Chapter Text
Starship School of the Performing Arts. Home to some of the most well known names in the entertainment industry. Being prestigious, strict and controlled, all ways this school keeps their reputation in check, keeps their students in a straight line and makes it the perfect target for scouts. They’ll never see an end to their reign, especially with such talented students. Each hand picked to fit their image, their vision.
But with all these perfect students, who remains on top?
Every crowd needs a main attraction, every herd needs a leader, every subject needs their queen. And who else to be the queen bee of S.S.P.A than the one and only Jang Wonyoung. A 16 year old High School junior who’s always been and will always be the main attraction.
It doesn’t matter if you envy her, want to be her, want her…you’re simply just another person in line for thoughts such as those. It wasn’t like Wonyoung didn’t mind but it did tend to get annoying from time to time. Constant confession letters pouring from her pink bedazzled locker, accidents in the hallways because people just can’t seem to stop staring, an entire crowd watching her every move.
And with such attention, what was it that made Wonyoung so special?
To put things in simpler terms, she’s the queen of the annual Spring Showcase. Starship Academy’s grand talent show, tuned in by almost the entire city of Seoul, almost like a prestigious award show starring your favourite artist.
Except it’s a bunch of teenagers who’s only social status lies in the wealth their parents have and the wealth they will soon inherit.
And Wonyoung has always been the main attraction ever since she set foot on that stage for the first time freshman year and gagged the audience with not only her stunning visuals but her angelic and innocently light voice. She’s had everyone wrapped around her finger ever since. With such a huge presence around school, you would think Wonyoung fits your typical highschool bitch. Entitled, rude, stuck up and vile.
And you’re right. Wonyoung is exactly that. But anyone with an angelic face can deceive the naive, especially at Starship where the only way you will ever get Wonyoung’s attention only comes from a list of three.
#1: Do anything to her sister Leeseo
#2: Do anything to her best friend Liz
And #3: Come for her throne.
Emphasis on #3.
And you may be asking yourself “With all this power, is there anything Wonyoung can’t have?” and you’d be shocked to know that there is something Wonyoung can’t have.
A contract.
With the presence Wonyoung has on the Spring Showcase you'd think she would be able to get a scouting call back. But you would be mistaken. Year after year Wonyoung had tried to get her name out into the k-pop industry, to try to get scouted by just one company. But every single year, Wonyoung has just come up short.
The first year, all of the fifty companies she has reached out to denied her. Claiming she didn’t stand out enough solo.
The second year, Wonyoung narrowed her opinions and tried for the big 3. Every single one of them denied her. Claiming that she overshadowed her sister too much during their duet.
Now this year was going to be her year. Starship Academy recently opened their own entertainment branch and now Wonyoung had the chance to make her break. Now she was going in with Liz and Leeseo, it was going to be her year.
Third times the charm right?
Because now Wonyoung was ready. She was going to get that casting call and she was going to make her name known in the industry. She was going to make everyone around her know her name- not like they didn’t already.
“Hey!” A voice interrupted the queen’s thoughts. “Are you daydreaming again?” A blonde waves her hand around in Wonyoung’s face, taking the girl out of her deep train of thought. Wonyoung nods her head slowly and begins to pick at the food in front of her. She was currently in the cafeteria with her sister, Leeseo and her best friend, Liz. The only time the three got to really see one another since they all had different schedules.
Wonyoung and Liz were juniors and Leeseo was a freshman. Things were bound not to mix.
Liz sighs.“Well I was asking you if you were going to eat those carrot sticks. You’ve been staring at your food for the past five minutes.” Wonyoung looks down and releases her food that hasn't been touched at all. And she loved macaroni pie Monday’s. Though she couldn’t help the fact her mind wandered elsewhere.
“What song should we do for the Spring Showcase?” She asks. Liz and Leeseo both gave one another a look from opposite sides of the table before facing Wonyoung at the head of it.
“Wonyoung,” Leeseo starts off, “It’s the beginning of fall”
“Do you think Arianna Grande might be the better route for us or Fifth Harmony?” Wonyoung questions and Leeseo realises quickly that she would not be able to get her point across. When Wonyoung wants her way, she will make it clear she wants her way. It’s better to just deal with it.
