Sliding the practice bag higher up her shoulder Dove squared her shoulders before walking into the green room. Heads turned, watching the small girl walk in. “Serena, good you came. You can put your things here.” The music director said, pulling her aside. “We’re waiting for the voice instructor so you can stretch and warm up with the others.” A group of older guys were huddled off to the side, “She won’t last a day.” One of them huffed as she walked by, “shut up Soonyoung, no one thought you would last either.” Standing and walking towards her the older boy smiled softly, “I’m Cheol. You’re Serena, right?” his gummy smile eased her nerves, she nodded, “Everyone calls me Dove.” She said, “Why?” one of the other boys asked bouncing over, “because I’m small.” She said nervously, “obviously.” The same boy; Soonyoung, muttered, Cheol shot the boy a pointed look, pulling Dove away, “You can ignore Soonyoung, he’s harmless.” She looked back at the two other boys, “They don’t seem harmless.” The boy shrugged, “you get used to it, the teasing. don’t you have siblings?” She shook her head no, “oh, well if you need anything I can be your big brother while you’re here.” He said easily, “Don’t worry Dove it’s not as scary as it seems.” Around that time a loud screeching noise came down the hallway, causing Dove to flinch, “That’s Seokmin, don’t be alarmed. He’s just loud.” Three more boys came barreling into the practice room, “Stop.” Cheol called out, stopping them in their path, “Sorry Hyung.” The tallest boy said, while the other two watched Dove, she stared back at them, the smallest of the two sliding behind his friend, “Who’s this?” “This is Dove.” The oldest said calmly, the smallest boy peaked out, “Hi I’m Chan.” She smiled softly at him, “Hi.” “How old are you?” the tallest asked, she looked at him, “Why?” “Mingyu don’t start this again.” Cheol tried, “Hyung the younger ones need to learn respect.” Dove narrowed her eyes, “And how old are you?” she asked, “We’re fifteen.” The shorter one said bouncing on his toes. “Chans the baby, he’s only thirteen.” He added, “Dove smiled, “I’m also fifteen for your information.” She snipped, “Oh my gosh, we’re triplets!” the shorter one exclaimed pulling her into a hug. “Seokmin-.” Cheol tried, but the small girl was already enveloped between the two boys, patting him gently on the back she pulled back, eyes cutting up to the taller boy, “You’re quite scary you know.” The girl shrugged, “I have to be. People are mean.” The tall boy’s eyes softened, “We won’t be mean.” She glanced over her shoulder to the older boys, “Hyung’s nice, he just acts mean at first.” She narrowed her eyes, “He doesn’t think I’ll make it.” she grumbled out, Seokmin threw his arm around her, “Prove him wrong, he thinks he’s the best one in here.” Just then the vocal instructor entered, “alright let’s start. If someone’s late then they can pay the penalty.” The room quickly moved into place, all the trainees knowing where to go, “Serena, you can come over here to start.” Nodding she moved towards the front, not letting herself acknowledge the stares from everyone. “Just watch the way they warm up.” Nodding she focused on Cheol and what he did, mirroring him until she was confident, she had it correctly. The instructor smiled moving her into the formation. The next few hours spent practicing the shape of her mouth and how certain sounds are supposed to come out. “Alright that’s enough for the day. Serena, you did well for your first lesson.” She gave a faint smile, thanking him before turning to grab her water. Cheol nudged her arm gently, “you did good kid.” She smiled weakly, “does it get less scary?” she asked quietly, “it does, you get used to it, evaluations can be scary but you have talent, they’ll keep you.” Dove clung to that, praying he was right.
Eight months later Dove was staring at herself in the mirror, staying long after the others had left to nail down this routine. Hitting the final step she hissed, “You’re off by a count, you always step in with the wrong foot and it gets you off.” Soonyoung snipped from the doorway, leaning on it casually. “Which step?” she asked, used to him critiquing at this point. Huffing he stepped into the room. “Why are you still here, everyone else left hours ago.” He asked, “I keep missing this count so I’m staying until it’s perfect.” Soonyoung looked at Dove intently before nodding, “Start the track again.” He muttered, dropping his bag next to hers. The music started again, Dove moving through the choreo with ease, Soonyoung standing behind her watching her footwork. Going to step with her right, “Left.” He instructed, causing her to quickly correct the foot. He paused the music, “from the top.” He said pressing play and training his eyes back to her steps. Moving again she matched his instructions, executing the routine with ease. “Oh my god, that was it the whole time?” she gasped, going to grab her water. “Do it again.” He said roughly, she nodded moving back to position. Not letting the man now next to her distract from the routine. They ran through the song three times before he let up, “You did good, you’re moves are almost flawless now.” He said quietly, Dove blinked in surprise, “Thank you Soonyoung.” He gave her a weak smile, “I’m sorry I’ve been so awful to you. You really are talented.” “Why have you been so hard on me?” Dove asked, sipping her water. Soonyoung’s eyes cut to the ground, “I honestly didn’t expect you to stay. But you’ve stuck it out with us. I really hope you stay and we get to debut together.” He looked up smiling at her fully, returning his smile she handed him the water, “I don’t have any plans on leaving.” “I’ll keep helping you when you need me too but you’ve got so much natural talent for dancing.” He admitted walking them towards the stairwell, “really? I’ve always just assumed I’d be vocal based.” Dove said confused, “Don’t get me wrong, you’re going to have a powerhouse of a voice but you move so effortlessly, like water flowing. It’s amazing to watch, you should highlight it.” Soonyoung said excitedly. Opening the door of the company, Dove was surprised to find Seungcheol waiting outside, “Oh good you’re done.” He said pushing off the side of the building, “Why are you still here?” she asked bouncing beside him, “Soonyoungie said you were still here. I’m not letting you guys walk home this late alone.” He said throwing an arm around her shoulders. She glanced back at the other boy walking behind them, grateful for the new friends she had in her life.
