This story will get to the heart and soul of music. Music is a way to express oneself to release all their love, sadness, and anger. Music actually saved me in a way. I've been listening to it so often my ears hurt. Not good for when I'm older. But in this story I want to entail the journeys of each character and the tragic past that they will have to overcome. The power of music runs deep for one who is broken…
Yeah, I know, I'm deep. By the way, celebrate today as the last consecutive date you'll ever live to see. Unless science has one day caught up and perfected cryogenic freezing. Find a twelve today and embrace the world you are living in. Embrace yourself just living. I know some feel like they don't belong in this world, but know that it is much bigger than you imagine.
Drown yourself in music if don't believe me.
Music empowers the soul. The soul strengthens the heart. Your heart is a vial for love. Fill it. - Me
Chapter One: Killer Contest
May
It's so warm… the spotlight…
It enveloped me in that single radiant beam, and I'm glowing. I'm shining like a star.
My face actually hurts from smiling as I took in the applauding crowd. Fifty thousand people, all watching me.
Their screams and cheers were so loud that I think I'm going deaf. There was a sharp ringing in my ears. But still I continue to smile.
They were all watching me. They were all here for me. They were all cheering for me.
Me.
This moment here, will last forever. I hardly even noticed the blood streaming down my face, or that it was splattered all over the stage I was on. It was sparkling only a second ago, when I had just finished my song – my song for him. But at least it blended into my dress. It was the same colour.
Several paramedics hauled my numb body onto a gurney. Everything was going quiet. There was this piercing screech in my ear.
My group members tried to shove past the security guards, but they wouldn't let them through. Was it weird I was still smiling? That I was laughing like a maniac?
Oh, well. I'm happy now. I feel free. So whoever was trying to kill me – whoever nearly did, I don't care.
I stared up into the same spotlight that was blinding me before it disappeared. Everything was black, and I felt cold.
I don't hate them…
…
I'm tired of hating…
…
No One
"Here to satisfy your music cravings? I'm your MC, Marian, and this is another episode of Sinnoh M Wave!"
Wild audiences were one of the best people to sing for. The louder they screamed, the more an idol is loved. The cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the studio. Marian was glad. This wasn't Sinnoh's top music show for nothing.
"Tonight we're here to announce that the brand new season of Superstar S will be officially aired next week! Are you ready to finally meet this season's celebrity hosts?" The enthusiastic cheers from the audience were enough of an answer for her.
As on cue, the two guests entered from opposite sides of the brightly lit section just beside the actual stage. The shrieking became louder.
Marian greeted the two with a twinkling smile that showed through her white teeth and sparkling blue eyes. She lightly hugged both of them before looking back at the main camera. The guests stood on either side of the clear plastic podium she was on.
"I don't think you guys need an introduction for these two, but in case you haven't been here on earth with us, let me give you an update." The crowd laughed, satisfying their host.
Marian gestured to her right, placing a hand on the bare shoulder of her guest. "You know her, you love her, she's known as Sinnoh's Beyoncé – everyone give it up for M&M!"
The vocalist smiled a sweet smile to the sea of people that seemed to make her skin even fairer. She winked one of her sapphire eyes and grinned from ear to ear when she caught a few guys whistling.
Marian then motioned to her left, not feeling at all embarrassed as her fingers trailed down the fine leather jacket of her other guest's chest. "He's the apple of every girl's eye, the bad boy hottie with the voice of an angel – ladies let's hear you scream for Drew Hayden!"
The MC, along with the female portion of the audience, joined in a chorus of disarrayed squeals.
The singer smirked, earning another series of screams, only this time the sound of swooning resonated from the girls closest to the stage. Their voices became even hoarser when he swiped his light emerald green hair away from his face.
Marian gleefully made her way off the podium to the front of the detached platform, microphone in hand. "These two stars will compete against each other to create the next idol group to take Sinnoh by storm! The winning host will receive an international recording contract from Star Empire – the collaborated music company from all of the five united regions!" The crowd was getting giddy from the suspense of it all. "Tune in to the show every Saturday for the next twenty-four weeks and vote for your favourite singer!"
M&M posed playfully for the camera on her right while Drew gave a toothy grin to the one on his left.
"Who will be the next global sensation?"
"Three days," Harley says. "You have three days left to look for another member to finish your group, May!"
She hates it when Harley tells her things she already knows. He repeated himself several times the past week since the last episode of Sinnoh M Wave and she was getting tired of it.
"It's not my fault they pulled out at the last minute," May says breathlessly, concentrating on her movements in the mirrors before her. The music was so loud she could barely talk to her manager. "I didn't think they'd get stage fright before the show even started." Sweat trailed down her face as she twisted her legs in a series of steps, going with beat of the song.