“You and Leeseo did a Blackpink song last year, right? Why not do another big three girl group?” Liz says, continuing to eat the carrots Wonyoung obviously was not going to eat. Wonyoung hums for a moment, a bit offended that her food was stolen but continues her thought. “I’ve been doing k-pop for years though, even in middle school. Plus, western artists are so in style right now. I can’t remember the last time I heard a Blackpink song on the radio”
“That’s just because they never release music. I would steer clear of YG entertainment for scouting this year” Leeseo comments. Wonyoung learned that lesson in freshman year when they told her she was too kid-like for them. “What we should be focusing on is auditions.” Leeseo continues but Wonyoung simply rolls her eyes. “Auditions are easy. Last year Chowon just let anyone in” Wonyoung says.
“Oh, speaking of Chowon, let’s teer clear of Cube entertainment too. Chowon told me thing’s are awful over there” Liz states and Wonyoung scoffs lightly. “That’s one thing i’ll never understand”
“What?” Leeseo asks.
“How such a flop solo act like Chowon’s got her scouted at one of the top agencies and my amazing performance last year got me the 1st place prize but no scouting call” The constant ranting caused Leeseo to groan, get up from her seat slowly and throw her lunch tray away. Wonyoung and Liz watched with confusion as Leeseo seemingly got up without saying anything, leaving the cafeteria in the process.
“She has a short temper, you know? Just like you,” Liz states, watching Leeseo meet up with her friend outside the cafeteria and go on with her day. “How dare she get up while I'm talking. This is an important matter to me” Wonyoung huffs and crosses her arms. Her jewelry clangs against her shiny pink jacket covering her pink version of her uniform and stings Liz’s ears for a second.
“This is important to her too. And it wasn’t just your performance last year, it was a duet.” Liz points her carrot in Wonyoung’s direction as she rolls her eyes. “Right, right” her response is painted with attitude. Soon, silence falls without their maknae but Wonyoung has an idea.
“Wanna go walk down the halls and watch boys drool over us?” Wonyoung squeals as if watching people trip and fall due to her beauty was some fun game. Liz simply furrowed her eyebrows. “Why watch all these boys drool over you when you never date them anyways?”
Wonyoung doesn't answer right away and simply just reacts defensively instead. “Coming from the lesbian. Do you date all the girls that drool over you?”
“I’ve dated some. But wouldn’t you be the type to boost your popularity by actually taking interest in a guy?” Liz and Wonyoung engage in a small staring contest, knowing they’re both right. But that tense air is suddenly cut when the both burst out laughing. They had a weird relationship that was just perfect for the both of them.
“Seriously, I’ve never met a straight person who acts anything but straight,” Liz says.
“Well I don’t need to throw myself at every guy I see to be straight. Plus, everyone here is beneath me” Wonyoung flips her hair and the two share a giggle until Liz's bright expression turns sour. They feel a presence behind them, and not a friendly one at that. “I would most certainly love to be beneath you…” Both Liz and Wonyoung shudder at the voice behind them. It’s Ryujin…
“In your dreams, Shin.” Wonyoung feels the girl's presence behind her and takes a spoonful of macaroni to avoid any conversation with the short haired girl. Ryujin simply shrugs her shoulders and sits in the spot Leeseo had originally sat in.
“My sister is sitting there” Wonyoung states rather harshly.
Ryujin was one of the girls that have tried to come for her throne many times before and failed. Going from school hottie to school comedian in the span of a year. Though, Wonyoung didn’t find Ryujin funny…at all. As for hotness, that was a different story. “We both know Leeseo isn’t coming back- '' Liz is shut up when Wonyoung clears her throat and widens her eyes “I want her to leave.” She whispers and Liz gets the memo.
“I won’t be here for long, just here to share that the showcase auditions are coming up next week. Got any acts up your sleeve?” Ryujin shrugs. “We’re not magicians, Shin. And that’s really none of your business.” Wonyoung comments, continuing to eat her cold macaroni in spite. “Well I know that, it’s just that-” Wonyoung drops her spoon in frustration and signals Liz that it was time.to.go.
