I shake my head as the two girls go back to their seats, leaving me to ponder how to counter their snarky and disrespectful behavior towards Saesong. She doesn't deserve to be treated like scum. How no-one else beside me has intervened to put an end to the belittling is concerning. If the production thinks excessive drama and bullying bring more audience, they're wrong. I'm tired of this bullshit.

Dinner is over, but pain isn't yet. I try to stay in my lane and finish tidying up my side of the room as I make sure I've unpacked everything, but, as I trip on my now empty suitcase, I hear someone laughing. It's definitely not Saesong.

It's one of the other contestants. Not either of those who pushed Saesong or made fun of my accent in the canteen. This girl has to be younger than me. I don't know if she's laughing at me, or for other reasons.

Before I can introduce myself properly, she takes a jab at me. "Hey, nice suitcase. It definitely comes handy as a trap, too. Perfect if you want to get back at someone you hate." I don't like her sarcasm. There's something off about her, and it's not just her long nails or dark make-up.

I counter her negative vibes with a positive mindset. "Hi, I'm Cha Saesom. Nice to meet you, I guess." I offer her a hand, which she shakes while bowing before me.

"Hmm. You don't seem familiar. First time on screen?"

"Oh, well, I did busking performances in my hometown here and there, and-"

"Busking? So, I assume you can sing and dance."

"Yes. If you want, I can show you one of my favorite performances."

"Not now." Her annoyed tone turns me off. It's such a shame because we've started what seemed to be a pleasant conversation. So, her attitude comes off as a sort of barrier preventing me from getting across the point.

"Okay. Maybe tomorrow, what do you think?"

"We'll see."

"What's your name, by the way? You haven't told me."

"Mari. Heo Mari."

"Oh, what a good name."

"Thank you... I guess."

"You seem tired."

"Yeah, I am. Good night." She buries her head in her pillow, which I take as a sign I should mind my own business. This Mari girl might sound blunt, but isn't as bad as I thought she'd be. I wonder if we'll be able to maintain an amicable relationship throughout the show.

But, for now, all I think is getting my empty suitcase out of the way—and sleeping. Who know when the staff are waking us up. Hopefully, not in the dead of dawn. I'm not really into waking up that early.

***

As I unfortunately expected, we're already up at 6am sharp. The staff have burst in the room, using megaphones to wake us up. Is this going to be a customary daily routine? I hope not, or else I'll have an even harder time sleeping because I won't be able to dream of anything beside that "alarm" blaring in the room at an ungodly time.

"You have thirty minutes to get ready, which includes brushing your teeth and doing your skincare, by the way," says a staff woman with a red cap and a black T-shirt. "If you want to take a shower, know that you're on borrowed time. When you're done, you have an hour to go to the canteen and have breakfast. Don't be late."

When the crew is done giving us instructions, I start grabbing some clothes from the wardrobe next to my bunk bed. A long sleeved white T-shirt, a checkered black and grey skirt, and black tights. I also add my favorite brown boots to the outfit for a touch of extra flair.

Expecting to receive only daunting criticism from anyone but Saesong, I'm surprised when Mari approaches me to compliment my choices. "Nice fit," she merely says, but it's enough to lift my spirit up.

The girl who stays in the same bunk bed as Mari chimes in. "I think I have what it takes to make it... wow!" She opens her bags—she doesn't seem to have finished unpacking yet—from where she picks a denim waistcoat. It's blue and grey with a camo motive. I have a similar one, but pink, at home.

"Try it. I'm sure everyone will love this bold style on you." I take her advice and, when I'm done with the basic stuff, get dressed. When she comes back to see me, she claps her hands. "See? I've told you. It's perfect on you!"

Saesong, who opts for a total pink look—starting from her shirt with a V collar to her gingham skirt and combat boots, jumps in. "Oh, you look amazing! Now, I'm sure there'll be lots of boys lining up just for you."

"Saesong, you're always thinking of men. Come on! You know there won't be any in this competition—apart from Park Seungsik, that skank."

"Saeha! Keep it down! The staff could be filming us at any time."

The playful banter between Saesong and Saeha is interrupted by the speaker blaring in the room. "One minute left! After that, you'll have to come to the canteen with what you have on." It's good that I've finished changing, then. I notice one girl making beds, while another one frantically tries to put on a necklace with four lines of pearls.

Saesong calls her out. "Leave it be! There's no more time!"

"No way! Help me instead of complaining." Since Saesong won't pay her attention, Mari caves and helps that girl to put on her necklace. The thirty minutes are now over, so we turn the light of the dorm off, line up, close the door and head to the canteen.

During breakfast, my mind goes to what could potentially be our first challenge. I hope it isn't anything too extreme. Personally, I'd love it to involve a performance. I want to put my years of practice into use and prove I have what it takes to make my dream come true.

One of the two girls who mocked me yesterday sits opposite me. She studies my every move and expression, making me uncomfortable. Since this is a competition, I do the same. Maybe she has a weakness no-one is aware of, and I want to be possibly the first one to find out.

My gaze turns to her choker with studs. "Cool. Where did you buy it?"

"None of your business." She might not be in the mood for talking, but I am.

So, I insist. "It suits you. It goes well with your... goth punk style, I think."

"You know nothing about fashion, do you?"

"Well, I-"

She interrupts me. "Then, why are we talking? It's like dead air."

"So what?"

"Leave me alone, okay?"

I retort. "I don't think it's possible. We share spaces, we're competitors, and we'll cross paths. You won't be able to ignore me all the time."

"I can, actually, if you have the decency to shut up for once. Your soup is getting cold."

I snap, aggravated by her arrogance. "I don't mind. I also like it cold. By the way, stop lying to yourself. You don't like me, and I don't like you either. However, this is a show and we can't cause trouble, okay?"

"You said it right before, we're competitors. Not friends. You think that, just because you managed to brownnose those three losers, you can do the same with me."

Saesong and Saeha take offense at her words. In particular, the former lashes out at her. "Boyeon unnie, stop it! No-one brownnosed me or Saeha. How dare you throw such an accusation, as if Saesom unnie were a manipulator?"

Saeha adds, "Yeah. You don't know her, or us at all. Apologize to her, or you'll be in deep trouble."

Boyeon turns to me and sneers. "Huh, so your little friends are already bailing you out, I see. The problem is, you barely have any following. Mine is bigger. Watch your mouth, sweetie."

I ignore her and finish my soup. Then, I turn to Saeha. "She will never apologize to me. She's too proud to admit her ways are wrong."

"Not if her dirty secret would air."

I gasp. "What do you mean?"

"Not now."