JUDE
"Yes. Failing was not an option for me then and it's not now. Goals change but to have a set line, a path that you have chosen and that you will commit to every single day of your waking hour helps.
"Being on the stage is my path. A performer, not limited to small goals but as a life purpose."
He looks at me, eyes shining and a smile on his lips. "I see a younger version of myself in you. This is a wonderful, magical world but it is also empty, cruel, and dark. It all depends on the perception.
"But I know a star when I see one. Your whole group is already making waves and you haven't even debuted yet. Everyone is curious about you. A strong group with no black holes like yours is set for glory."
A compliment like this coming from the legendary Teri, the leader of one of the four groups making waves worldwide is a very big deal. "We can only hope to be like you when we debut."
"You will be more than us," his fond smile unravels something inside me. "I hope you surpass us because there is no set limit for stars. You find your sky to shine on, no limit to how great you can be."
"Well, I hope I am not interrupting something."
A guy with long wavy hair, wearing dark makeup and looking like the second coolest person I have ever laid my eyes on is standing before us, looking at Teri tensely.
He does look familiar. Not familiar as in he is the guy who has been speaking to Miko most of the night but familiar as if I have seen his features on someone else.
"Kai, yes. You are interrupting a very important conversation," Teri rolls his eyes and looks bored.
"You are supposed to talk to Mr. Sung before he leaves?" Kai doesn't even look surprised by Teri's attitude.
"He can fend for himself, as you can see I am entertaining our younger brothers. This is more important."
"Oh, it's okay," I look Teri with wide eyes. "I shouldn't keep you."
"You arent," kai looks almost sorry for me. "He is using you as an excuse not to do his duties."
"Aren't you supposed to mind your business and join your group and not mind my business?" Teri cocks his head to the side shooting Kai a look.
I start getting up but he pulls me back down and I swallow, wondering how I got in between what feels like a lover's quarrel.
"Well, I would you see. But we are under the same company and I happened to be around when the guy asked if he could see you before he left," kai crosses his arms, his tattooed muscles flexing. "The poor guy is running around looking for you."
Teri sighs and then stands up. "Fine. Thanks a lot for ruining my night." he turns around and points a finger at me. "Move and I will haunt you."
"o-okay."
"You can rejoin your friends, don't let his threat make you sit here like a scared child."
I see rex and Andre talking nearby. Bowing slightly in respect, I make my way to my friends not looking back even if I can feel kai's gaze on my back.
"Dude, I thought I wouldn't see you the whole night," Rex claps my back chuckling. "Teri is fond of you it seems."
My cheeks heat up. "He is a really cool guy."
"Well, now that you came back to the commoners, let's have some real fun. Why are your hands empty?"
Andre hands me a glass, both of them looking at me expectantly.
"Guys, I can't. I have had three glasses already."
Rex doesn't miss a beat. "And we don't have anything to do tomorrow. Do you know that our diets and any kind of fun from now until we debut will be strict? This is the only night man."
I can't argue with that.
We are all above age, legal to attend these kinds of parties anyway so I don't see why I shouldn't let lose even if it's for a day.
"You are very different from what I expected," I am laughing and having the best time of my life. Sure, I think I am seeing two Andre's and even more of rex but I am so gone to even think about it.
"I told you!" Rex shouts so loudly even though we are the only ones on the terrace of the penthouse overlooking the beautiful night skyline of the city.
The city is everything I imagined. So beautiful during the day and more enchanting at night.
"Everyone who meets Andre the first time thinks he is a dork but once he removes his shirt and you get to see all those pecs and abs," Rex whistles. "You start to wonder."
"I would appreciate it if you stopped talking about my body now," andre pushes rex back in his chair. He tries to pike his forehead but misses which only leads us to a round of breathless laughter.
"I was wondering where the noise was coming from."
Someone is standing infront of us. miko? But they are two and they don't look so impressed with us.
"Miko my guy!" Rex stands up and pulls Miko in a hug. "I knew you would find me."
"You are-"Miko stops himself, pinching the bridge of his nose, and detaches himself from Rex. "We need to get you all home. The party is over."
"But it's still on in there," Andre pouts, pointing inside the penthouse.
"For you. It's over for the three of you."
"I didn't mean," I start to get up only to realize I can't really stand up straight. "I didn't mean to get overexcited."
"You are not in trouble," he comes to me, helping me up. I have to lean on him to keep upright. He fishes his phone from his pocket and texts something before sliding it back in his pocket and looking at me.
"What?"
I have been staring. "Nothing. I just think what Andre said earlier is true."
He looks amused. "And what did Andre say?"
"That you are the most responsible of the group. I think it's true."
"I said that and couldn't come up with that even in his brightest moments," Rex raises his hand from his seat.
"Hey!" Andre shoves him again and they end up in a shoving match which doesn't really go anywhere because they are both seated and a laughing bunch.
"Okay, those two are so drunk," I snort.
"So are you."
"Me?" I shake my head. "No way. I am not."
His breath tickles my face when he chuckles. "Really now?"
"Yeah. I can prove it to you if you want," I start to get away from him almost falling face first on the glass table infront of me.
"Yeah I think you have proved enough for tonight." he crouches down and looks back at me. "Get on, let's take you home."