CHAPTER 13
Gee and Maya went to the elevator together. They felt a little awkward that made them laugh at each other. They came out laughing when they saw Leo.
Leo: hey what happened? It's the first time I saw you two together this morning.
Gee and Yuna just smiled at each other that puzzled Leo.
Gee: Come on bro lets get going.
They walked together heading to the training building. Leo and Yuna went together to their English training with Ms. Geronimo while Gee went to the piano room.
Gee took out her phone, then she was focusing on the notes. Then she put it on the top note holder. She took a deep breath before she hit the first note. She smiled when she heard it right. She proceeded but keeps on repeating it because she was hitting a wring note in the middle. She took her cellphone back and tapped on the browser. She was so into it she didn't noticed someone was watching her.
Mr. Zhang: So it was you.
Gee startled she accidently throw her phone in the air it almost fell but she was able to catch it. She smiled when she saw it was Mr. Zhang.
Gee: Mr. Zhang, long time no see
Mr. Zhang: (smiling) you didn't told me you can play the piano?
Gee: ah that, I just started playing this when I was in high school, I learned the basic but I stopped, (she tried to smile) I already forgot some notes haha
Mr. Zhang: (he looked at her) why do you want to play it again?
Gee: I was spared from the English training, I thought it would be waste of time if I just do nothing else.
Mr. Zhang: (he smiled then he remembered his conversation with Moru inside his office)
Moru: (sitting on a chair in front of Mr. Zhang's offixe table) The doctor said, learning new skills and keeping her busy with recreational activities will be a big help for her condition and if she remembers something from her past, she can avoid having breakdowns if she's not alone.
Mr. Zhang was looking at Gee who is all eyes on her phone. He took it her phone, put it inside his pocket and sat beside her.
Gee was surprised and was puzzled looking at Mr. Zhang's pocket then she was just staring at him. Then Mr. Zhang started to play the piece she was practicing. She was amazed. After Mr. Zhang played it smoothly he turned to her.
Gee: wow mr. Zhang you were cool at that moment. (she was smiling staring at him)
Mr. Zhang: (smiling) Come to my office after your training, I'll give you some printed sheets and notes for you to study.
Gee: (smiled upon hearing it) thank you mr. Zhang but can I have my phone back?
Mr.Zhang: oh sorry (he took it out from his pocket and gave it to her)
Gee: Thank you Mr. Zhang (she was smiling) thank you for your efforts
Mr. Zhang: (was confused by her sudden mellow sound) ah oh that's nothing. What you are doing right now is not easy though.
Gee: hehe its nothing, im actually enjoying it (she was smiling)
Mr. Zhang: I noticed you are getting close to Yang Yibo and he seems comfortable with you. You already achieved your number one reason why youre here.
Gee: (she smiled widely) haha yeah but I don't know if I should be happy about that, he seems to enjoy bullying me though.
Mr.Zhang: He used to do that to me too during our filming days, he would take embarrassing pictures of me-
Gee: (confused) filming days?
Mr.Zhang: y-yeah whenever Im visiting him (he seems nervous)
Gee: ah oh you were friends with him and Sean right? His friends with Sean Zhang yiur younger brother?
Mr. Zhang: ah yes yes your right he is close with Sean.
Gee: ah I see, oh yeah I've seen some of behind the scenes they seemed to be very close and Yang Yibo was so comfortable with him.
Mr.Zhang: Yeah, some fans would even pair them up. There were lots of videos of them were fans would theorized they are secretly dating and those made up videos showing Yibo would get jealous if someone get close to m-Sean and the likes. They even made this video where Yibo was protecting him like he was his guardian or something though Yibo seems to be really too concerned about him, its just the way he is. He would be protective of his closest friend.
Gee: oh yeah, I think saw that too. Those videos of him trying to avoid being touched by others I thought those fans making them were awesome though hahaha coming up with those it looks convincing. But they weren't rumored about dating or something with girls? are they? Are they gays?
Mr. Zhang: Hahahaha no of course not! Yibo just have no time for it right now same with Sean. They are busy with their careers and as you said it's the price idols like them have to right?
Gee: yeah, but I hope they would find someone whom they can spend their life with specially senior Yibo, I want him to be happy and be with someone who can make him happy too. (she smiled)
Mr.Zhang: (was puzzled) you're his fan right? Aren't you wishing it would be you? You had the advantage already?