Harley starts groaning again. He was under a lot of stress, with Superstar S on their case about an incomplete group in all. He tried to make it seem more urgent to May, but it just looked like she didn't care.
May finishes her dance with both hands on her hips as she slightly juts her pelvis to one side. She stares long into her reflection. The sensual yet guarded expression on her face always seemed to make her performance that more alluring towards the end.
Even after nine months she still remembers the moves to her debut song as if it were permanently etched into her mind and body, which it may as well be.
The singer struts past Harley over to her dancing bag and pulls out a small towel. She dabs herself with it as she takes a long refreshing gulp of water from her bottle. Harley still continues to whine in the background.
"May, take this more seriously!" he says almost desperately. "If you can't make a four member group by the deadline you'll be forfeited from the competition!"
After a moment of silence, with nothing but the swishing of water filling the dancing studio, May wipes her damp mouth with her wrist and says, "Who said I wasn't serious?" She doesn't even look at him when she says it. Her hard glare was staring straight wall in front of her.
Getting angry at the wall is pointless though, she tells herself as she closes her eyes and packs her things.
Like before, she hates it when Harley repeated himself. After the first time May is told something she completely ignores the other times someone says it again. She wasn't a child.
May swings her bag over her shoulder, making her way over to the stereo set on the side of the room and unplugs her red iPod from the dock. "I'll have someone by tomorrow, I promise."
With that, she left Harley in the room with a not so steady mind. She didn't even dare to think of the traitor who deserted her group at the last minute.
May
I threw my bag down on the floor of the change rooms in a fit of rage. Luckily no one was in here, I checked.
I could feel the growl in my throat, the grinding of my teeth. I turned to look at the mirrors. My eyes were practically lasers as I looked directly into them.
Forfeit? Please. I wouldn't let him win that solo contract even if I was dead. The thought of that happening makes me sick. I seriously think I might throw up.
My head really did feel a little dizzy. I held myself up by using black silver specked marble bench. Deep breaths, I think to myself. I take a few before feeling a little better. I couldn't think like this. I need to listen to some music.
I took my earphones that were dangling from my top and put them in. I connected them back to my iPod and pressed play. I didn't care what was on. They were all good songs. They were all of my songs. I felt calmer after a few tracks.
I sighed as I took my hair out of my ponytail and ran my hands through it. I did the best I could to style it. It was soaked in sweat after all. The blonde looked a little simple though. I made a mental note to go to the salon to do something to it before the show this Saturday.
Oh, right, the show, the final member. I almost let that slip my mind.
How was I going to find someone to replace the last one? It was so hard to find usable talent in this industry.
I tried to think of a way to find someone by recalling how I found my other members. The first was scouted at Music Fest a few months ago, the second I chose from auditions held here at SM Entertainment's studios, and the third was just by pure luck. Who knew there was actual talent to be picked off the streets these days?
The last one I refuse to think about. They're a traitor and a loser. They're dead to me. Right now my main priority was to get my fourth and final member.
I still ended up idealess by the time I changed out of my practice clothes and into a new clean outfit. Oh, how I loved lace. I made it look good with plaid leggings.
I blink and shake my head. I'm getting off track again.
One last member!
Sighing I perch myself on the bench. I lean my back on the cool wall and prop my legs over the sink. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples as the music continued to play in my ears.
I was too stressed to think of another member. All I could think about was the countless songs we spent months producing for their first full length album, the choreography steps that took weeks to perfect, and the one instrument that will continue to collect dust from now on.
And I only had one day for someone to do it all.
I mentally groan before the physical one escapes my lips.
I shouldn't have promised that to Harley. I say things I don't mean when people are on my case sometimes. It's too late to take it back now.
Grabbing my iDex out of my bag I scroll down my contact list and skim the names of the people I know and consider them for the position. But most of them are already famous, and I'm pretty sure they don't want to move down in the music industry ladder.
I puff a piece of stray hair away from my face when I finally reached the bottom. I stare long and hard at the last name on the list.
When was the last time I talked to them? Were they still in school? I don't remember much of their personality, but I do remember that dance we did together. I closed my eyes and smile at the memory.
I decided my final member.
Wow, that was easier than I thought. And here I was stressing like my manager.
Before I call them though, I had to tell Harley about my choice so that the show could film me while I told them; for backstory purposes. Everywhere I went to find my group members, a camera from Superstar S would always be close by. They were recording the makings of four stars; and me of course.
I slide my phone in my bra strap as I jump of the bench and slip into my platform pumps. I take my bag and trail out of the change rooms into the halls of SM to find my group.