Both girls get up out of their seats and head out the cafeteria. But not without a little warning from Ryujin first though “I hope we meet again, princess.” The short haired girl waves goodbye.
“Oh, and good luck with the new girl!” Wonyoung’s mind takes a screenshot for a moment. Don’t ask why she calls her memory’s screen shots, she just does. “New girl?” Liz asks, her arm intertwined with Wonyoung as they enter the hallway. “Ryujin is always making new fibs. Probably just an attempt for her to try to get under my skin before auditions. It will never happen, I say” Wonyoung chides.
The two friends continue to stride down the halls, catching eyes and dropping jaws. It brought a warm feeling into Wonyoung’s soul. They fear me, they love me, they want to be me.
“Let’s stop by my locker, I have Japanese class right after lunch,” Liz makes a right turn and opens the pink locker with her name dazzling at the front. Her locker would be blue like the others IF Wonyoung hadn’t insisted on it matching hers. “I wonder if Ms. Minatozaki will be as hard on me today like she was yesterday.” Liz sighs, gathering her books. “If you need anyone to suck up to a teacher for a good grade, I'm always here,” Wonyoung smiles.
“I know-” Liz agrees but is a bit interrupted when Wonyoung places her hand on her mouth, shushing her quickly.
“Do you hear that?” Wonyoung whispers softly, motioning her attention to the end of the hallway. Liz says something but it’s muffled by Wonyoung’s hand. But when you’ve known someone for years, you can understand what they’re saying without words. “There’s a crowd at the end of the hall…Someone’s coming.” Wonyoung says. Soon dashing footsteps come from the corner behind Wonyoung and Liz. It’s Leeseo, faintly out of breath as she holds onto her chest, heaving a bit.
“Wonnie, did you see the new girl?”
“New girl??” Liz’s voice is muffled, but she removes Wonyoung’s hand right after. How did her hands smell pink as well? “Yeah, she’s coming down the hall right now” Lesseo says in panic but Wonyoung stays un-bothered. No new girl could show her up-
“Holy shit the crowd is humongous-” The words slip from Liz’s mouth but she quickly shuts herself up noticing how Wonyoung’s gaze pierced through her soul. She’s never seen so many guys trip over and drool over a girl at this school so much. Who was this girl?
Did it really matter? Wonyoung knew as soon as the girl made her way over there, she'd show her who’s boss.
{Earlier}
“Shit, shit, shit. Where’s my locker?” Yujin curses under her breath once she leaves her English classroom. For a school that not only has three floors, an auditorium, a swimming pool and a football field, it was extremely hard to find her locker. She tried using the instructions her teacher wrote on a small q-card for her but her handwriting was so…wonky.
It didn’t help with the fact that everywhere she walked, she felt the eyes of others staring at her. Does this happen with all new people? Yujin questions.
She puts her attention on her phone to avoid making any eye contact with anyone she doesn't know. Which was everyone at this point… Why’d her dad have to get a new job, move out the only home she’s ever known and move her out to preppy ville. Starship Academy in Yujin’s eyes is hell on earth and it’s only been her first day. Itchy navy blue uniform, stuck up English teachers and students who never seem to stop staring. This was becoming her worst nightmare.
But she couldn't deny she needed help. Her backpack was causing her muscles to ache and she needed to load out somewhere. She looked up from her phone momentarily and saw all eyes watching her…except for one. A smaller girl with blonde highlights in her hair was hanging up a poster on a board, not paying attention to anything Yujin was doing. She decided to approach her by tapping her shoulder from behind.
“Wonyoung, for the last time the audition sheets are not ready yet, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow-you’re not Wonyoung…good.” The smaller girl is drawn from her ranting when she is met with an unfamiliar face.
“Sorry, I’m not whoever that is but I’m politely asking for some help”
The smaller girl looks confused at Yujin’s request. She watched as all eyes seemed to be glued to Yujin. Just great, another popular pretty girl in this hellhole of a school. “You have all these eyes on you, why not ask someone else, new girl?”
“That’s the thing.” Yujin begins. “You’re the only person not staring at me,” She whispers. The girl still isn’t convinced.
