From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 126: Black Swan (3)

"My ankle’s been better. I’m just having a...fun discussion with production staff since someone messed with my stuff. How’s your throat? Heading somewhere?" Ari asked curiously as he stepped away from the door.

Ever since Benjamin had spoken about Carlos, he had wondered what was going on, especially seeing that Carlos was dressed as if he were heading out.

After looking around, Carlos gave him a wry smile before responding,"...My throat’s been better. I’m going home to get some work done."

"...we can leave?"

Ari had thought they were trapped like rats in a cage, being tortured by the PDs.

"I got special permission, plus people sneak out all the time."

"Oh really. How?"

"Side door on the dance studio side. The security guard takes a nap in the evenings." Carlos looked a bit surprised at the question, but answered honestly with his soft smile.

"Good to know."

As someone whose schedule consisted of practice room, cafeteria, and sleep, Ari truly had no idea what people did in their free time, but since he needed to replace his makeup and he didn’t have his phone, Ari figured he would utilize it just this once.

The two of them walked down the steps to the first floor and through the tunnel to the dance studio with practice rooms.

"So, is going home why you’re skipping team practice?"

"Is that what Benjamin said about me? Haha, I guess he’s not wrong?"

Despite his laughter, Carlos’s voice sounded slightly down.

Ari thought for a minute, recalling the conversations that he had previously had with Carlos.

When they first met, the Spanish boy mentioned that he had missed the rehearsal because he had to help his dad and watch his younger siblings.

After spending 2.5 seconds thinking of a gentle way to say his words, Ari gave up and just bluntly spat them out.

"Does your skipping practice and going to get some work done have anything to do with your dad’s shop and watching your younger siblings?"

"Oh. I can’t believe you remembered."

At Carlos’s surprised look, Ari continued, "Why wouldn’t I? You mentioned having to skip rehearsals because of it, and you’ve talked about watching your siblings a couple of times."

"No, I guess I’m thankful that you listened. And yea, something like that, but don’t worry, I’ll handle it." Another sad laugh came from Carlos before he glanced down at the messy bag in Ari’s hand and changed the subject.

"You mentioned somebody messed with your things? What happened?"

"Somebody spilled all my face paints all over my things. I need to get new ones and find who did it, but the staff is unhelpful." Ari unzipped it to show the messed-up clothes.

"Oh, that’s terrible."

"Yep. I was going to wait until tomorrow for staff help, but since there’s a way to sneak out, I’ll go buy replacements now."

"Going to your car? We can walk together."

"Nah. No license, no car, so I’m going to wake Jamie up to sneak out with me. He owes me for eating my snacks, that greedy gym-bound pig with a cowboy hat."

"The two of you are quite close, huh?"

"More or less? I tolerate him." Ari joked with a small smile.

"I’m jealous."

As they arrived by the side door, Ari prepared to wave Carlos off before going to drag Jamie out of sleep.

Carlos seemed to hesitate at the door before he turned to look at Ari.

"...Do you want me to take you? To the store, I mean."

"Don’t you have somewhere to be?"

"Nah, I have some time. Should I take you? I do have a motorcycle. It’s pretty fun to ride, even as a passenger." Carlos waved his helmet around like a lure, and Ari thought it over for 0.2 seconds before agreeing.

"Let’s do it."

And just like that, Ari found himself on the back of Carlos’ motorcycle wearing his helmet.

As they drove through the surprisingly empty streets to the closest supercenter, he enjoyed the wind blowing against him as Carlos expertly sped through the streets.

Once at the superstore, Ari got a replacement face paint and grabbed a specialty one for his performance.

Afterward, Carlos drove them to a late-night food truck, where they got tacos and agua frescas and stood chatting.

It seemed that Carlos had a lot to get off his chest and wanted company, so Ari just listened and ate, chiming in every once in a while with reassuring words.

Once everything was finished and the food digested, Carlos drove Ari back to the side door, sitting on the running motorcycle as Ari handed him back his helmet.

Before he entered, Ari paused, thinking whether he should say anything, but decided to get it out anyway, continuing their previous conversation.

"I think if you explained to Benjamin and your team that the reason you’re missing practice or a bit slow picking things up is because of family issues, they’ll be more understanding and will definitely give you grace."

"I don’t want their pity. Especially with me not singing at my best and holding everybody back. Things are fine the way they are now. I can handle it."

"You not being able to sing at your best is not your fault in the slightest."

It’s William’s fault.

And not being able to focus solely on the program because of family obligations wasn’t his fault either.

Since Ari couldn’t say that without showing proof, sounding crazy or insensitive, he just sighed, "Thank you for the ride. I owe you one."

"You don’t."

"I do. And I’ll pay it back." Ari replied firmly, "Speaking of which, how was it sleeping on the top bunk? Did you like it?"

Carlos’ face was a bit confused before he smiled brightly, looking like a little kid as he recalled the earlier conversation with Ari when they were first assigned rooms.

"It was pretty fun. I can see why my little siblings like it, though I think it would be more fun if you were in the room."

"Good. And Carlos? The people here are not your siblings, so prioritize yourself more often. And even if you don’t want to tell your whole team your issues, at least tell Benjamin. And stay away from William if you can. Drive safely. Say hello to your family. I’ll tell Benjamin to chill without sharing your exact situation. Bye."

Not waiting for Carlos to say anything else, Ari quickly went inside and spent a couple of hours trying to scrub the face paint out of his clothing.

And in the morning, when he wanted to confront the PD Ji-ho about the issue, all he got was a warning to be more careful and lock his things in the future, and a vague promise to check the cameras for anything suspicious.

Truly not expecting anything from the production staff, Ari went throughout the day, having vocal lessons with Carlos, who looked completely exhausted and smelled like gasoline, and dance practice with Jaywalk, who looked even more disappointed watching Ari struggle to complete the choreography with his sprained ankle.

When the Black Swan team finally met in the evening, Mathew and Minjun had finally completed the new choreography, and in the outside world, a storm was brewing.