I had always liked the building, with its eco-friendly assets and the fact that it was practically made of glass. It was several stories high, but there are too many floors for me to explore. I had neither the time nor the interest. Knowing where the dance and recording studios were good enough, them and Harley's office.
I step down the wide wooden planked spiral staircase to the second floor and make my way to the recording unit of the studio.
I pull one of my earphones out and press my ear on the thick cedar000 door of recording room 4B.
They were so loud, but they definitely knew how to use those instruments.
I close my eyes and took in the melody. I could see the notes floating around in my head.
The strum of a lead guitar, the pluck of a rhythm guitar, and the beating of the drums, they all blended well together. Did I know how to find talent or what? I practically picked the three brightest stars in heaven.
I smiled as I peeled myself off the door. But no one is brighter than me, there's no equal comparison.
Not even he can stand next to me.
I feel satisfied knowing my group was working hard. They were loyal to me, at least the current members were.
I place my ear bud back in and skipped along to Harley's office to tell him the good news.
Drew
"Pull up the vocals here," I say to the trainee editing the final touches to my groups soon to be debut song.
He nods and adjusts a slider on the control panel before hitting the replay button.
I grin in approval at the finishing product. "Thanks Robert," I say as I pat him on the shoulder and get up from the swivel chair identical to his. "You've really made these songs better."
He gives me nothing more than a smile and a two finger salute as I leave him to carry on editing some other projects he was stuck with.
My iDex stars ringing when I close the door to the studio. I pick it up and continue walking. "Talk to me,"
"That is no way for a renowned singer to answer the phone," I laugh as I twist and turn through the corridors of Starship Entertainment. "Seriously, it's a little beneath you and a kind of cliché."
I slightly roll my eyes at how critical my manager was. "Calm down Solidad, my line is only reserved for you and the others remember?" I hear a sigh on the other end as I take the glass elevator up to the third floor where the dancing studios were located.
"How are they anyway?" she asks immediately after, her tone perking up. I exit the lift and follow the tune of one of the songs I had spent months producing.
"I'm checking up on them now," I say as I peer through the window portion of the door the music was seeping out through.
My members seemed to be hard at work rehearsing their choreography moves. They have been practicing day in and day out. I made sure of that.
I lean back on the wall beside the door and pull my phone back to my ear. "We're definitely going to win this thing," I say confidently to her despite the reaction I knew I was about to get.
"Don't let your ego get the better of you," she says sternly as I mimic her words even though she couldn't see me. "You're good at what you do, but M&M is a rival you should really be concerned about."
M&M. That name always reminds me of the chocolate brand. It's hard to take seriously. But for Solidad's sake I'll play along. "You're right, I won't get cocky," I say half-seriously half-playfully. "That is until I take that solo contract from under her feet." I hear Solidad sigh yet again, but this time she doesn't say anything else concerning M&M.
She knows how I get when we talk about her for too long.
"Do what you like," she says exasperatingly. "Just remember to stay in check when you see her at the photo-shoot this afternoon." With that the call ended.
Oh, right. I had to see her today. The thought of her made me somewhat irritated. I don't exactly remember when or why I started to hate her, but the feeling was always there, and I know she felt the same way.
I slip my cell back in my pocket and head for the ground floor, but not before telling my group to get ready for the shoot.
I left just as they were going through one last run of their song.
"Timmy, can you call the van around?" I ask the receptionist as I stood by the counter surrounding him.
He nods and starts playing around with his black headset. By the time the ride comes around my members are already changed and scrambling to get to the entrance.
I lead them to the curb and open the sliding door. The four take their place in the back while I sit up front by the driver.
One of them activates the television connected on the roof of the van and Sinnoh Now is instantly the first program on. I recognised the voice of their main host before she appeared on the screen.
"Some online forums have been discussing the rumour that singer M&M has lost one of her group members." The reporter says as a thumbnail of the blonde appears by the top right corner of the screen.
My interest took the better of me as I listened in despite how much I loathed her. "Her group competing in the third instalment of Superstar S has had countless group activates to promote themselves. The performance only featuring three of her members and herself sprouted up these rumours. What will happen if M&M fails to complete her group by this week's deadline?"
That question left me to ignore the rest of the broadcast and to simply just smirk to myself.
Luck seemed to be on my side in this contest, and I hope it stays like that.
May
I admire the makeup work of the artists at Superstar S's studio as the crew behind me prep up the white sheet and camera lights for my photo-shoot session.
I especially liked the red M&M earrings the accessory stylist gave me for the shooting. They dangled every time I made a move. I was told I could keep them after the photos were done, so I guess that was another reason why I was still staring at myself in the mirror wearing them.
