"Soojin-ah!"

My heart warmed as I watched the young girl skip towards my direction.

"Jungwonnie~ how are you?" she spoke sounding unintentionally adorable.

"I'm good! Are you ready for your practice with us today?" I asked smiling at her.

The girl scrunched her nose cutely as she looked to the ground.

"To be honest, I'm a really nervous..." she spoke quietly.

I chuckled at her words as I reached to pat her head.

"Aw don't be nervous. We'll take good care of you!" I reassured stroking her head gently.

The girl smiled weakly and muttered a quiet 'thank you', before bidding her goodbye and heading into the practice room.

Poor Soojin.

It must be hard being in her situation.

Hopefully Jake and Heesung can keep their cool and not make things worse for her...

I let out a loud exhale before following after the girl and entering the practice room.

•••

"There she is!" announced Sunoo dramatically as I entered the room.

I scoffed at him as the other members turned around to face me.

"Soojinnnnn-ah I missed you!" cried Niki as he ran up to me and engulfed me into a hug.

I returned his hug and soon the other boys followed to greet me.

"Ah my favourite trainee is back." spoke Jay as he approached me and ruffled my hair.

"Hey actually she's MY favourite." growled Sunoo as he snatched me out of Niki's arms.

"You little-"

The three boys erupted into a quarrel as I laughed and subtly pulled myself away from them.

I looked around the room and caught the sight of one boy standing alone in the corner.

His face was dull and swollen as he sucked himself into the void of his phone.

Holy crap is he okay???

Heavily concerned for the boy, I quickly rushed over to him.

"Heesung oppa! What's wrong?" I asked lifting his head up to meet his gaze.

My heart sank as his face revealed his red puffy eyes and saddened expression. I felt myself almost gasp as I quickly wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Heesung...talk to me..." I cooed into his ear, stroking his back softly.

There was nothing but silence for a few minutes before I felt the boy's breath hitch.

"Soojin-ah...I'm so sorry." he sobbed quietly into my shoulder.

Feeling my heart break into pieces, I pulled myself closer to the boy. Despite the mixed feelings I've had lately, I can't stand seeing the boy in pain.

"Why are you sorry? Don't be like this." I spoke feeling my eyes water.

The crying boy pulled himself out of my embrace and lifted his head to make eye contact with me.

"Soojin, I need to tell you somethi-" The boy was cut off when there was a sudden loud yell.

"Oi Soojin, Heesung! Jake and Sunghoon are here, we can start now." called Jungwon, gesturing for us to gather with the rest.

I turned my attention back to the boy in front of me as I watched him sigh in defeat.

"What let me talk to Heesung first-"

"No it's okay, I'll talk to you after."

"But you're-"

I was cut off when the boy let go of my hold and proceeded to walk over to the others.

I watched as he blankly sat next to Niki and slouched his shoulders.

At the corner of my eye I noticed Jake eyeing the boy intently, also visibly in a strange mood.

What's going on?

Did I miss something?

Trying my best to brush my invading thoughts aside, I finally walked over to join the boys.

This is going to be one interesting practice session.

•••

Feeling defeated, I mentally punched myself for how my emotions were treating me. Despite how much I try to supress my feelings for Soojin, I can't.

Seeing her hugging Heesung in the corner made my blood boil more than I thought it would. But surprisingly, some part of me feels bad for Heesung. I'm starting to see how much he really likes her... and how much that's killing him...

"Jakey boy?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to face Jay who was waving his hand around my face.

"Yeah?" I replied immediately.

"I asked if you wanted to be in charge of evaluating Soojin's vocals." Jay restated.

I glanced over to the girl and watched as she shyly looked to the ground.

I think my heart just did a backflip.

Without wasting another second I quickly answered the older boy.

"Sure, hyung."

The boy smiled and nodded accordingly.

"Great! So that leaves us with one more role..." he spoke as he scribbled his pen onto his notebook. He scanned the members before falling his attention onto the boy that had not been picked.

"Ah yes Heesung hyung! You'll be in charge of giving Soojin advice on how carry herself during interviews."

I turned to face the boy mentioned as he nodded his head monotonously. I watched as he avoided the gaze of the others and stared at the ground.

I wonder where his mind is at.

"Alright kids let's begin shall we? Soojin, go follow Niki and Sunoo to room 5 to work on your dance and facial expressions."

•••

"Okay! You ready Noona?" I asked the girl as I took my place next to Sunoo on the floor.

"Yep!" she chimed, walking to the middle of the room.

"What will you be performing for us today?" questioned Sunoo as he passed me a clipboard and pen.

"I'll be dancing to Halsey's 'Without me'."

I pointed the remote to the speaker and watched as the Soojin began to feel the music.

As my eyes followed every move she took, I felt my jaw fall to my knees.

Holy crap... she's really good.

Her choreo was fully in sync with the music and her body line accented each movement perfectly.

How is this girl only sixteen?

The chorus soon came to a close as she successfully finished her choreo. Instantly, Sunoo and I erupted in applause.

"Soojin oh my God. That was amazing!" Sunoo complimented completely awestruck.

"You've improved so much since I-LAND I'm actually speechless-"

The girl blushed at Sunoo's words as she bowed continuously.

"Yeah he's right. That was incredible Soojin! You perfectly became one with the music and your moves were so clean." I praised as the girl hid her face in embarassment.

"Thanks guys!" she cheered puffing heavily.

Sunoo gestured for her to come sit with us and I tossed her a water bottle I had prepared for her.

Within seconds, she ripped off the lid of the bottle and poured it down her mouth. My teenage mind suddenly switched to immature thoughts as my eyes followed her glistening neck gulp down the water.

With one hand pouring water into her mouth, the other reached for her ponytail and pulled out the hairtye. Her luscious locks cascaded down her back flowing freely with the air of the AC.

God damn.

Did Soojin get even prettier?

Keep it together Riki.

Still in a trance, I watched as the sexy Noona approached Sunoo and I and sat comfortably between us.

"Okay! So let's go into details of your performance." spoke Sunoo as he read through the pages on his clipboard.

The two began discussing Sunoo's comments as my whipped ass stared intently at Soojin.

I mentally drooled as I watched her comb her fingers through her hair, bringing it to the front of her chest.

Don't look Riki. Don't. Freaking. Look.

Before I gave into my nasty urge, I was saved by the sound of my name being called.

"What about you, Niki? Anything you'd like to add?" Sunoo asked.

The two faced me, curiously waiting for my reply as I swallowed the log in my throat.

"N-not really. It really was flawless, Noona..." I spoke shyly.

The girl giggled as she reached to pat my head.

"Niki! What's gotten into you? You're being extra shy today."

And you're being extra sexy today.

Before I could faint at her physical contact, there was a sudden knock at the door.

"Okay that's enough! Our time with Soojin now!" yelled Jungwon with Jay behind him.

The girl beamed at the two as she removed her hand from my head and got up to greet them.

"Thanks again Sunoo and Niki, I learnt a lot!" she spoke, turning to give us a bow.

We nodded brightly, sending her off to be with the other boys.

As the door closed behind her, I felt my heart resume it's beating.

"What was that man? You were really flustered the last 20 minutes." asked Sunoo with his brow furrowed.

I sprawled myself onto the hard floor and turned to look at him.

"Tell me you didn't almost die from having that private session with just us and Soojin."

I chuckled as I watched the boy break out into a smirk, walking towards the exit.

"I mean, I pretty much did."