20 cm || Choi Yeonjun

01

"I'M STILL TALKING TO YOU JIWON! DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON ME!" I heard my brother yell as I stomp my way to my room. My footsteps were heavily resonating as angry pads on the hard wood floor made creaking noises on the already silent night. I was beyond upset. He just wouldn't listen. It was like I was talking to a brick wall, he was just so stubborn. All of my pleas went falling to deaf ears.

The moment he discovered the letter from the mail, he immediately pulled me to the living room. He had forced me to sit down, and once he saw that I was caged under his stare, he pulled his phone out and almost messaged the company, wanting to pull me out of the line up. If I hadn't begged on my knees, my name would have been long erased from the company's records.

"No! This time you should listen to me!" I yelled back without turning.

Frustrated, I purposely closed my door with a loud bang. I plopped myself on my bed and tried to hide the ugly tears that were streaming out.

"He can't just always decide for me. What about what I want?" I whispered to myself while wiping the stubborn tears.

I winced when I felt the skin on my cheeks getting irritated. It was starting to get blotched and already, I could feel the angry red tinge on my nose and cheeks. I'll surely have a puffy face tomorrow accompanied by a headache.

Not even a minute passed and I already hear keys shaking in the background. I knew my brother would enter my room any time now. I sucked in a breath. Preparing myself for the worst. My brother's outbursts tend to terrify me because it was a complete 360 degrees turn compared to his usual bright persona.

"Do you even know what you've done? The consequences of being an idol, Jiwon? Apparently not because you just made a stupid decision behind my back!" Hoseok oppa spat angrily after almost breaking my door. His words felt like acid, harsh and cold to my ears. I shiver when I see his jaw ticking and veins protruding from the pressure of fisting his hands so tightly. I unconsciously backed myself in the corner, nails digging the bed's headrest for support.

"O-oppa, please! Just this once. I s-swear, I'll show you that I deserve this..." I struggled to explain while containing my hiccups. I pathetically rubbed the tears away with the sleeves of my sweater. This was what I wanted so so much. Why did he not see it?

My brother sighed after a minute of contemplation. He sat beside me on the bed and reached for my cold hands. He engulfed it with his large ones, warming it up as he drew slow circles. I probably looked pathetic, my hair is messy and eyes are bloodshot from crying too much.

I felt like an utter eyesore.

My ego was already bruised because of the constant comparison I had to go through but I just can't make myself hate my brother. He knew exactly what I had to go through so he's trying his best to shelter me.

And by doing that, he wants me to pull out from Bighit....

I love him dearly. I wouldn't trade him for the world. Hoseok oppa completely understood me. He read my emotions quickly and he knows when to comfort me. But everything just went downhill when he read the letter sent to me by the company this morning. He was dead set on keeping me here at home.

He even went as far as arguing with mom and dad. This was the first time I saw him lose his composure. He was very furious, almost tearing the paper in his hands.

"That's not the point, Jiwon. Being an idol will drain you and the media is toxic. I don't want you to experience what I had in the past." His voice turned soft when he squeezed my hand. I shook my head immediately after hearing him. He was just not getting my point.

"B-but oppa, this is my dream. I can take all of it. Can you please just trust me?" I said, pleading. I stared at my brother and by the way his eyes were staring off to space, I knew he was close to giving me a chance. I just need to push a little more. He was right on the edge.

"I passed the auditions! I'll start training the day after, oppa. They saw my potential. I can be an idol!" I added. I knew my voice was still shaky but I just couldn't afford backing down now. I laid my education aside for this huge step. Our parents finally heard me.

Hoseok oppa lowered his head and sighed through his nose. I tried hard to hide my smile because I knew that I've won. He loved his sister too much.

"Okay... But the second I hear something bad has happened to you from the company, I wouldn't hesitate to pull you out. Am i clear?" He said with all seriousness but I was far too happy to hear him. I hugged Hoseok oppa immediately and kissed his cheek.

"Nothing bad will happen, okay? I promise I will update you everyday during training!" I chirped while smiling widely. My heart was beating so wild out of excitement.

"You better. Our tour will officially start tomorrow and I wouldn't be here to see you. I just came back to pack my bags." Hoseok oppa ruffled my hair and stood up. He left after he made me pinky swear that I'll tell him my progress with training. After that, he went to his room and started packing.

Once I heard my door closing, I dived to my pillow and squealed. At last! I'm one step closer to reaching my dreams!

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Word Count : 991

How was it so far MOAs?

Do you guys find it weird that I use bold letters to emphasise the characters' conversations?