Chapter 5

"See you around, Gold!" This is what Kolya said to the lead dancer before taking the east direction.

The golden boy decided to cut classes today. Kolya is certain that he can't change the former's mind, so he just lets him be.

Kolya then saunters around the university's hallway. He still has twenty minutes before his class with Ms. Manoban starts.

"Mr. Song, didn't you just hear me? Gold Adana can't just be a lead dancer!"

Nikolai stops walking upon hearing Mr. Hampton's voice.

"Why not? You know that Morello is a university of truth and talent. I can't just always be in favor of Mr. Adana just because he's the son of one of our sponsors!"

Kolya watches as Mr. Song argues with the other teacher—the same person who he taught saw his potential. Kolya remembers Mr. Ronnie Hampton clearly. He's the one who interviewed the student. He even said that Kolya is a great asset of the university. He believes that Nikolai will be a famous contemporary dancer someday.

However, it feels like what Mr. Hampton told him was all a lie. Is Mr. Song correct? Is money more important than talent? But wait, he can't get too cocky or accusing. Kolya knows that Gold is also an amazing dancer, perhaps even better than him. He just feels dejected because what Mr. Song said just now is getting into his head.

"Mr. Song, you offend me." Ronnie huffs, crossing his arms. "Of course I live by the university's virtue, but I am also looking at another view. This performance isn't just ordinary. This will be aired in the national television! Imagine the mean things people will say if they don't see Gold in the center."

Mr. Hampton continues to elucidate his point. He claimed that Gold isn't a stranger in the dance industry. Many people know and admire him because as stated, he won many awards worldwide.

"They will talk and spread news that one of our top students is downgrading. They know that we train Mr. Adana well, that we give him all sorts of activities just to be on the top. I believe in Nikolai Park's abilities, but some might say that we only got lucky with him."

"Why do you mean by that? Park passed the high standards of Morello University. His audition video is out of this world." Mr. Song says. Admittedly, he had doubts about Nikolai too, so in able to prove that his judgment is sound, he instantly watched the student's audition performance.

Mr. Song is certain that he will never forget that five minute video ever. Kolya danced so gracefully. The instructor never thought that he will be this mesmerized by a student. Kolya appears to be a professional dancer.

"The performance is happening next month, Mr. Song. Nikolai Park is a transferee. Surely, people will know that his talent is inborn and not something he learned at Morello University. I mean," Mr. Hamptons sighs, as if he finds it so hard to explain his point. "We are the top university in our country, but come on! Even the brightest student can't be as good as Nikolai in just a month of lesson and coaching."

Mr. Song presses his lips into a thin line. Mr. Hampton has a point. Morello University can't take the credit for Kolya's extraordinary abilities. His moves are advanced—something that can't be learned in just a short period of time.

"Eavesdropping is rude."

Kolya flinches when someone speaks behind him. Standing up straight, he faces the person who caught him scrunching down while listening to the two instructors talk.

"I-I'm..." He comes face to face with a girl who appears to be the same age as him.

The girl is about to speak, but then she sees that the teachers are about to look into their direction, so she immediately pulls Kolya's hand.

"What are you doi—"

"Shh!" She shushes him, still pulling him into a dark corner. Kolya instantly realizes that this girl is saving him from being caught into listening to a private conversation.

"The next time you decide to spy on our teachers, consider the people who might catch you." The girl shakes her head, like she's scolding Kolya.

Nikolai blushes.

"I-I wasn't spying on them." He argues. "I just happened to hear what they're talking about as I pass by." It's true. It just so happened that his class with Ms. Manoban is near the faculty lounge. It's inevitable to pass by this place.

"Yeah, right. Let's just pretend that you're not interested in Gold."

Blood rushes in Kolya's face more.

"It's not like that," he says, scratching the back of his neck as he continues to go up the stairs. His classroom is in 3rd floor.

"Don't try to deny it," the girl walks beside Kolya. She raises her brow at him. "Everyone is so into him. I don't understand, though. There's nothing special about Gold Adana except his pretty face."

Kolya freezes at the last thread of the stairs. He stares blankly at the rude girl.

"Pff," her muffled laugh confuses him. "You look like you're about to murder me! I'm just kidding."

"Oh." Kolya scrunches his nose, his face still feels hot.

"I'm Cleo, Gold's best friend."

