Something About Us

After some time spent exploring the resort grounds, Heather and Rhys headed back towards the central stage and campfire area. The atmosphere was convivial, a mix of artists and trainees mingling, their voices creating a pleasant hum. Some were gathered in small groups, engaged in lively conversations, while others assisted the designated cooking team, their hands moving deftly as they prepared lunch. The members of Lux were also present, clustered around the campfire area, their laughter mingling with the voices of their senior artists.

When Henry spotted them, he waved enthusiastically, gesturing towards an empty cushion beside him. "Over here!" he called out.

They waved back, making their way towards the group. "Here," Rhys said, moving the cushion closer to Heather, creating a comfortable seating arrangement.

"What about you?" Heather asked, her brow slightly furrowed.

"I'm good," Rhys replied, settling onto the mat, his posture relaxed.

Heather sat on the cushion, a soft "Thank you" escaping her lips. The others watched their interaction, a collective thought echoing in their minds: How sweet.

Eugene, ever curious, couldn't resist asking, "Are you two together?"

Heather's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, but she shook her head, her voice soft. "No, we're not..."

"We're just friends," Rhys added, his tone casual.

Eugene gave them a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling. "Aahh... Friends... I see, I see." She nodded, exchanging amused glances with the others.

"Really," Rhys elaborated, "My mom is friends with Heather's aunt, so we were introduced to each other when we were kids. We've been friends ever since."

"Okay, okay. We believe you," Eugene said, her voice laced with playful skepticism. "I was just teasing you guys. We know you're still not allowed to date anyone right now." She winked at Heather, her expression mischievous.

Heather sighed in relief, her blush slowly receding. She was naturally shy, and the attention, especially from her favorite artist, Eugene, had made her feel flustered. She settled into the conversation, listening to the artists chat about work and industry gossip.

Hannah, another artist, made a concerted effort to draw Heather into the conversation. They asked her about her life, her age, her school, her hobbies. Heather answered their questions readily, her initial shyness melting away as she found common ground with them. She even joined in the laughter when someone made a particularly witty joke.

A while later, one of the managers announced that lunch was ready. They all stood up, following the manager towards the dining area.

During lunch, Tony introduced Heather to some of his colleagues, as well as other artists and trainees he had worked with. Heather greeted them politely, her social skills honed from her time in the entertainment world. She found herself particularly drawn to Riza, a trainee who was soon to debut as the leader of a four-member group.

Riza shared stories of her four years as a trainee, recounting the grueling training sessions and the constant struggle for sleep. "We barely slept," she said, her voice laced with a mix of exhaustion and nostalgia. "As soon as I got home, I'd collapse on the couch."

"Oh wow," Heather said, taking a sip of her orange juice. "Was it like that for you too, when you were a trainee?" She looked at Rhys, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Rhys, who had just taken a bite of his food, chewed thoughtfully before answering. "Yes, I believe everyone goes through something like that. I guess it depends on your body's ability to adapt to the schedule."

"I guess..." Heather nodded, her gaze shifting back to Riza. "Well, I wish you girls all the best! I'll look forward to the release of your album and become one of your fans!" She smiled warmly. "But please take care of your health too. I understand this is what you guys really wanted to do, but if you're not healthy then..." Heather's voice trailed off, her concern evident.

"Yes, I get it. Thank you," Riza said, hugging Heather briefly. "I promise to take care of myself, and the girls will as well. I'll introduce you to them later."

After lunch, Riza kept her promise, introducing Heather to her group members: Min, Jane, and Ran. The four of them had been training together for four years, their bond forged in the crucible of shared dreams and challenges. They shared stories of their journey, their voices filled with camaraderie and determination. They had originally been a five-member group, but their friend, Juny, had to leave due to health issues, a bittersweet reminder of the sacrifices they had all made.

As they started walking towards the swimming pool, Rhys ran towards them, his expression concerned. "Aunt Maggie said to not forget to do some stretching before you go in the pool. She mentioned you always get cramps whenever you go swimming."

"I do not," Heather protested, but she followed Rhys's advice, leading the group in a series of stretches.

After stretching, Heather removed her cover-up, revealing a vibrant red two-piece swimsuit. She applied sunscreen to her legs, her movements graceful. Rhys, still stretching, couldn't help but notice the attention she was drawing. Her hourglass figure and milky white skin caught the eyes of several males around the pool. Rhys's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.

"Tsk," he said, walking towards Heather. "Don't you have any other swimsuit?"

"I do. Why? Don't I look good in this?" Heather asked, finishing applying sunscreen to her legs.

"It's ugly. Go change," Rhys said, picking up her cover-up and handing it to her.

"No. I'm not going to change. Since you said I look ugly in this, then no one will even look at me," she retorted, throwing the cover-up back onto the chaise lounge chair. She picked up the sunscreen bottle and grabbed Rhys's hand, squeezing a dollop of sunscreen onto his palm. "Now, why don't you apply some sunscreen on my ugly back. Please." She turned around, gathering her hair over her right shoulder, and started applying sunscreen to her arms.

Rhys sighed, applying the sunscreen to her back. "Done," he said.

"Turn around, I'll apply some on your back," Heather said.

Rhys turned around, removing his top, and Heather applied sunscreen to his back. "Okay," she said, handing him the bottle. "I'll go swim now. Don't forget to apply sunscreen on your arms and legs."

Heather walked to the deep end of the pool, dove in, and swam to the other side, her strokes powerful and graceful.