“It’s about time you got here,” she says. “Come on. Let’s start.”

I drop my bag on the floor, frowning. “Where’s Jaehyun? And all the other trainers?”

“Getting massages and soaking in the hydro tubs at the luxury jimjilbang down the block,” Mina says. When I raise my eyebrows, she waves a dismissive hand in the air. “I thought we could use some time to practice alone, so I had my dad send them a present for being ‘such great support to his little girl.’ They totally ate it up.”

“But… why?” I don’t even try to hide the suspicion in my voice. I take one step back toward the door. “I don’t understand.”

Mina sighs. “You’re really going to make this difficult, aren’t you? Listen. We both know you’re struggling with some of the dance moves. And I haven’t had the easiest time with certain parts of the song. So I had this idea.” She crosses the room so we’re standing face-to-face. I keep one hand on the doorknob in case she tries to pull something nasty, but when she speaks, her voice is earnest and even a little excited. “I was thinking, why don’t we switch up some of our parts? Like, you can sing the verse that I’m struggling with and I’ll dance the lead in the section you’re struggling with. Everybody wins.”

“Um, yeah, everybody but the trainers and execs who’ll be pissed out of their minds when we go against their decision,” I say. “Come on, Mina, you really think I’m going to let you trap me in such an obvious trick? You drugged me. You tried to ruin my audition. And you sent a video of the whole thing to my mother?! We both know I can’t prove it, but you can’t tell me you think I’m naive enough to do this. For all I know, I’ll go along with it and then you’ll tell the execs that I drugged you and forced you to dance my part. So just… leave me alone.”

She rolls her eyes to the ceiling, but I see her cheeks go a little pink. “Okay, I did all that. Fine. You’re right. I’m not going to apologize for it—”

I blow out a breath. “Big shock.”

“But I promise I’m not trying to trick you now. I know everyone might be mad at first, but they’ll see it’s for the best when they watch our rehearsal. We’ve been training so fucking hard. Why can’t we make one small change so that we can both play to our strengths?”

She has a point.

“Please.” Mina clasps her hands together. “Can we at least try this?”

I hesitate. I notice for the first time how tired she looks. The usual gleam in her eyes has been replaced by dark, puffy eye bags and she keeps massaging her shoulders like they ache as much as I know mine do. She looks… like me. Determined but exhausted. I guess I’m not the only one on this wild training schedule. Everything I’ve been doing, she’s been doing too.

“Okay,” I say slowly. “Fine. We can try it out—but just for this practice. Then we’ll see.”

Mina lets out a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing. “Okay. Great. Come on, let’s start with the dance move you’re having trouble with. I’ve been watching you in practice and I think I know what the problem is.…”

* * *

There was a time when I loved Sundays—when Sundays meant sleeping in and watching cartoons with Leah all day. But this Sunday came too soon, and between the hours of homework I had to cram in and the extra hours of practice with Mina, I’m exhausted by the time the dress rehearsal starts that afternoon. Exhausted and also nervous—because the changes Mina and I made… they’re really good. At least, I think they’re good. The question is, will the execs love them, or will they murder us?

I peek from the wings of the stage, into the auditorium where all the trainees, trainers, and execs are sitting, waiting for Jason, Mina, and me to perform. I spot Mr. Noh in his silvery pinstripe suit and shiny black loafers talking animatedly with a man sitting next to him. Mr. Choo. Even without having spent the last few weeks staring at her face for several hours a day, it’s easy to see how much Mina takes after her father. They both have the same wide forehead and sharp facial features.

“You ready?” Mina appears beside me. Her dress is a shocking neon pink, cinched in the middle with a bedazzled silver corset. A black ribbon choker with diamonds spelling out “Summer” is around her neck. It’s almost identical to the one I’m wearing, which spells out “Heat.”

I nod, clicking the heels of my white suede go-go boots, but my mouth has gone dry. There might not be any cameras here, but a room full of DB trainees and execs is almost as bad. Suddenly, I hear a high, cheerful voice shouting “Rachel!” behind me. I whirl around, and Akari is there, a huge grin on her face. She skips over to me. “It’s all happening! I’m so proud of you! This is just the beginning of everything you’ve been working for—”

“Sorry to break up this little lovefest,” Mina interrupts, stepping in between us, “but Rachel has to go now.” She looks at Akari and gives a little sneer. “Some of us have futures as K-pop stars to worry about… not that you would know.” She glances at me, turning her back on Akari completely. “Jason is about to start the fireworks,” she says, and walks toward her entrance spot on stage right. Akari is still there, staring openmouthed at Mina’s retreating figure, her eyes lighting up with anger. I feel like it’s been weeks since I’ve seen or even talked to Akari, and all I want to do is stay with her and talk shit about Mina, but I hear the opening notes of the song. “I have to go!” I say with an apologetic smile as I run toward my entrance spot. I cast a quick glance back and see Akari’s smile wilt just a bit as she makes her way into the audience.

I shake it off, telling myself there’ll be plenty of time later to catch up with my friend, but suddenly the lights are dimmed and Akari is the furthest thing from my mind as I peer out onto the stage and spy Jason’s silhouette. The entire auditorium is silent, and I fight the nervous urge to chew on my lip. Can’t ruin my makeup now. Then, all at once, the spotlight turns on and the music begins.

Jason spins around, launching into the first verse. He looks so cute in his fitted pinstripe suit and fedora that I have to close my eyes. The audience starts to clap in time to the music. Listening to his voice as it rides the upbeat melody of song, each note like it’s as natural as breathing, feels like coming alive. My nerves seem to melt away, replaced by electricity and anticipation that hums in my veins. I want to go out there and sing with him. Just a few seconds longer…

Just before the second verse hits, the lights dim in the auditorium and Mina and I strut out, on cue. For a moment the audience is completely silent. I can feel their eyes on me. I can hear them thinking I don’t belong here, I don’t belong on this stage. And I freeze. But then the lights come blazing on and the crowd erupts—trainees cheering, a few stamping their feet and whistling, and I smile. I can do this. I catch Yujin’s eye, and she gives me a wink. I hope she’s still talking to me after this performance.…

The verse begins, and I do a choreographed catwalk to Jason, feet slinking in time to the music as I walk across the stage singing my line.