(Fast forward a week later)

The three girls were inseparable after their first meeting,they found out they really completed each other as a team.

Sae: "Vinnie! What's your strength?"

Vinnie: "Definitely my vocals!"she would gesture herself hitting a high note on an imaginary mic.

"What about Eun Chae?"

Eun Chae : "I am a dance queen!" Chae twirled up making the other 2 giggle.

"And our Sae is a...."

"RAP GODDESS!" Both the girls announce as SK smirks coolly.

SK: Woah we really are a great team!

EunChae : Let's come up with a team name!

Vinnie : Vin-Chae-Sae!?

EunChae: That's sounds cutee! What about the motto??!

Sae: "Let's Debut Hey!"

The girls exchanged glances.

"That sounded corny but....

Vin-Chae-Sae! Let's Debut Hey!"

______________________________

The girls were waiting for their monthly evaluations as they all say in their studio,waiting for the pd to come in.

All girls sat in their own groups,engrossed in their own talks.

Sae noticed Vinnie was tensed. She had been working on choreography for her entrance test to I-LAND. She was nervous about the dance part,since it was not her strongest forté.

Sae assuringly put her hand over her friends and nodded with a smile.

"You will be fine Vinnie."

Vinnie smiled and nodded back.

"Thank you Sae. I am glad I have you both."

As the three girls were having their lovey dovey moments,the villain of their story of course had to step in for some masala.

"Tsk tsk why dearest Vinnie Kim? Looks like someone's having a tough time with the trainee life huh sweetie?" Ji Eun said sarcastically as the trio rolled their eyes.

"Yah...just go away shoo shoo " SK swatted her off as if she was a fly,leaving her aghast.

"Did you just shoo shoo me off? You 5th grade failure star?!"

Before the argument would get bigger,EunChae the peacemaker stepped in,knowing SK's temper,she couldn't let it escalate at this moment.

"Yah,she is just trying to provoke you,let it be." She tries to reason.

"What's the need for me to provoke? I am just questioning why none of us girls,who have been training here since several months and years don't get that opportunity,but some random half blood just comes in one day and takes it away from us- Don't you think we have a right to question?" EunChae notices some of the other girl's expressions.

It looked like they had the same thoughts that Ji Eun just voiced out.

To be honest,she understood the other girl's feelings,because as much as they were friendly with each other,this was a competition,a survival of its itself. And everyone waited to grab every chance they had.

Before anyone could say anything,Vinnie stepped up,walked up to Ji Eun,to talk to her-eye to eye.

"I know,and respect each and every girl's dream here,and all the hard work and passion they have put into this. I also know I don't have a longer training period. But the passion?" She tapped on her heart.

"That started burning here since I was a kid. "

Sae was watching in awe,Vinnie was all giggly and cute,but when she got serious-boy she sent bells ringing in everyone's hearts.

"I-am going to prove to you why I am here." Vinnie said out loud for everyone to hear. And that's when the doors swung open and their instructors stepped in for their evaluation.

Vinnie turned back to look into Ji Eun's fear struck eyes.

"Jigumbuteo"

_______________________________

Sae was in a daze,she has always been dazzled by strong women,being in the company of HyunA,Yeeun and Soyeon Unnies,she was marvelled by this exotic beauty Vinnie Unnie.

Well,she totally aced Maria,touched those high notes and got those beats right. She proved it. A one month old trainee proved that she was an A- level and got this chance with her talent and talent only.

As for Ji Eun...well...

"Tsk tsk Ji Eun,voice crack again. You have been here for over 2 years,look at girls who actually work to improve. Why don't you pay attention to your vocal lessons?" The instructor shook her head disapprovingly as Ji Eun stood there like a stick figure.

"I am sorry! I will work harder!" She bowed her head in embarassment.

"Tsk Tsk" Sae snickered.

_______________________________

Sae walked out of the practice room to get a drink,and was startled to find an unfamiliar some one right outside the door.

The guy panicked and tried to walk away,looks like he was eavesdropping(guess who👀)

"Yah! What were you doing?" She demanded.

"Y-Ya-Yahhh?? I am your sunbae yahhh" he is slightly pink,having been caught in the act,and stammers.

"Okayy 'Sunbaenim' what were you doing? There,I asked you very respectfully now " Sae raised her eyebrows.

The guy who was as tall as the coin vending machine pretended he was also here for a drink and pressed a button.

"I um...came to get a coke .." he tried to play it cool as he inserted a coin in the machine.

"And...?" Sae would not let him go,she had to know the tea.

"I just happened to hear some conflict going on inside,it was loud so...I umm happened to hear some of it .." he was going red in the ears.

