Chapter 3: Extra-curricular

Cha Eun Jae leaned back on her hands, face turned towards the sun. She was seated on the grass, enjoying the breeze after being stuck indoors all afternoon. Their last class had been cancelled, so she and her friends decided to ditch the library and go outside.

"Why can't we have classes outdoors?" Eun Jae asked out loud.

Jinho opened one eye to look at her, "The temptation to sleep would be too great."

"Or just to have fun, for once." Seulgi agreed, "It would be too cruel."

Eun Jae laughed, "Since when did you guys become so morose?"

"Since we entered our third year and internship is just a few weeks away." Seulgi said mournfully

"Can you believe we're halfway through medical school?" Jinho said, "any ideas yet what you'd like to specialise in?"

Seulgi crossed her arms under head and used it as as pillow, "I've been thinking for a while now," she began, "and I would really like to be a rehab or orthopaedic doctor."

"Wow, I'm impressed. I didn't realise you liked that field." Eun Jae exclaimed

Seulgi smiled softly, "You know I always liked playing sports and learning about how the body works when it's moving, as well as how best to support athletes and train the muscles to perform better. Orthopaedics also seem interesting and is an increasingly important field in medicine, with bone grafts and different methods of operation. It entails a lot of skill not just about the medical part but also mechanical."

Eun Jae studied her friend suspiciously, "You've been talking to sunbae Moon-Jeong."

Seulgi grinned sheepishly, "I'm actually enjoying Bone Club, not gonna lie!"

Eun Jae snorted, "I wish I can say the same."

"Anyway, it's not just because of sunbae, I'm seriously considering it," Seulgi poked Jinho's arm, "your turn."

"I'll go to the US and do my Master's degree," Jinho declared, "my parents are already there, so there's no problem moving. If I can maintain my average it should be enough to get into John Hopkins."

"Wow, I hope you get in. I'd love to go John Hopkins," Seulgi said wistfully, "What about you, Eun Jae?"

Eun Jae smiled hesitantly, "Actually, I don't know yet."

"That's unlike you," Seulgi said, raising her eyebrows, "I thought you have every single step of your career planned out by now."

Eun Jae laughed, "Not at all. Nothing stands out for me. I mean, we haven't even started our hospital duty yet...so maybe that would help me make up my mind."

"Yeah, there's plenty of time left to decide anyway." Jinho agreed, "Anything could happen, nothing is set in stone yet."

"Well, when you do decide, I'm sure you'll have no trouble," Seulgi said brightly, "You're good at everything, they'll be fighting over you when the time comes."

Eun Jae was saved from commenting by the arrival of Hyorin and Kibum, whose hands were linked together.

"We've been looking for you everywhere!" Hyorin cried as she sat down beside Eun Jae, pulling Kibum down.

"We thought we'll disappear and give you lovebirds some time alone." Seulgi said teasingly

Hyorin blushed prettily, but Kibum just laughed.

"We did try to find you," Eun Jae said, "but don't know where you both went."

"We were called in an emergency student council meeting," Kibum explained, "for the Medicine Week. We had to decide what sort of activities to do."

"Sounds fun," Seulgi commented

"Any idol performances?" Jinho asked hopefully

Kibum shook his head, "No chance. Mostly fund raising booths and a sports competition."

"Which sports?" Seulgi asked

"Volleyball, tennis, and football"

Seulgi nodded with satisfaction, "I better sign up for volleyball. Its been so long since I played"

"You'll be amazing!" Hyorin commented with a grin, "there's also Music of the Night, which is part of the main gala."

"What's that?"

"It's a music competition," Hyorin explained, "Singing, musical instruments...that kind of thing? There has to be a representative per class."

Eun Jae straightened up, "Can we play anything we like?"

Kibum looked at her interestedly, "You're going to join?"

Eun Jae shrugged casually, "I'm actually a pretty decent violinist. I would love to play."

Hyorin clapped her hands with delight, "Great! The posters will go up today with all the details. All you have to do is find a partner and then you can sign up."

"Wait...I need a partner?"

Kibum nodded, "Yeah, all contestants have to be in pairs but you are free to choose what you would like to perform."

Eun Jae bit her lip thoughtfully, "I guess I'll have to look for a partner. Jinho?"

Jinho grimaced, "Sorry Eun Jae, I can only play basic piano."

Hyorin immediately shook her head as Eun Jae turned to her, "You know I can't sing, and I can't play any instrument."

"I'm sure there is someone in our class who would love to do it too." Seulgi said, putting an arm around Eun Jae, "I'm excited to hear it, I never heard you play!"

Eun Jae reddened "Oh, well, um...thanks!"

The conversation moved on to another topic, but Eun Jae found herself still thinking about the competition and playing her violin again.

~*~*~*~

Seo Woo Jin was trying to finish his paper about Parkinson's Disease before he goes to work that evening. It's due tomorrow, and he doesn't have any other time to do it. He picked up another book from his pile, scanned the page quickly, and began copying the information into his paper.

Usually he gets a lot of work done in the library around this time. It was lunch and the weather was sunny again, everyone should be sitting and bickering outside. However, there were quite a few crammers just like him, and the whispering seemed to heavy with excitement.

"Maybe we should do a sing and dance performance?"

"But we need to know how big the stage would be."

"I heard the cash prize is quite lofty."

"Yeah, the council received a generous donation apparently."

"We have to sign up soon!"

"I can't. I'm too nervous to play in front of everyone!"

"Have you found a partner yet, Eun Jae."

"No," Eun Jae answered, sighing softly, "I haven't had time to ask around, really."

