I sighed and buried my face in my hands for the 40th time. The other top 9 members looked at me worriedly.

"Are you okay Jihyun?" Hayoung asked me.

I sighed. "I keep messing up this one part, I can't seem to get it."

I didn't want my debut spot to be taken away from me. I worked very hard to pass the video evaluations, just to have to pass another thing.

But at this pace, it will be taken away from me.

_
"WELCOME!"

"TRAINEES, FOR YOUR SECOND MISSION!"

Everyone clapped and cheered.

The performances started, with C-class going against B-class. Honestly, they were both very good and Jeon Heejin especially.

Three members ended up switching between C-class and B-class. That meant that the gap wasn't two big between the teams. I'm sure the A-class is as good as the top 9.

The A-class group went up, with Ryujin amongst them. If I were to have to switch with Ryujin, I'd feel pretty bad but not as bad as if I were to switch with someone else.

Their performance ended, with two members switching.

It was time for the top 9 to perform.

Along with the other eight, we got on stage and got ready.

Don't mess up don't mess up don't mess up-

The music suddenly started and I didn't realize that I totally blanked out. I missed the beat by a mere second, but a second was enough to notice my mistake. I quickly caught up, but I knew that I had messed up real bad.

Damn it, I only had one job.

I continued performing the best as I could, hoping it would make up for my mistake.

As the high notes started, and the dance moves that came along with it, the harder it became. My voice came out noticeably shaky and breathless.

The music ended and it was time for the switches. I silently cursed at myself in disappointment.

"There are two switches, I will announce the first one now." YG said. "Lee Sujin, A-class."

"You will be switching with Hwang Jihyun."

I sighed and nodded in disappointment and quickly walked over to the A-class side next to Ryujin.

"I was a bit disappointed Jihyun." YG said. "Your rank is fluctuating a lot."

"Yes, I will work harder." I said.

Ryujin patted my back lightly, earning a slight smile from me. I'll be back in the top 9, soon.

_
The boys class switches were shocking, someone from B-class somehow climbed all the way up to the top 9. I forgot his name, Jonghung? Hongjung? But he stood out a lot.

Woo Jinyoung wasn't part of the performances, and I assumed it was because of his dancing. None of the HappyFace entertainment members were amazing at dancing.

When the top 9 battles were over, we all went home for the next day would be our big performance.

_
I was about ready to sleep when my phone went off. I assumed it was Jinyoung messaging me.

Jinyoung:
I can't believe u got pushed down to A-class ://

Me:
Yeahhhh but I messed pretty badly so it's ok ig
Me:
More screen time for me then

Jinyoung:
Good point
Jinyoung:
I think I showed up once in this broadcast ;( my online rank is gonna go down

Me:
Dude ur online rank is like in the twentys out of like 90 ppl it's not that bad

Jinyoung:
Yeahh
Jinyoung:
Ur online rank isn't bad either

Me:
My judge vote is pretty bad I think tho ahahaha
Me:
Don't think I'm making papa YG all that proud

Jinyoung:
I think he favors u
Jinyoung:
Otherwise he wouldn't point out that u made mistakes he didn't for anyone else

Me:
Wait a sec doesn't that mean he hates me more then them

Jinyoung:
No he wants u to improoove

Me:
Iiiii guuessss
Me:
I'm gonna be in the top 9 for sure next time tho

Jinyoung:
Me 2

Me:
R u sleeping yet

Jinyoung:
Idk if u are I will

Me:
Ok goodnight then

Jinyoung:
Ur SUPPOSED to say "I'll stay up longer for you"

Me:
nop
Me:
I ain't staying up for u

Jinyoung:
*sad tears*
Jinyoung:
Fine then u should probably sleep anyways
Jinyoung:
Goodnight my butterfly ;)

Me:
Stop that 🖕

Jinyoung:
Stop middle fingering me
Jinyoung:
WAIT A SEC THAT SOUNDED WRONG
Jinyoung:
omg why is there no unsend button fuq u apple

Me:
AHAHAHAHA STOP MIDDLE FINGERING ME

Jinyoung:
I HATE U GOODBYE

Me:
ily too gn ;))

Jinyoung:
My hearttttt

Me:
SIKEEE I HATE U
Me:
PEACE O U T

Jinyoung:
:,,,,,(

_

"Woahhh the stage is so big!" I said in awe as we walked into the place where we would be having our first stage.

"At least we can stand on it." Ryujin said.

I nodded.

After rehearsing a few times, our stage was about ready.

The two centers were Lee Sujin (the one that took my debut spot) and Kim Hyojin. They sounded like professionals honestly, it was amazing.

The judges were YG, Zion T, Seungri, and Jennie from Blackpink. I was shocked to see her.

Everyone got into their positions as we rehearsed, and after the introductions, the music started.

It went well, as expected. I danced and sang as well as I could, hoping to grab the audience and judge's attention that would put me into the top 9.

When the song ended, the audience roared in cheers and claps. It felt really good to hear their cheers, and I had a lot of energy in me.

After the judges said a few words we got off the stage and headed to another place.

I entered the room with Ryujin and my mouth opened in surprise. In rows on multiple stairs, were chairs. On the ground were chairs too. So many chairs.

Ryujin and I claimed seats in the front and I saw that the cut off for the ranks on the steps was until rank 49th. I should have no problem making it up there.

"Do the rest get eliminated or something??" I asked.

Ryujin gasped an covered her mouth. "That would be tragic. Already??"

"It can't be, we just started." I said.

I looked at the boys coming in. Jinyoung stepped in with a look of surprise on his face. His last rank was 32nd, if I remembered right.

Jinyoung looked at me and mouthed, "eliminations?"

I shrugged with wide eyes.

MC Hongchul entered dramatically once the floor chairs were all filled. He climbed on the podium and spoke in the microphone, congratulating everyone on their first stage.

"THE SEATS BEHIND ME HERE, ARE THE OFFICAL RANKINGS FROM 49th TO 1st. THE SCORES WERE 50% JUDGE VOTE AND 50% AUDIENCE VOTE." Hongchul announced.

"IN THE END OF THAT ALL, THE TOTAL SCORES OF THE PLACES FROM 49th UP WILL BE ADDED UP FOR BOYS AND GIRLS..."

"AND THE HIGHEST BETWEEN THE TWO GENDERS EARNS A PLUS 1,000 POINTS!"