Thirteen (1/2)

"And I just want to run away...Just want to run away..."  Hyukjae’s POV- New York - Dance Competition

First Prize:$10,000 cash

and a chance to be the next big star

This was my chance. This was what i came here for.

Fresh determination took over my depressive state of mind ever since I came New York and I walked into the entertainment agency to pick up an application form.

Nothing beats the cold hard cash right now. Bills were piling up and there were those medical fees to be paid for my mum’s meds.

‘It’s not going to be easy...' A voice sounded to my left and I turned to find a boy of my age picking up the application form.

He seemed to be talking to himself more.

'Hey, are you taking part too?' I asked, suddenly feeling slight joy when I realised he spoke in Korean.

The boy snapped his gaze up and flicked his gaze up and down at me, as if accessing something 'Yeah I had wanted to. You too?'

I nodded, 'Not easy you say? Why?'

The boy looked at the application form again and sighed.

'You know the prestigious dance academy across the street? The director's son is taking part too.' The boy took one last glance at the application form before placing it back at the desk. Without another word, he turned to leave.

'Wait!' The boy halted and I quickly took the form and ran to him.

I shoved the form at his chest, 'Take it! It's not wrong to dream!'

'Dreams are not for people like us.' He took hold of the form though.

'But we can always try.' I smiled for the first time. Feeling the need to instil some hope to the boy.

He reminded me of Hae suddenly. Always thinking that his dreams were always out of reach just because of his background.

'Don’t feel inferior. I top my dance club back in school. We can do this together. I mean, if you don’t mind.'

He merely shot a weird look at me, 'You? Dance club? You are just skin and bones.'

'And you are not that tall enough to pull off as a dancer but who cares. Come on. We can try together.'

He didn’t answer but he took a long thoughtful look at the form he held.

'I'm Lee Hyukjae! Think about this, this might not be just a simple coincidence; maybe we can do it together, maybe… we are meant to succeed in this. What are the odds? Us both, Koreans? Come on!' I extended a hand to him. This had to work. I had to go back to Hae. I have to succeed.

He studied me quietly beneath his lashes then at my hand.

With a sigh and a slight shook of his head he put his hand in mine.

'Persistent aren't you?' He smiled then, 'I'm Lee Sungmin.'

--- Donghae’s POV- Seoul -

'Hae.'

'Hmm?' I stopped in my tracks as I heard Siwon.

I turned around and met his strange gaze. Tilting my head I asked the question that I had been asking for days, but without a satisfactory answer, 'Is something wrong Wonnie?'

He swallowed visibly and shifted his feet awkwardly, seemingly nervous while I drew near to him.

I put my hands on both his arms, 'What's wrong? You are acting strange.'

He looked away briefly before grabbing my wrist.

'I think we should best bring this conversation to your room.'

I let him lead me up the stairs and into my room.