Gee: (she looked at him with confused expression) I'm a fan and I really want to be friends with him but I know the difference of reality and fantasy though. Do you think all fans are like that? Wishing they would be end up with their idol or something? There are still those who wishes for their idol's happiness without confussing reality from daydreams haha and im already satisfied and happy I get a chance to meet him in person and hopefully we could really be friends but I hope he would stop from bullying me.
Mr.Zhang: (puzzled but he laughed at himself) why are you like that? (he was smiling he couldn't believe he would meet someone like her)
Gee: what do you mean Mr. Zhang?
Mr.Zhang: aren't you hoping he would fall for you? Or what if he fell in love with you?
Gee: (shocked but burst to laughter) HAHAHAHAHAHA your funny Mr. Zhang. Why would he be? Are you saying he would be gay for me???
Mr.Zhang: No, of course not, what if he would discovered your true identity and he was already falling in love with you?
Gee: what? Hahahahaha are we in a romantic drama or something?
Mr.Zhang: im just saying what if
Gee: I don't think its possible Mr.Zhang,senior Yibo, and senior Yibo deserves someone way better and its not me.
Mr. Zhang: don't you like him?
Gee: I like him (she smiled), I really like him I want to be friends with him.
Mr. Zhang: (he sighed) maybe your already in love with someone?
Gee's smiled then she focus her attention to the piano then suddenly her smile was erased when she remembered some thing.
Gee was running her way to the gate excitedly but it vanished when she saw Jake was laughing with a girl while they are standing at near the gate. It was the girl from her class. She was holding her backpack while watching the two having fun chatting. She couldn't understand but there was like something piercing to her chest she seem like she couldn't breathe. She couldn't decide if she will go to them or she will just ignore them but Jake noticed her and waved at her smiling. She smiled back but she felt weird. She was hesitating but she went to them, Jake put hia arms to her shoulder and they started to walk The pain in her chest wouldn't go away while she was staring at Jake having a good laugh with the girl.
She was holding her chest when Mr.Zhang noticed it and he got worried.
Mr.Zhang: he are you okey? (he was holding her on her shoulder he was observing her)
Gee: (seemed to woke up) oh yes mr. Zhang, I just suddenly felt something weird haha (she was trying to laugh it off)
Mr.Zhang: are you sure?
Gee: yes Mr.Zhang haha I just remembered someone
Mr. Zhang: who?
Gee: hm its no one, not that important (she smiled and put her hands on the piano)
Mr.Zhang: did you remembered someone who rejected you or something?
Gee: (she was surprised but continued to play the piano but she hit the wrong note)
Mr.Zhang: ha im right, what about Mr. Moru? Do you like him?
Gee: (looked at him and smiled) I love Moru
Mr.Zhang: (was shocked) so its true that you two are-
Gee: im sorry for lying about it Mr.Zhang (she was keeping her laugh) but you said I can't have any relationship during the training right? Or even if I passed for my debut? So I guess I have forget about it.
Mr.Zhang: why you? Do you?
Gee couldn't help it anymore so she burst to laugh and was holding her stomach.
Mr.Zhang was confused looking at her.
Gee: Mr.Zhang, Moru is a special person to me but having a relationship with him is out of the picture. He has become my brother and my mother when he took me in and eversince childhood we are really close, but now that I think about it why not? But im juat curious? Why are we talking about it now? I didn't know your interested with stuff about love.
Mr.Zhang: well im just interested what if Yibo has finally found someone he would like but it seems you already like someone else and I might help you two keep it from everyone though.
Gee: huh? You have a habit of keeping secrets Mr.Zhang? Aren't you satisfied with the secret we lready have?
Mr.Zhang: well I thought it would be fun and thrilling too.
Gee: huh? Your kind of weird mr.Zhang
Mr.Zhang: (he shrugged his shoulder and let out a deep breath) come on (he sat proerly) lsiten and watch okey, I'll teach you wihile im here and maybe whenever Im free (he shoved her hand and showed again to her how to play the piece she kept on playing wrong)
Gee: (excited) really????? Wow thank you Mr.Zhang, your kind of weird for finding enjoyment in keeping secrets but your kind (she smiled)
Upon hearing it, he hit a wrong note and turned to look at Gee.
After Gee was able to learn the piece Mr.Zhang was teaching her, Mr.Zhang said his farewell to her because he said he an appointment that morning. When Mr.Zhang was at the door he looked at his wrist watch and he walked hurriedly to the elevator then to his office. He took off his eyewear and he ruined his tidied hair.
