The next morning all three of us are bustling around the dorm early in the morning due to our busy schedule. We finally finish getting ready and head to the van which our Manager is waiting for us in.
We reach the festival gate and I hear yawns beside me as Hawon and Seungwon begin to wake up.
"Wake up boys!" I say leaving the van
I exit the van first and Hawon and Seungwon follow behind me. I walk off a little to the side and wait for our Managers directions to find the back of the stage.
"Seungwon!"
"Hey!"
I turn around to see Seungwon and Jisung, a member of Stray Kids, greeting each other fondly.
Jisung - Stray Kids
They met at another show and being the same age hit off very well. I realize that if Jisung is here then this must be the schedule that Minho has as well. We both had the same reason on missing out on todays Dance Class I realize. I find myself looking for the other members but don't see anyone. Reporters soon begin to fill the parking lot. At that moment our Manager comes and leads us through a closed hallway to backstage where we begin rehearsing for our stage. I feel a hard stare on my back but don't see anyone staring at me in the dark and crowded place.
A few minutes later I feel a lighter stare and I turn around to meet the eyes of someone. Bangchan, the leader of Stray Kids, is standing in front of me with a smile on his face.
"Hi!" He greets me with a kind but shy smile
I bow in respect and greet him back confused
"I came because I heard that you and Minho needed place for Dance Practice tomorrow since the other studio is closed. Would it be okay with you to come to our company dance room for practice?"
I nod my head and he says "yes then?"
"Yeh that sounds fine" I reply verbally
"Okay" He agrees smiling "Good Luck with your performance today!"
Our Manager comes and tells us that we are up first to perform. We get our mics ready and Hawon and Seungwon make sure their instruments are tuned properly and attached to the speakers. I meet Minho's eyes right before I walk onto stage and I see him wave and raise his fist in encouragement. I wave a small wave back at him before stepping onto the open stage. The weather is nice and refreshing for a festival as we can perform and the fans can enjoy without melting.
The fans begin screaming as soon as we come into view and the cameras begin rolling for live broadcast to news channels. Many reporters are also in the front seats with cameras and pencils making me curious if they are always ready to write down any mistake we make the second we make one.
The music begins as I begin with the vocals. I had drank honey tea right before to make sure that I could to hit the proper notes, and I'm happy I did as this songs has a very high pitch. I completely blur out everything around me as I enjoy the stage along with the fans right in front of us. Spreading our wings like birds on the stage is how we enrapture the fans not only with the music but with our personalities as well. The song slowly comes to an end and we talk for a few minutes answering fan questions and then leave the stage thanking everyone for coming.
As we exit the stage I see Minho had moved over closer to the monitoring screen but is looking the other way now. I have a feeling that he had been watching us perform the whole time.
Our Manager comes and tells us that we can leave now and I look around to find Hawon and Seungwon. Hawon is right next to me but Seungwon is nowhere to be found. Hawon and I look around the dark room for a minute before we see him standing a few meters ahead next to Jisung again. Hawon walks to him and in a few seconds beckons me to join them. I walk over slowly and stand next to Hawon.
"I wanna stay and watch them perform? Can we?" asks Seungwon with pouting his lips
I glance at Hawon and he nods his head gently.
"Sure" I answer and Seungwon and Jisung high five eachother
"I'm gonna go get ready now!" Jisung tells Seungwon and runs off to the rest of his members
(Minho day of College Festival)
The three of us move to the opening in the curtain to watch their performance live from the side instead of the monitor screen. I watch from the corner of my eye as I don't want them to feel burdened. The same cheering starts as they take the stage. I watch as they take their positions and the music begins playing. They begin by moving slowly to the music and then faster as the bpm increases. I recognize the song as "Easy" which was made by some of the Stray Kids members themselves.
As the song continues I find myself falling into a trance with the music. Minho takes the center position and slides smoothly into the middle of the stage. He reminds me of someone I know but have forgotten. My old self. The passionate girl I used to be comes out whenever I'm around him for some reason. Gently I tap my feet to the music and see Hawon and Seungwon enjoying themselves as well.
This must be the affect Stray Kids leaves on everyone.