"Do you want me to try?" Seulgi asked her quietly

Eun Jae shook her head, "Ahh it's not big deal! Don't trouble yourself."

"Why? Did you change your mind?"

"Mmm..."Eun Jae said absent-mindedly, resting her chin on one hand, "it would be nice to compete. I tried asking some people but they all seemed to be hesitant to play because there is so much pressure to do it in front of the whole school."

"If you really want to do it, we should try again." Seulgi told her

"We'll see, maybe after the exam tomorrow. People might be easier to convince then." Eun Jae said, grinning.

"I heard Jimin and Hyesun are pairing up to do a singing duet."

"Kyaaah,that is going to be awesome. They're both so good."

Woo Jin exhaled loudly and glared at the two girls, "Do you mind gossiping somewhere else? I'm trying to work."

Eun Jae glared back at him, "Why don't you move? We were here first."

"Why should I? You're not even studying."

Eun Jae held her book up "Yes we are, its called taking a break. You might want to have one now."

The two engaged in a silent staring contest until Seulgi cleared her throat, "He has a point. Maybe we should go outside and get some sun. Who knows, we might find someone who can play the piano."

Eun Jae sighed, "All right, let's ask around."

"I can play." Woo Jin said suddenly

The two girls turned back at him in surprise. Woo Jin focused on Eun Jae, watching the debate happening inside her head as she tried to keep a straight face.

He leaned back on his chair, "I could help you out."

Eun Jae raised her chin, "Hmph, and what do you want in return."

Woo Jin shook his head, "Nothing much. Just a share of the prize money, I heard its quite...generous."

Eun Jae folded her arms across her chest, "What is it you're really after?" she asked suspiciously, "Are you just teasing me?"

Woo Jin slowly turned back to his book, "If you don't want my help, it's fine...."

Seulgi elbowed her friend, smiling brightly at Woo Jin "She would love to accept! Come on Eun Jae, let's go so Woo Jin can finish his work."

"I never said I'd accept." Eun Jae protested

One corner of his mouth lifted , "I can help you win," he said casually, "I'm a pretty decent pianist."

Eun Jae grabbed her books from the table and turned away from him. Then she did a half-turn, hesitated, then finally faced him. "I'll think about it." she announced before leaving.

Woo Jin smiled to himself. He really should stop provoking her, but it's amusing to see her reaction. She wears her emotions in her sleeve, and her face gets animated when she is annoyed.

Her eyes sparkled when she spoke about the competition, and she was trying to hide her excitement when she realised there is a chance she could enter.

Woo Jin shook his head to erase the image from his head, and concentrated once again on his work.

~*~*~*~

"Right," Eun Jae said across the table from Woo Jin, "I think we should play Chopin."

Woo Jin snorted, "Ridiculous. We need at least a month of practice for that."

"Nonsense. We have enough time, we can practice everyday after school."

"I have work." Woo Jin countered

"and even for a longer time on weekends." Eun Jae continued briskly

"I have work."

"You always have work." Eun Jae snapped at him

"Well some of us weren't born rich." Woo Jin shot right back

Eun Jae took a deep breath, "Fine! If we put in two hours everyday, we have 30 hours of practice until the gala." she said between gritted teeth

"Not enough," Woo Jin said, "Let's do Midnight Sonata."

Eun Jae laughed, "as if that's any better? That's just as difficult!"

Woo Jin shrugged, "I played it tons when I was a child." he boasted, "seemed pretty easy."

Eun Jae made a face but she shook her head, "No. I haven't played it for years. Let's do Chopin."

"I said no."

"Well, I'm not playing Midnight Sonata either!" Eun Jae finally cried, heatedly.

They glared at each other, fuming.

Hyorin watched the two fight, biting her fingernail nervously, "Are they going to be all right?" she asked, loud enough for Eun Jae to hear.

Seulgi shook her head and turned back to her book.

Kibum approached the two slowly, a hesitant smile on his face, "Come on you two, how are you supposed to play together if you can't even agree on a piece?" he elbowed Woo Jin gently, "what other choices are there? Schubart?"

"No." Woo Jin and Eun Jae both said firmly at the same time.

Kibum raised his hands in defeat, "Well, I tried."

Eun Jae pinched the space between her eyebrows, "he's right," she muttered, "we have to decide a piece together that we both feel comfortable to play."

"Maybe classical music is a bit too difficult, given there's two weeks left before the gala." Hyorin said helpfully

"I have some contemporary pieces." Eun Jae said, "unless you already have one in mind."

Woo Jin didn't comment, but he leaned forward to look at the selection pieces Eun Jae brought and studied each one silently. Finally, he tapped a finger on one of them and looked at her, "What about Butterfly Waltz?"

Eun Jae leaned forward to read the title, "Hmm, I played it before," she said, biting her lip, "I can do it, I think."

"You don't sound confident." Woo Jin remarked innocently, looking back down at their choices and ignoring her deathly stare.

"It's been years since I played properly." Eun Jae confessed, suddenly anxious that she might not be able to play as well as she hoped to do.

The excitement she felt when she first signed up has now evaporated into nervous, restless energy. She need to hold the violin again to calm her nerves.

When she looked at Woo Jin, she realised he was watching her. Eun Jae quickly looked away and busied herself with putting the rest of the pieces in a pile, then ran her eyes through Crain's composition. She could hear the music playing in her head, and she itched to start practicing.

"Shall we go—" Eun Jae started to say, but Woo Jin had already stood up.

"I have a shift at the cafe in ten minutes." he said, "I'll meet you at the music room tonight."

"But—"

"See ya." Woo Jin said as he took off.

Eun Jae sighed in defeat. "See you there."