fell.

six

V

"You can sleep on the sofa tonight. It's not much but here's a blanket so that you can keep warm."

"Thank you. Thank you so much." I bowed down. I really didn't deserve this. After all I had put them through..

"No, no, it's fine, really." Just before she stopped to enter her room, she added, "Again, I'm so sorry for what happened just now."

I felt my face starting to redden,

"It's fine."

"Well, if you say so. Goodnight then..."

"Oh. I'm V."

"Ahh.. okay. Goodnight V." She smiled.

I greeted her 'goodnight' before I let myself lie back down on the sofa. I lifted my arms to cross them behind the back of my neck and closed my eyes.

Sure, my head felt like it was having the headache of the century. But it was better than ever.

I could have ended up worse. Far worse.

My mind began to wrap itself around countless thoughts: the consequences that might come after.

After my runaway.

What would the others think of me? When will I go back?

Every single person in the agency, especially PD-nim, would give me a hell of a beating - no that's much of an understatement - he would give me a whipping the second I first step back into the main building.

If I went back.

I nearly slapped myself for even coming up with the thought of that. Staying here with these two ladies may have caused them more than enough trouble. To think that I was even considering to stay here with them and increase their burden to bear.

Anxious thoughts spread my mind like wildfire. Imagine pulling off an all-nighter for thinking - I groaned at the thought.

I tried to focus on something else - the light that seeped in from the road just outside the apartment, the little threads hanging loose from the blanket Haenim got me...

However there was just one thing my mind couldn't help but think about.

The girl. Dalnim.

The one whose tiny hand had given my knee a squeeze during the process of suturing my gash.

The touch itself had shocked me for the briefest of moments, the feeling of pain disappearing momentarily.

No one but Miyeon had ever done this to me.

Slowly, but surely, I started to fall asleep.

Taking deep breaths in and out. After finishing another session of practice. I could feel the beads of sweat trickling from the corners of my forehead.

"I need a bath." I said to no one in paticular as I lay down on the cool flooring of the dance studio, shutting my eyes and allowing myself to relax and relish the blast of air conditioner.

"Yeah I agree. P-U."

I turned to face the door. Miyeon was standing there, leaning against the door frame with her killer smile, her fingers pinching the sides of her nose.

I couldn't help but smile back.

"What are you doing here?" I mumbled as she walked towards me. "You know I don't want you eyed by the other trainees here. And, I don't want you eyeing on anyone of them." I crossed my arms.

"You know that won't happen," She sat down. "Unless..." She paused for awhile, as if -

"Unless there's anyone hotter than Kim Tae Hyung."

She grinned.

I stifled a gasp. "You know you shouldn't joke about that."

"Miyeonnie bianhae." She gave a pout, slowly from behind her, she brought out a hello kitty lunch box.

I didn't have to ask because I already know what'd be inside.

"You made onigiri?"

"Yeah, I figured you'd be exhausted from all the practices so I made these." She handed the box to me.

My stomach gurgled in excitement. Followed shortly after my face reddening in embarassment.

"It's okay, go ahead." She laughed.

My hands found their way to open the lid and reached in to grab whatever they landed on first.

The first one I stuffed into my mouth was a flavour explosion. It was almost as if I'd forgotten how good Miyeon's onigiris were.

The one that I often bought from 7/11 might as well be considered as junk.

"Mmmhh.. Miyeon.."

"Yeah?"

I contemplated a while before continuing.

"Should I quit being a trainee?"

There was a moment of silence.

"Well.." She started. "You've already made it this far.."

"But it's so hard. The trainings everyday, so many trainees to compete with..."

Suddenly it felt like I was lifting a burden off my chest. I had been dying for the chance to talk about this to someone. Anyone. But every trainee I knew was clouded in the their own realm of determination, no matter how difficult the process.

I just felt like giving up.

"Miyeon," I continued. "I don't think I even stand a chance. I shouldn't have agreed to join the agency in the first place."

"Don't say that.." Her hand had reached out to me, giving me her small reassuring squeeze. "You've been working so hard. I believe the managers and staff see something in you. Plus, many people have so much faith in you." She stopped for a second, before continuing,

"I believe in you."

For a second, the piece of onigiri that I had been munching on seemed to loose all its taste.

"Th.. Thank you." I barely managed to stutter out.

Before I knew it, her tiny arms had wrapped around me. I found my own arms returning the same gesture as well.

"Don't mention it." She gave a little pat on the back.

"The boy is always supposed to hug the girl first.." I quietly mumbled.

"Well, too bad." She stuck her tongue out.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Heyyy look another chappie

I hope you'll enjoy it :>>
I'm sorry it took so long to update (once again) but I'm working on it <( ㅜ ㅇ ㅜ )/