After their Chinese language training, its already their vocalization training. Ms. Geronimo was already there and they are currently having their warm up exercise when Sean came in. He was wearing a white polo tucked in his black pants and he was wearing black shoes. Everyone got excited specially the girls. But Gee and Yuna were just looking at him. Sean waved and smiled to everyone. Ms. G asked everyone to settle down then she introduced him.
Ms. G: Mr. Sean Zhang as you all know was Mr. Zhang's younger brother although he was a trainee here before, he went to a an intense training. He trained for 2 years but always ranked top for his vocals and debuted as the lead vocals of their group. Because of his amazing singing voice that im sure you have melted from listening, he has won several music awards from his solo albums. Mr. Zhang asked him to join the training team 1 year ago later than Yang Yibo.
Sean: Goodmorning everyone (he bowed and smiled to everyone) Thank you Ms. Geronimo for that ibtroduction (he turbed to face the trainees then he bowed) I am very sorry I was not here last week. There were lots of events happened and my fligjt back during my schedule here was delayed.
The trainess were saying that it was okey.
Braided girl: its okey senior Sean. We understand.
Sean: (bowed again) thank you everyone (he stood up) so lets get started.
The trainees were all following all what Sean is teaching them. They were practicing the proper breathing while moving. Reaching the notes he was asking Ms. G to play in the piano. After the whole group vocalization.
Sean: For the next part of our training, group yourselves with four members, its better if you could be group with the person you are most comfortable with.
There were some who automatically went for each other. Gee and Leo just nodded to each other and they went to Yuna. They smiled to Yuna and she smiled back. There were two groups who has an excess of one member. When Maya noticed that Gee's group has one missing member she asked her friend if she could go there and they just nodded smiking at her. She was facing down approaching them because she was shy.
Gee: oh hi Maya haha thank yiu for coming in our group.
Maya: (she was blushing when she faced her) t-thank you, I hope I could be of help in your group
Gee: of course let's help each other (she smiled)
Leo and Yuna also gave her a smile. When they finished grouping themselves. There was five groups of four and two groups of five.
Sean: the next thing you will do is to harmonize with your group mates by vocalizing the English vowel "a" You should all end up with a high note in vowel a together. To give you an example (he looked at Ms. Geronimo) I need two volunteers.
The braided girl raised her hand but he didn't noticed because Ms. G whispered something to him. He nodded with a smile then he faced the trainees.
Sean: Where are the two guys who ranks top on your voclization trainings?
Everyone looked at Gee and Leo, Gee was surprised but Leo was confident he grabbed Gee's shoulder and went in front to Sean.
Sean was smiling at Gee with a pride on his face. Gee smiled back to him.
Sean: I will be the last one, Ms. Gee will be third. Then can I hear the two of you?
Gee gestured to Leo to go first then she nodded and ask Leo to do it again then she followed. They were both surprised that they almost go it correct even Sean and Ms. G. Then they do it again for another two trials then Ms. G followed and Sean was last. Then Sean ask them to do it again. After two trials they harmonized well everyone were amazed and they clapped. The braided girl was bitter and she was not clapping.
Gee and Leo were smiling at each other they did a high five. Sean looks very proud looking at Gee.
Then they went back to their group. Yuna was looking ate Gee with amazement in her eyes.
Sean: So everyone we will give you 10 minutes to do it.
Then everyone was doing the activity. Sean and Ms. G were roaming around to the different groups.
Gee asked the two girls to let her hear them. Gee and Leo were listening. Then Gee said that Maya would go first Yuna will be second and Leo's third then she will be the last one. They tried it for five trials they almost sounded good but Maya keeps on making a mistake when they are doing the last part. Gee noticed that Maya was loosing her confidence. Gee tapped her in her shoulder.
Gee: Maya, its okey its not really easy to harmonize in just 10 minutes. (she was smiling) just relax and focus your hearing take a deep breath inhale (she inhales) exhale (she exhale)
Maya took a deep breath.
Then they started again but Maya keeps on making a mistake. She felt sorry. Leo sighed but Yuna was just observing Gee.
Gee: its okey Maya, oh what if you close your eyes, and listen to us first?
Maya looked at her then she followed Gee. They did what Gee asked them, they did it for three times. Then Maya took a deep breath again then she closed her eyes.