I had to get some profile shots done today and I'm going to have to tell them that the last member on my team will have to be rescheduled as there is no last member. But I'm going to leave that last bit out for the time being.
I fix the corner of my mouth smeared with matte pink lipstick when the assistant photographer called me over.
I take one last look in the mirror and smile. My newly dip dyed strawberry blonde tips matched well with the platinum. I flip one crimped section over my shoulder before making my way over the plain white backdrop.
The instant I saw him, my poker face went up.
No One
The two smiled, the two posed for the camera, but neither of them spoke to one another.
You could feel the hostile tension between the pair, but to everyone else it was simply a competitive aura emanating from two idols.
Both of their groups stand off to the side awkwardly observing the two.
Drew's members were getting fitted with their costumes while May's was in the middle of hair and makeup. All seven of them could feel the rigidness of their lack of interaction from where they were. All were weary of the competition ahead of them as they glanced at the opposing group.
Only one of them will take over Sinnoh's spotlight while their host goes international.
"That's good you two," the head photographer says to Drew and May as he lifts his gaze from the camera. "Now can you guys go back to back?" It wasn't really a suggestion as it was a simple order.
May swallowed a breath before doing as she was told.
She didn't want to speak to Drew let alone touch him. But she was a professional and wouldn't let that little peeve bother her.
The vocalist presses her back against her competitors and stared dangerously at the lens for a strong looking shot. She could tell Drew was doing the same thing from the way his mussels were tensing. It slightly bothered her that he was a head taller than her. It would make her seem small when the viewers would see this shot plastered all over the region. Then again it would give her some cute points as well.
Drew puts on a seductive smile for the girls that would have his poster stuck on their bedroom walls, and without moving his mouth too much, leans his head back to lean on May's. She quietly groans at the motion. He was silently insulting her height.
"What's wrong Skittles?" Drew says as he mentally chuckles at May's faltering expression in his peripheral vision. "Heard one of your members ditched you. Did you lose some of your confidence about winning the SE contract because of them?"
May squirms her way out, causing Drew to lose balance moment before catching his footing. May entwines her fingers behind her head and lifts up her hair, exposing her bare neck. She smiles on the inside and out when the photographer turns to her to take a few shots, leaving Drew in the absence of few frames.
"Don't mention that traitor to me again. It's none of your business anyway," May says through her pearly white teeth. "And please, I have confidence practically oozing from me. After all, I am the crowd favourite." She winks with a hint of a giggle and the shutter goes off in a repeated fashion.
Drew conceals his amusement at the back of his throat in the form of a laugh.
With a simple flick of his hair the camera lens returns to him. May scowls for a second when the attention is not on her anymore.
"I think that's me you're talking about," Drew says looking suggestibly at the camera.
A few female crew members momentarily halt to openly gawk before moving on to what they were supposed to be doing.
May made an indignant humph sound before tossing her hair. The camera revolves back to her.
"We'll let the region decide once this thing airs," May says as the two go back to back again as directed by the photographer. "Let the best singer win."
Drew smirks. "Glad you see things my way."
May resisted the urge to back kick him in the shin and just continued to smile.
The camera flashes blinded her, but she didn't mind. She wouldn't mind anything as long as she was on top.
She wanted the fame. She wanted the spotlight. And she wouldn't let anything stand in her way from getting what she wanted. Not this time…
The final click of the camera resounded. May wasn't going to let him win her solo contract.
Not the contract, not the fans, nothing.
She wasn't going let Drew have anything.
Everything was going to be hers.
Everything…
Pictures, hundreds of them were plastered all over the four walls of a small windowless room.
Some were blurred, others out of frame, but all of them had one thing in common; the girl with the big blue eyes and platinum blonde hair. They were all of May.
May on stage, May at the airport, May outside her apartment complex. It was entirely May.
I will get you, May.
One photo of May's debut album was ripped from the collage. A shaky hand gripped it tightly. Their hateful eyes drilled into May's, which were scratched out by something sharp. Their fingers slowly wrapped around the picture, crinkling under their nails, ripping into the paper as if it were May's naked flesh.
I will kill you.
I want to make this story as realistic as possible, as in how songs and performances are planned, romance and such. This will have a mix of K-Pop, American and other styles of music, but mainly K-Pop because it has the widest range of variety.
Yes, May is blonde and a little self-centred in this portion of the story and the reason why will be revealed later on. She will revert back to her original personality over time so don't worry.
I plan to have two covers for this story made by the next chapter that will feature both groups and their host. I will also be working on each one of their profile pictures for the show.
So who do you think it trying to get May? Remember there are more characters to come so keep that in mind. Tell me your thoughts in a review please :)
XOXO AsianBunny
