth from each other.

"Do your dance, it's your chance, let it shine."

Olivia grinned from ear to ear. She looked to her friends that happened to have no clue what was happening either. Not that any of them disliked the changes made to the song.

"Oh, come make a joyful noise."

They all sang along to the chorus with more enthusiasm than they had ever had with the old version. It was as if excitement of doing something different ignited the room.

The young boy snuck glances at the girl whenever he could. Desperate to see her reaction.

The rap part was all Hyeongjun and Ryujin. If the professor hadn't been so angry about the changes to the song she might've even been shockingly satisfied by their talent.

"Joyful noise giving a feeling I can't control.
Way down, deep in my soul."

Olivia watched in delight as the two rappers began to move around to the beat. Hyeongjun, being the dancer he is, wasn't afraid to show off a bit. Although he was never one to get too cocky.

She chuckled at the sight of the seemingly cute boy exhibiting his charisma.

"Turn it up, no need to be under
The boom in my base will rock you like thunder."

Dohyon mouthed along with the lyrics. Still trapped in his brain from when he first jotted them down. More than anything seeing people's reactions to his words brought him the most joy.

Once the song ended, he ignored the upset professor heading his way and stared at the girl jumping up and down with her friends.

"Nam Dohyon, what do you think you're doing? You're in big trouble young man. Big trouble."

But Dohyon didn't care.