After 10 minutes every group were lined up.
Sean: who would like to go first?
Braided girl raised her hand and her group confidently went in front. They started to harmonize but one of her groupmate made a mistake. Sean gestured them to try again but it's the same. Braided girl glared at her group mate and they were down going back to their spot.
Then another group tried but they didn't harmonized. Sean tried to cheer them up by tapping them on their shoulders. Gee was observing Maya because she was nervous so she held her hand.
Gee: Its okey Maya if we harmonized or not, just relax and focus but don't pressure yourself. Its not really that easy to harmonize in just 10 minutes it takes a lot of practice but don't feel bad okey? (she smiked)
Maya smiled and nodded to her. Then Leo and Yuna gave her a smile too. Leo gestured to Gee that Maya's face was all red so Gee let go of her hand and gave her a smile. Leo and Gee looked at each other and they both nodded.
Leo: are you ready?
Gee, Yuna and Maya nodded to each other. Then when the group of boys were finished, Leo raised his hand and Sean smiled at them. They went to the front. Everyone was gazing at them.
Before they start, Gee raised her hand and gave them a signal to take a deep breath for 2 seconds then she looked at Maya. Maya closed her eyes then they started to harmonize. When they finished they were smiling at each other because they felt that they succeed. Maya couldn't believe herself.
Everyone were amazed that they clapped at them even Sean and Ms. Gee but braided girl stood up.
Braided girl: huh, they were just lucky.
Everyone gave her a glare and some boys were shaking their head out of disappointment to her. Yuna and Maya were raising their eyebrows at her but Leo and Gee just shrugged her their shoulder.
Someone from the boys shouted: can you do it again so she can shut her mouth.
Braided girl was shocked and pissed she was about to say something when her groupmates grabbed her hand and put her to sit. She was so pissed about it.
Sean: Can you do it again?
Gee looked at her group and they all nodded. Then they start again and succeeded. They were happy and gave each other high five.
Sean: that was amazing (he clapped then everyone clapped along with him)
Gee's group bowed giving their thanks then they went back to their place. Then another group went next to them. There were three groups who were able to do it almost perfectly. Sean asked them to stand in front. It was a group of all girls, and all boys including their group of two girls and two boys.
Sean: Its really not easy to harmonize for the first time, it takes a lot of practice with someone whom you can get comfortable and confident with but its really amazing of these groups who were just almost two weeks together but managed to do it well.
Ms. G: That is why, we encourage a family bond among your fellow trainees because it will make a big difference in your performance as group.
Sean: (nodded) But let's ask them how did they pull it off with just a limited time so we can learn from them. (he gestured to the group)
Group of boys: Actually senior Sean and Ms. G, we are friends even before we auditioned for the training and we've been practicing together.
Group of girls: We are all roommates and we do harmonization sometimes.
Leo: we just known each other recently, and actually Im not really good with harmonizing with others but Gee bro has good ears and I think he is a good teacher, he was the one guiding us and was able to help bring us together.
Yuna and Maya nodded in agreement. Gee was surprised and was shy covering her face with her black cap. Sean was very happy he looked so proud of her.
Sean: I agree, I was observing the groups and I noticed that too Leo. (je turned to Gee) I'm curious though, what is your secret?
Gee: (shy but she smiled) ah that should be thanks to my experience being in a choir since childhood and the training I had there and with my mother's (she took a deep breath) and since m not in the choir anymore, im still practicing harmonizing through singing together with my favorite idol groups and artists through a music player. Aside from just listening and singing along, Im trying to harmonize with it as if Im singing together with them in actual.
Sean was amazed even the rest of the groups including Leo and Yuna, Maya was just staring at her.
Sean: how long have you been doing it, harmonizing with recorded materials.
Gee: I've been doing it for almost two years.
Boys group: I never knew that it could be possible.
Girls group: yeah, no wonder why your always in the top ranks.
Gee was smiling and bowing thanking them.
Braided girl was envious at her seat.
After the activity they went back to the training. Sean was looking at Gee with a smile looking proud of her.
Their training was done everyone bowed and gave Sean a round of applause for a job well done for the day then was on their way out when some of the trainees approaching Gee and were being friendly to her, they were praising her but braided girl was glaring at her.
When Maya and Gee was on their way to their unit, they saw Mr. Zhang on their doorway waving at them. They were both happy to see them.