Page 47 of I'll Be the One

“OH MY GOD,” Clarissa shrieks. “IT’S HENRY!”

I turn my attention back to the screen, where, just like Lana and I predicted, there’s an entire feature on Henry, starting from him entering the audition building to him performing onstage. I’ve never seen him dance solo before, and okay, myfriends aren’t wrong about how hot he is. With the same confidence and agility I recognize from dancing with him these last couple weeks, Henry perfectly executes the dance for NCT 127’s “Cherry Bomb,” popping and locking to the beat. NCT 127 is a pretty big group, and Henry somehow channels the energy of all ten members into his performance. Every time he jumps really high or drops down to break-dance, the audience screams.

I try really hard not to, but I smile. I can’t help but be proud of my partner.

Then, finally, I hear someone coming down the stairs.

I hang up on my friends.Sorry, guys,I text in our group chat.My parents are coming. I’ll call you later.

The show finally moves on from Henry, and at that moment, my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Henry Cho himself.

Oh God,it says.I thought they’d never stop talking about me.

I laugh so loudly that Dad asks, “What’s so funny?” when he comes back to the living room. He’s alone, and although he’s trying to smile, I can tell something’s bothering him. I guess talking to Mom didn’t go well.

“Nothing,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual. “What’s Mom up to?”

“She’s actually watching the show on our bedroom TV,” Dad says. “I tried getting her to come down here and watch with us. but...” He gives me a frustrated shrug. “No such luck. Sorry, Skye, I tried. At least she’s watching, right?”

“Yeah, it’s okay,” I say. No matter the result, I can see fromthe tired look on Dad’s face that he really did try. And I don’t want Mom’s negativity to ruin our watch party anyway.

Trying to ignore the uneasy feeling in my stomach, I refocus my attention to the TV screen, where Imani is dancing onstage. She does such an amazing job with her dance cover of one of Exo’s songs that by the time she’s done, Dad and I are cheering her on with the audience.

“Wow, she was fantastic!” says Dad.

“Yup!” I reply. “She was in my group for one of the rounds. Imani’s probably one of the best dancers in this competition.”

I send Imani a quick text.

You were so good!!! My dad and I were losing it while watching you on TV.

A reply comes almost instantly.

IMANI STEVENS:HAHA, thanks <3 Can’t wait to see your audition.

Next up is Lana, who is unsurprisingly good, and then the SpongeBob T-shirt girl, whose name, I learn, is Mindy.

“Wait, did they show you yet?” Dad asks during a commercial break.

“No,” I say. “I think they’re showing people out of order. Henry auditioned sometime after me, but they showed him already. We might not even see me today, since they split the auditions into two episodes.”

A few more people perform, and then I see myself walking across the stage.

My phone starts blowing up again, but before I can checkit, Dad squeezes me tightly into a bear hug. “THERE YOU ARE!” he exclaims.

“Dad, I can’t breathe!” I yell, laughing as I pull away. We both watch as TV Me introduces myself.

“Hello,” she says. “My name is Skye Shin. I am sixteen years old and live in Orange County.”

I cringe, not because I’m embarrassed of myself but because it just feelsweirdto see myself on TV. I’m not sure I like it. Suddenly, I understand why so many actors say that they can’t watch their own movies.

“Wow, this is weird,” I say. “It’s like having an out-of-body experience.”

“My daughter is so cool!” says Dad. “This is the best day of my life!”

“Dad, I haven’t even performed yet!”

I spoke too soon, because at that moment, TV Me starts dancing. Dad is yelling, “Go, Skye!” and various other things so loudly that I can barely hear the TV. I have to admit, even though watching myself on TV isn’t an experience I want to repeat anytime soon, I’m really proud of myself. I absolutely kill it, in both my dance piece and my vocal audition. And I hold my ground, my head high and voice mostly calm, even when the judges ask their fatphobic questions.

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