It makes sense. Maybe she's just trying to test Kolya to know if he hates her best friend.

"I'm Nikolai." He offers his hand for a shake. "Just call me Kolya,"

"Nice to meet you, Niko!" She totally ignores his request and instead of shaking his hand, Cleo engulfs him into a welcoming embrace—her hug is abrupt that they almost fell down the stairs. Luckily, Kolya managed to hold unto the railings.

"Sorry!" Cleo giggles, her eyes, just like Gold, is sparkling. She's truly beautiful.

"We're going to be late. Let's go!" She pulls him once more—making Kolya confused over and over again.

"You're in Ms. Manoban's class?" He thought that he belongs into an all-boys section.

Cleo hums.

"Ms. Manoban's is an instructor of a general dance class. All freshmen in our department take this subject." Cleo is a ballerina, but as said, Morello University requires her to take this general class, it's all about ballroom dance. This is also the reason why the students are a mixed of girls and boys. They need to be paired up.

The room is already full of students when Kolya and Cleo enter. They still have ten minutes before the class starts.

"Sit beside me. Gold won't be here today." Cleo pats her best friend's empty seat.

"Okay..." Kolya awkwardly agrees, wondering how she got to know that Gold is skipping class today. Did he text her?

Most probably. It's what best friends do, right?

"How'd you become friends with Gold?" He asks before he can stop himself. He's just curious.

"Ah," Cleo laughs, brushing her strawberry blonde hair to the side. "Giana Anderson is Jasmine Adana's best friend."

"Sorry?" Kolya knits his brow. Did Cleo hear his question right?

"Oh, silly me." She laughs for the second time. "Of course you don't know Giana Anderson."

"Uh..." She can't stop making him blush. Kolya finds Cleo's presence a little too much. "I don't know either of them."

His statement must have been hilarious because Cleo can't stop laughing. She's even clutching her stomach. It hurts.

"You're telling me that a dancer like you doesn't know the country's best artist?" She cackles.

Kolya feels uncomfortable now. She's making him feel like a freak.

"Sorry, but I don't."

"No shit!" Cleo stops laughing when she comes to know that Nikolai is being serious. "You seriously don't know Jasmine Young Adana? As in the most successful soloist artist!? Dude, she's like the Albert Einstein of Science!"

Kolya shakes his head dejectedly. He lived in the province all his life; they don't have television in Oakwood so he isn't much updated on things like this. Besides, he's too busy helping his grandmother in the farm to talk about the lives of famous artists.

"I can't believe this! Here I thought you just don't know my mom!"

Cleo then explains to Kolya that Giana Anderson, her mom, is best friends with Jasmine Young Adana, Gold's mom. Both of these women are soloist, but obviously, the latter is more successful. Many people even claimed that the only reason why Giana is still in the show business is because of Jasmine.

It's not true. Jasmine knows this too. Giana is talented. She likes hanging out with Cleo's mother too. They're so close that they even introduced their kids to each other.

Gold has been friends with Cleo since childhood. Although the former is in denial. He says he hates hanging out with Cleo, but the truth is, he's too dependent on her.

"You should check her out. She's a beast when it comes to dancing. She's kind of the reason why Gold enrolled here in Morello."

Gold likes painting more, though.

"What about you, Niko? Is dancing your passion?" Cleo continues to strive for information because it appears like Ms. Manoban is running late.

Kolya thinks for a second.

"I guess you can say that,"

"You seem hesitant. Wasn't this your first choice?"

He thinks again. Actually, his only goal is to make his life a little easier. He wants to give his grandmother and hyung a better life—the kind of life where they don't have to worry if they have enough money to eat three times a day, where Beth doesn't have to complain about her hurting back for overworking in the farm.

"I sent an audition in Morello for fun," he and his hyung were just fooling around that time. Beth went out with her friends so the two brothers snuck some alcoholic drinks. After a few shots here and there, the both of them turned serious. They talk about their dreams and what they're willing to do to change their fate.

He likes dancing and that's not a secret, but his hyung was the one who suggested that he should apply in Morello.

It's all for fun, so when Kolya received a message from the university, he didn't even hesitate. An opportunity like this only comes once in a life time. Just think about it, not everyone gets to do what they like.

Not everyone is as lucky as him. Many people end their life because they hate what they do.

