02

You see, she was also a rookie under SM when we met in the year 2012. EXO-sunbaenims were preparing for debut while us, hyungs and dongsaengs, were training of course.

I met her when we were introduced to the company. She was with Eunji, Soeun, and Junghee back then. The four of them were really close. (Foreign line: Haejin, Yui and Xiurong weren't in SM yet.)

You know what Jisung said during our interview? "You know in those movies when everything around you just slows down? Like that." It was literally like that.

Call me whipped, but I'd rather call it "love at first sight"

Might sound cheesy as it's coming from me, but it was true. And it all happened.

***

"Mark-hyung!" I heard Jeno called me.

We just finished rehearsing 'Growl' for the rookies show.

I sat on the couch and stretched my legs and arms. I feel so damn exhausted.

I turned my head towards him, "Hm?"

I don't know why but he was looking worried? Or is it just me?

"Is it true?" Jeno asked, almost running out of breath. "That... you're dating Sohyun?"

My eyes widened. I almost ran out of breath.

How the hell did they even know?! They aren't even close to Sohyun! Well, except for Jaemin because he's basically close to everyone here.

"W-What? Where did that come from?" I asked, looking down, trying hard to avoid the question.

Jeno looked shock, "Yah, hyung! When did you learn to keep such things to us?" He asked, sounding sad.

I sighed, "Please don't be mad..." I guess I really have no choice but to tell them the truth? I'm guessing that the hyungs already know by now.

Jeno sighed, "Hyung, I'm not mad.. I'm just asking the reason why you didn't tell us.."

"I'm just scared that you guys might not like her for me..."

I know how they think. I'd rather keep our relationship to myself.

"Hyung, we're all friends here. She's a nice girl, of course we like her for you." Jeno smiled at me.

"Jinjja?" I asked, trying to sound surprised.

"Of course!"

***

"So... they know." I started

We were walking outside the building. We had an hour break before going back to the dorm. And the two of us? We kinda chose to be together...

Sohyun looked down, "I think it's my fault.."

It's not that I'm guilt tripping her or anything, but I'm just letting her know.

I looked at her, "How did it become your fault?"

She sighed, "Maybe they overheard me because I told Eunji-unnie.." She said.

I held her hand, "Hey, don't say that... it's not like.. it's a big deal if they would know." I looked at her eyes. She was really scared.

"You're not mad?" She asked.

Why would I be? How could I be?

I shook my head, "Of course not."

"What about your brother and sister?" She asked. "Do they know?"

I sighed, "Appa and oppa does... hyung does, too. Haejin...? I haven't talked to her."

I basically forgot to tell Haejin. I called them earlier and I just talked to hyung. He said that Haejin is still recovering from the global audition earlier.

Ugh, I'm just gonna deal with Haejin later.

"Your sister... what is she like?" Sohyun asked.

"Haejinnie? She's nice once you get to know her." I smiled.

I'm starting to miss that heck of a girl. The way she screams inside the house while fangirling about SHINee hyungs before. Take me back.

"I wanna meet her." Sohyun said.

"You'll meet her soon. Once she gets through an audition." I said sadly.

That girl already went through several auditions.

JYP, Cube, and now, YG.

And I will be lying if I say that she isn't talented. She can play the drums, piano, and guitar. She can sing, dance, rap— perfect for an idol. That's why I'm wondering why some auditions can't just accept her.

"I'm sure she'll be accepted." She said, nodding.

"Yeah, but unfortunately... she just got rejected." I sighed.

"Eh?! Wae?! What happened?" She asked.

I shrugged, "She's really good. She even improved now that she's inspired." I laughed.

"Inspired?" She asked.

"Oops... I wasn't supposed to say that." I said embarrassingly. "But I guess you're bound to know anyways.."

"Eh? What is it?" She asked.

"I happen to be working with the person she likes."

"Jinjja? Jinjja?! Who? I want to help her!!" She exclaimed excitedly.

I laughed. "Jaemin."

"Oh, is that so? I can't wait to work with her, then!" She smiled.

"I bet she also can't wait to work with you." I smiled at her.

***

"Wait, appa. You're saying that oppas didn't know that you and mom were together before?" Minji asked, both her hands were on her chin, listening to my story intently.

I nodded, "Mhm~"

"Why didn't you tell them though?" Minji asked.

I was taken aback by her question. Not that I'm ashamed to be with her, it's just that, I don't wanna get teased by them.

"I just don't wanna get teased by the hyungs." I answered. Well, it's true.

"Oh~ I see."

***

I entered the room and it looked like I just interrupted hyungs' conversation. I just shrugged it off and went towards the couch.

I sat down and sighed, "If you guys are talking about me and Sohyun, then it's fine. You don't have to talk about it behind me.." I said, not even thinking about where did that come from.

Taeyong-hyung raised a brow, "We aren't talking about you guys, Mark. You know it yourself that we aren't like that.." He said.

Honestly, I'm too tired today but oh well.

"Whatever happens Mark, I hope you'll be happy with Sohyun." Jaehyun-hyung said.

I smiled weakly, "Thanks, hyung."

I sighed again.

"You seem to be in deep thought. What's bothering you?" Johnny-hyung asked.

I shook my head, "Nothing much, hyung... I'm just worried about my sister."

"Haejin?" Taeil-hyung asked.

I nodded.

"Why, hyung? Did something happened to her?" Jaemin asked.

I shook my head, Jaemin seems to be really interested. "No, it's not like that at all."

"Then what?" Ten-hyung asked.

"She got rejected again. And my brother told me earlier that she's not coming out of her room again." I sighed.

"What? But she's talented. Why did she got rejected?" Jeno asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know... and she basically joined the audition of 2 out of the 3 biggest entertainments here in Korea."

"So she just joined YG's audition?" Yuta-hyung asked.

I nodded.

"When will SM have a global audition in Canada?" Doyoung-hyung asked.

"I don't know hyung... but according to her, she'll take a break from auditions for a while." I said.

They nodded.

"Alright... pack your things up. It's time to go." Taeyong-hyung said, and we complied.