Cold || Cai XuKun

Remember

     Meet me in the practice room at 8, Cai Xu Kun texted. It was seven-fifty, according to my phone. I ran down the corridors, my heart pounding in my ears. What was so important that even someone like Xu Kun felt the need to text me? Surely it wasn't the project, because the last time we practiced ended in a disaster.

      When I reached the door, I felt the old rush of anticipation once my hand touched the knob. I wondered what door I was opening today. What path would I take today? Only one way to find out. I flung the door open. As I expected, he was already there.

     He looked up immediately. I paused for a moment; just stood there, staring.

     "You're early," he commented. I snapped out of my trance.

     "Yeah. I thought it was urgent," I say uncertainly. Cai Xu Kun seems calm. I had been in such a hurry to get here because Cai Xu Kun sent me a text asking me to meet him. And Cai Xu Kun never texted.

     "I...I was thinking about auditioning for something." My eyes lit up in realization.

     "Your dream!" He nods, smiling.

     "You convinced me to take up that path again. So I decided to take a second chance."

     "That's really great!" I exclaimed. "Good luck!" He grinned shyly and lowered his head.

     "I wanted to thank you for making me remember my passion for music."

     "I didn't even do anything!" I snort.

     "You've been supportive. Friendly. Empathetic." He trapped me in his gaze. "I wanted to ask if you could come to the audition with me." My jaw almost touched the floor.

     "R-really? A-are you sure?" I stammered. He nodded, still smiling. I don't think I've ever seen him smile so much.

     "That's so cool!" I finally say. "You'll pass, I'm sure." I pat his shoulder lightly. "Do you know how it's going to work?" He nods.

     "The judges are Yixing, Jackson, MC Jin, Li Ronghao, Kyulkyung, and Chengxiao."

     "Yixing and Jackson are going to be there?"

     "Yeah. They're the ones who asked me to try-out." I smile proudly. In doing this, it was almost like Cai Xu Kun was coming out of his shell. 

     "What happens if you pass?" I wonder aloud. My question hangs in the air for a few seconds before Cai Xu Kun answers.

     "I'll be able to debut. The top nine will debut."

     "You're going to get number one," I say, without doubt. But Cai Xu Kun only shakes his head lightly. 

     "It's up the the judges." He glances out the doorway. "And the judges are terribly strict." I pat his head in exasperation. The effort has me standing on my toes.

     "Don't worry, you'll do fine. Why don't you practice here? I can help." He's come so far, after all.

     "No, it's okay. I want to make sure that when I audition, it's the first time it's heard." I make an 'O' with my mouth. He must still be scarred after his past with his partner.

     "Your friend will be so jealous." Cai Xu Kun looks confused at my statement. "The one that never debuted," I explain. "Seeing you perform so well, with a song you created yourself, and possibly debuting." His mouth twitches.

     "Maybe." His voice is hollow when he replies. But then he looks up with a ferocity in his eyes. "Irene. If anything happens on the day of the audition, if anything happens; remember. I wrote this song. It's my song. Remember me." His voice trembles at the end. Without any context, it sounds like a selfish request. But then I realize; maybe that 'friend' from before will be watching. And maybe, they'll be willing to start a commotion to prevent Cai Xu Kun from getting his chance. That's not happening. My hands curl into fists.

     "I'll remember."                                                                        

A/N:

Short chapter! The next one will be longer~~ 

@Jothekabob thanks man this story would be dead without you

Heyo I can't believe Cold is almost at 900 reads! Thanks for the support (as always) and lots of thanks to the readers who have been voting and commenting and overall, have been loyal to the story. You know who you are ;) ♡

✎ I'll try to update this weekend, and maybe increase the number of updates per week.