“Please” Yujin beggs and something switches in the smaller girl’s mind. The new girl who has the attention of the school isn’t being a bitch…that’s strange. “What do I get out of helping you exactly?” Yujin panics. Was everyone at this school going to be this difficult? Yujin’s eyes focus on the flyers in the other girl’s hands. “I’ll help you with your posters for the uhm…” She reads the title, “Sprig showcase?”
The other girl giggles a bit, “Spring Showcase. And you’re a bit out of luck, I just finished putting them all up.” Yujin sighs heavily, looks like she’ll have to find someone else to find her locker.
“But” Yujin’s ears perk up like a puppy, “I’m putting up the audition paper’s in the auditorium tomorrow afternoon. So let’s call it a date” Yujin tilts her head a bit to the side. “I’m joking…about the date part that is.” The girl starts walking through the halls and Yujin follows suit. Not knowing where the girl was going. She doesn't even know what my question is.
“I’m Gaeul” The smaller girl says randomly, “I assume you’re looking for your locker? Second floor, third hallway?” Yujin’s jaw was dropped.
“H-how’d you know?”
“The paper you’re holding says it all” Gaeul points the paper in Yujin’s hands. Yujin mentaly face palms herself. “It’s okay,” Gaeul says, tugging on Yujin’s cardigan and getting the taller girl's attention. “We’re walking through boy territory to get to your locker so I suggest you hold on for a bit.”
Yujin nods and Gaeul’s words and holds onto the girl's hand tightly, frightened by what boy territory meant. “I mean hold onto your backpack but this works too” Yujin’s face flushes for a bit. “Sorry, it’s my first day here and I have no clue what I'm doing” The girls continue to walk through the halls until Gaeul makes an abrupt stop.
“It’s fine but if you want some words of advice, when walking through boy territory try not to make it seem like you have no clue what’s going on” Yujin nods her head, taking deep breaths in and out. “I can’t help it though, I’ve been here for two hours and you’re the only person I’ve talked to” Yujin’s confession makes Gaeul ponder for a small moment.
“Look around you” Yujin looks around following Gaeul’s words and sees people staring at her from all sectors of the hallway. “They’re scared to be in your presence. I’m not saying be a bitch but just know, you’re in charge here” Yujin gulps. “I didn’t sign up for this,” She admitted out loud. “I know..but we’re about to walk past football players, nerds, school comites. In boy territory it’s best we stick together.” Yujin’s grip tightens against Gaeuls. She was holding on for dear life at this point.
“Okay, i’m ready” She breathed out. Just one more step to meet chaos.
{Present Time}
Wonyoung watched as growls grew louder, catcalling got more prominent and the sounds of basketball sneakers scratched against the floor. Of Course the new girl had to walk through boy territory, just the way to gain more attention to herself.
“Boy territory…that girl is bold” Liz whispers, going on her tippy toes, trying to catch a glimpse of the girl being surrounded by a hurdle of boys. She was making her way through the hallways painfully slow. All Wonyoung needed was to take a good glimpse of the girl and things would be over. Thankfully coach Hirai would see the commotion in the halls and blow her whistle to clear the hallways up a bit.
“Come on boys, let the girl breathe a bit or it’ll be double time for practice!” As if on cue, all the jocks had retreated. Not looking for any harder practice rituals. Yes, that still left the nerds to squabble around Yujin but the stares Gaeul gave them were enough to make them retreat in fear.
“There she is,” Leeseo says, watching as Yujin continues to make her way through the halls. Wonyoung gets a good look at the girl and can’t find many words to say. She was pretty, sure. She was tall, not as tall as Wonyoung though. She was obviously older, maybe not too much older. She’s obviously a senior…
But after Wonyoung was done scanning the girl, examining her body movements, as she walked down the hall, something wasn’t right. That girl- that girl beside her.
“What is Gaeul doing with the new girl?” Wonyoung mumbles, maybe a bit too loud as the girl with blonde highlights makes eye contact with the queen bee.
“This isn’t gonna be good” Leeseo mumbles, turning the other corner and removing herself from the situation as fast as she could.
And it wasn’t as if the freshman was wrong. Anyone at Starship with common sense would know Gaeul and Wonyoung do not mix. And the new girl was just about to witness it once she made her first stop at her locker…
right beside Liz’s.