"Uh, Niko? Are you okay?" Cleo frowns when Kolya abruptly stands up.

He stares at her.

"I just had an epiphany, Cleo."

"What?"

Nikolai doesn't answer. He just runs out of the classroom, totally ignoring Cleo's call.

"Mr. Park! What are you doing?" Mr. Song's eyes grow big when his student suddenly barges in the faculty lounge.

"I don't want to be the center, Mr. Song." Kolya says, breathless.

The dance instructor blinks at him, unsure how to respond because damn! Kolya literally just solved Mr. Song's problem. Now, the teacher doesn't have to think of an excuse to replace Nikolai.

"I'm willing to accept other positions, Sir." Kolya's epiphany is that he doesn't need to be on the top to prove anything. The fact that he's pursuing his passion is already enough to make himself proud.

He realizes that he can't take someone's opportunity just because he's better than them. Kolya has no idea what Gold had to sacrifice just to get the center position. He just believes that it's unfair that he got that position without much of a sweat.

It's not even his aim. He can be a successful person even just as a lead dancer. People have different definition of success anyway.

Kolya knows now that success isn't just about climbing the pyramid. It's about building your own pyramid.

"Let me get this clear," Noah crosses his arms after his dongsaeng told him the story why he gave up the center position.

"You went out of your way for this bottom." The older brother points at the computer screen. Morello is kind enough to provide a computer and cellphone for their scholars.

"He isn't a bottom!" Kolya scoffs.

The siblings are currently staring at Gold's picture. Well, Nikolai took in Cleo's advice to search Jasmine Young Adana on the internet. It just so happens that his son is on the related searches. Gold is well-known too. He's their country's representative in many competitions.

"Don't be blinded by his sharp eyes and jaw, little brother. He's clearly a spoiled brat, always getting what he wants."

"Doesn't make him a bottom!" Kolya argues. He isn't sure why he's making this a big deal or why he's having this conversation with his brother in the first place.

Sure, he came out as gay last year, but Noah is in no way obligated to talk about this kind of stuff with him. It won't make him less of a good brother.

"It does. Bottom is the pleasure receiver, right? I'm telling you, that kind of guy only cares about himself."

"You are so wrong! Top and bottom are more than just being the giver or the receiver."

"You explaining shit to me doesn't change my mind." Noah sticks his tongue out.

Kolya rolls his eyes, frustrated.

"Did you even consider him as a power-bottom?"

"Hm," the older brother wonders. "I'll think about it..."

Noah truly did think about it. Actually, now that he already met Gold in his their house, he can finally give a verdict.

"I agree. He's a power-bottom." Kolya's brother says on a Thursday morning. The golden boy visited last night. He had enough time to think about it.

"Are we really talking about this now?" The student groans. He's a little grumpy because their heater broke. Cold shower annoys him, especially in the morning.

"I just have to say it." Noah shrugs his shoulders. "Anyway, I made two strawberries and cream sandwich. Give the other one to Gold, okay?"

"Okay." Kolya stuffs the sandwich in his bag. "See you later." He turns back. "Halmeoni! I'm going to school now!"

He didn't wait for an answer because Beth is probably busy talking to Mr. Cruz on the phone.

Kolya takes a walk going to school. Today is a good day despite the fact that their heater broke. He also woke up early this morning because he had such a nice sleep last night.

He thought that this day will turn out to be great, but in the end, Kolya realized that he's a fool.

"Hi, Gold!" A greeting is the first step to ruin his own day.

Kolya enters the room with a huge smile on his face. Gold is already on his seat while talking to some of his friends.

Carter and Jacob crease their foreheads, amused by Kolya's audacity to talk to their friend. The three of them were just talking about how they hate Nikolai and how disgusting he is for living in a small apartment. Apparently, Gold told his friends about his little visit at Kolya's house.

"My brother made you this." Still smiling widely, Kolya places the strawberry sandwich on Gold's desk.

The golden boy barely looks at it.

He stands up, eyes looking everywhere but Kolya.

"We still have time before the first bell." Gold tells his friends. "Wanna grab some ramen in the caf?"

"Let's go." Carter and Jacob stand up too.

Gold leaves the classroom.

"Trash." His two friends smirk at the person they hate before exiting—leaving Kolya who feels like his heart is being torn into pieces.