Sae smirked,she got him to admit .

"And then I just wanted to see how that...um trainee performed ..."

"Then....?" Sae raised her eyebrows.

"Well...i got to hear some pitch perfect singing,so it was nice to listen to her voice...umm..."He quickly took his coke and tried to get away from there,but he turned back and came to her.

"Please keep this to yourself,won't you? If this gets out,people would interpret it in some other way...." He pleaded with his doe eyes and Sae found it really cute.

"No problem sunbae,i understand. Honestly even though I am a girl,Vinnie Unnie hits different." Sae admitted.

"Vin-nie...?"  He carefully pronounced her name and Sae nodded.

He then smiled showing his dazzling smile.

"Woah,he has perfect teeth." Sae thought.

"Komawo! For keeping this a secret Sae Kyung ah."

"Woah...Sunbaenim...how do you know my name? She asked in wonder.

He chuckled, "I and my brother would watch Show Me The Money religiously,and my brother openly says he likes you better than I hehe "

Well Sae is happy with the validation. She sometimes forgets she was once well known.

"Wait,ain't I your sunbae then? Since I actually debuted before you?!" She says in a hyper tone.

He chuckled. "Well,okay then,SK Sunbaenim" he bows dramatically making her chuckle.

"What's your name though?" She asked to which he cheekily replied.

"The guy who retired trainee life at #1 position." He chuckled and walked away.

Sae Kyung stood there trying to recollect the name she saw on the notice board last time with EunChae.

Then it struck her .

"Lee Heeseung?!"

"Woah...cool dude."

_______________________________

It was lunchtime and the trio sat down at their table to have their meals.

"Vinnie Unnie...you have got fans already." Sae smirked.

"Eh?" Her friend looked confused.

"Who are you referring to?" She chuckled as she took a sip of her favourite banana milk.

"You will find out one day." SK smirked. Trainee life was really getting interesting for her.

"I wonder when I will have fans again" the fifteen year old sighed

________________________________

A trainee named Lee Sangwon was at his locker,sorting through his stuff when someone tapped on his right shoulder.

He looked to the left to find a surprised Heeseung.

"Why don't you ever fall for my trick?" Hee pouted.

"Why don't you you give up on that trick hyung." Sangwon laughed.

"Yah...so you really won't change your mind?" Heeseung leans back on the lockers as he asks his best friend.

Sangwon but his lip and nodded firmly.

He looked back at Heeseung.

"Yes hyung. I don't think this survival show is for me. I want to keep my trust,that I wouldn't need to go through all of that evil editing just to debut. I want to strengthen my skills further and I am sure my chance will come one day. I trust my abilities." He put his hand on hyung's shoulders.

"But hyung...you have to go. You have to go and pick your team." He said in a light hearted tone

"Pick my team? Yah even I have to competeee" Hee chuckled.

Sangwon giggled, "Everyone knows you will get in hyung,your efforts finally paid off,it's a great time to show the world who the ace is."

Hee stared at his best friend.

"I will miss you."

"I will too hyung,Jay is going too right?" Sangwon asked.

Hee nods,and Sangwon slowly nods,heaving out a sigh.

It seemed like all of his friends were moving ahead.

Taehyun,Kai and now Heeseung and Jay,everyone were taking the next step,but he was still hesitant. Had he even made the correct choice?

Hee seemed to understand his fears. He placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Sangwon aa,you got this brother . You will make it. We will meet again."

"And go on a trip to Brunei again "Sangwon said making Hee chuckle.

It was a bittersweet moment for them. They might not see each other for a couple of years,and it would be hard to keep in touch,but their friendship would always keep them connected. They strongly believed that.

_______________________________

             (A month passed)

I-LAND had begun,that means half the boys and one girl were gone from the training camp.

It was much quieter these days in the halls. SK took this to her advantage. She practiced in every empty practice room she could find. She was determined- she had to place first in the monthly trainee ranking.

"Why take baby steps when you can start with the top."

The day finally came,her second monthly evaluation. She sat on the floor with a couple of other trainees,and opposite to her was her arch enemy-Jo Woochan, smirking at her.

"I am going to beat you this time." SK gestured.

"Let your actions speak miss." He shrugged.

They shared an intense eye lock.

Gosh how badly she wanted to beat him.

She will this time.

Jo Woochan,get ready.

________________________________

A/N-24th June 2022

Everyone,meet Sangwon! The latest member to be revealed in this story. He has been a trainee since 2016 and has waited along time for his debut. Let's all give all of our love and support to this amazing talented boy.

Please do vote and comment,your comments really make my day :)

Saranghae(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

~Author V✌️