Idol Project: They All Gave Up Center

Ava Miller had been acting strange lately.Every time she looked at me, her eyes were filled with fear.While she had to stand next to me during dance practice, she'd stay as far away as possible during breaks.During one session, while our dance trainer was explaining the moves, I noticed Ava staring blankly at her feet. I waved my hand in front of her face.She snapped back to reality, but when she saw me, she screamed and covered her head in terror.The other trainees rushed to comfort her, and concern spread across our trainer's face.I just stood there, completely lost."What happened?""Kristen, what did you do to make Ava so scared?"The terror in Ava's eyes made it seem like she'd seen something horrific.Jessica Cornell shot me a questioning look, but I could only shrug and shake my head.I hadn't done anything...Worried about her mental state, the trainer sent Ava back to the dorm to rest.I couldn't focus during the rest of dance practice.My mind kept racing,

Tears streamed down my face while Jessica's lips quivered, unable to form words."If you don't tell me, I won't take the center position!""No, you have to!""Then tell me, why are you all insisting that I be center?"Jessica bit her lip so hard it nearly bled. After what felt like forever, she finally spoke."Last night, you said you slept until morning, but do you know what I saw?"Jessica explained that she was almost asleep when she saw me leave the dorm."I kept calling your name, asking where you were going, but you didn't turn around. It was like you couldn't hear me.""I followed you to the practice room, where you started dancing... practicing the center position's dance moves!""I was angry. I kept asking you why you didn't just say you wanted center position. I would've given it to you - there was no need to practice in secret.""That's when you turned around... I... I..."Jessica's voice cracked with tears. I gave her an encouraging look, unconsciously gripping h

After our post-show interviews, we were resting in the backstage room when the door suddenly burst open.Henry walked in, his face dark.He didn't say a word, just stared intensely at my face.Jessica glanced between us and was about to break the awkward silence when Henry abruptly left.Jessica nudged me with her elbow, whispering teasingly, "Maybe he has a crush on you? Did he come to confess?"I rolled my eyes, thinking how ridiculous that was.Back at the dorm, I immediately searched for information about Emma Wilson.She was a trainee from last season's show. I watched all her performances.I had to admit, Emma was a great dancer and singer.But despite being talented in every way, she never caught the public's attention and withdrew after the first performance.There was no information about her current situation online - it was like she'd vanished.I knew why - she was dead.Seeing my serious expression, Jessica asked, confused, "Isn't it all over? The ghost didn't a

Henry's eyes were red-rimmed.He fought to control his emotions, his voice tinged with regret."That day, I went back to the practice room for my forgotten gimbal and saw her running out, clothes disheveled.""I didn't think much of it then, assuming she'd been changing.""Later, I heard she'd quit the show and terminated her contract to return home.""Soon after, my company wanted to form a girl group. Remembering her talent, I recommended her.""My manager made a special trip to her home, only to discover she was already dead.""Unmarried and pregnant, she'd strangled herself with the umbilical cord after giving birth...""The neighourhood was full of gossip about her. People said she'd been someone's mistress in the city, or worked as escort. Even as a man, those rumors made me sick.""Later, I happened to check the forgotten gimbal and found footage of her being raped."Fighting back tears, I asked, "Who was it?""Are you sure you want to know? Aren't you scared?"Henry