Can't Let You Go

Kai Joong pulled his backpack over his right shoulder as he shoved his left hand in his pocket looking bored out of his mind. Everything seemed to be pretty normal for the most part. Go to class, go to dance practice, go home, eat, sleep, and repeat. His chain earring dangled from his left ear as the hard wind gusts came through the buildings. This man was two things, smart and beautiful, but he never really did notice the girls crowded around a trash can watching him walk between classes.

“You have your orders, ladies. Make sure that man is scouted properly.” The three girls nodded and split up into different locations they had searched. One went to his next class, one went to his apartment building’s front door, the other went to the usual location where he would eat.

Kai sat down sighing as he flicked a pencil between his fingers trying not to fall asleep the moment he sat down. That’s when something caught his eye, well someone. Joshua Yoon came in laughing with a girl standing next to him. Kai glared at the girl as Joshua sat down with her. Joshua was dressed in layers almost resembling that of Korean street fashion. Joshua was the only one who could make Kai look like a begging puppy, and have him act like a bumbling idiot.

“Everyone sit down. We need to start the class.” Kai sat his head on his arms and sighed as the teacher droned on. He fell asleep after five minutes not knowing the pair of hazel eyes burning into his back.

After class, Kai woke up fairly quickly to see someone standing in front of him. It took a few seconds for him to realize that it was Joshua. Kai flinched back realizing it was Joshua. Joshua was giving him a sly smirk as he pushed back his bleached blonde hair out of his eyes. His multiple ear piercings shined and clanged against each other in the morning light. “Morning, Joong or should I say afternoon?” Kai chuckled and pulled himself up and looked behind Joshua to see a flash of red hair. It was the same girl. “Come on, Erin and I are going to get some lunch. Do you want to join us?”

“No, but. . .” Kai smirked trying to seem taller. He came to stand next to Joshua and leaned down to meet the 5’8 boy’s ear and whispered. “I expect to see you at 4pm. Don’t be late, Yoon.” Joshua felt goosebumps go down his neck as Kai brushed past Erin. He left with a smirk on his face hearing the stuff Erin was screaming in the background.

Erin’s voice could be heard past the door to the classroom as she sighed. “Dear god the sexual tension in the air is so strong.” Kai heard from the door. He sighed and walked off not wanting to hear the rest. A girl with bleached light orange hair stood in front of a door a few doors down. She had a tan plaid skirt on with dark brown boots, an off white sweater blouse, and a dark brown beret on. She pushed her glasses up as they shined. She quickly walked over to the tall 6’2 boy. It almost looked like she was chasing after his long wavy black hair as he walked so fast.

When she finally caught up to him, she was panting out of exhaustion. “Excuse me!” Kai didn’t turn around, so she took matters into her own hands and placed her hand on his arm. He jumped and yanked his arm away as he looked wide eyed at the culprit. “Sorry. You weren’t turning around. Hello, my name is Jihyo Hong.”

Kai finally came back down from shock-ville and rapidly put on his poker face. “I don’t care. Don’t sneak up on people like that. It’s fucking rude.” He turned around, but Jihyo was not giving up.

“Please sir! I would just like you to consider this opportunity!” Kai turned around at that. An opportunity to get away from this life? Huh. Kai turned around, shoved his hands in his pockets, and glared at the woman.

“You’ve got five minutes.”

“Good. Okay, my name is Jihyo Hong. I’m from South Korea and I work with SA Entertainment. We would like to consider you for the next audition process that is happening in December for you to be a dancer and possible singer of one of our next groups.” Jihyo pulled out a card from her purse and held it out to him. It had her contact info and the company logo on it. Kai looked at it briefly before shoving it in his pocket.

“I’ll consider it.” Jihyo looked at him in excitement as he took his long strides across the courtyard and back to his apartment. On the way there, he stuffed it into the depths of his backpack. He could never leave America at this point in his life. On his way back, a girl with a short bob cut stood against a pillar next to the front door.

Her hair was dyed a light gray. She wore maroon colored combat boots, skin tight leather pants, and a tank top that read Jay Park on it. She pushed herself off of the door as she saw the familiar tall man with long wavy hair come her way. Her many necklaces and bracelets chimed as they made contact with each other as she blocked Kai’s way of getting into his apartment complex.

“Hey, pretty boy!” Kai looked up from his phone and pulled his earphone out looking at the girl in front of his door confused as all hell. “Yes, you. Wanna join an entertainment industry?” Kai shook his head as he tried to pass by the 5’4 girl. She wasn’t backing down though. “You might want to take this offer up, kid.”

“What if I’ve already been offered it?” She didn’t seem phased and shoved her card into his chest. Kai wanted to run. This girl reminded him of someone. . .

“You should consider it.” The girl walked away. Kai pulled the card to his eyeline and read the name Hikari Im. He sighed and shoved it in his backpack as well and walked into the building greeting the landlord before making his way up to the fourth floor. Room 412.

Kai opened the door and was greeted by his dog, Hobi. He didn’t name the dog. It was named that by the previous owner. . .is what he tells everyone. The black lab came over and started licking all over Kai’s legs as he greeted him. “Hey Hobi. You won’t believe what happened, boy. Come on, let’s go for a walk. The dog was jumping for joy. Kai barely got his backpack in his desk chair by the time Hobi came over with his leash. “Might as well go get lunch while I’m at it.” Kai got the poop bags and quickly left as Hobi almost pulled him out of the building.

“Whoa! Slow down, baby. We’ll be there soon.” Kai smiled at Hobi as the lab’s tail wagged at some high speeds.

Hobi knew exactly where to go. The cafeteria wasn’t that far from where Kai lived and thankfully no one has asked about where he lives. Hobi came inside the lobby and sat down as Kai gave him a treat to wait there and snack on.

Kai entered and was greeted by a third girl. This one had a half yellow and half plaid button up on and a white t-shirt on under that. She had on black jean shorts on and white converse. Her long black hair was pulled into a braid and she was eating a bag of chips. “Kai Joong?”

“Not again.” Kai sighed and turned around to look the girl dead in the eyes. “Yes?” Kai asked, putting on his best customer service voice. He pushed his hands back into his pockets trying to look anywhere but her.

“I’m pretty sure you’ve already met the other two.” Kai nodded, crossing his arms as he started to sway a little. He quickly stopped as this woman looked in his direction. “Then you probably already know the shtick. My name is Yoona Kim. Here’s the card. You don’t need to follow this, but know that we are looking at you right now if you wish to join. Many more companies will be coming your way. Good luck in the long hall.” Kai nodded and took the card. Yoona seemed like she just was not in for this.

“Thank you for not shoving this down my throat.”

“That’s why I’m the last one that most people find.” Yoona held out her hand and shook Kai’s before walking out of the building. Kai looked at the SA logo.

The shining silver holographic paper was simple but nice. He shoved it into his pocket and bought a sandwich and some soup before going back outside to get Hobi.

What he didn’t see was Joshua almost getting shoved into him by a certain redhead. “O-Oh, uh, h-hi Kai.”