CHAPTER 16

Before you knew it, the rehearsal was over. Looking at your phone, it was after 9:00 pm.

"No wonder I'm so tired…" Groaning, you peel yourself out of the seat and drag your way down the stairs.

Yoongi calls out to you, inviting you to come on stage.

It was so unexpected, you stand awkwardly when you're on the floor level, finally noticing how high the stage was up close. You could barely see the rap star's head pop up from over the edge of the platform.

…or maybe I'm just short.

"Come and see how crazy this stage is!"

Mr. Yun wasn't happy with you walking on stage. But you didn't give a damn. You already paid good money to get a seat. You might as well have taken what you could get for the price. 

Walking on stage, your immediate thought was to scan over the platform. They were put together like puzzle pieces.

The star does a few dance moves, inviting you to take his hand.

You're skeptical about what Yoongi wants from you. 

"Come on." He insists.

Sighing, your hand meets his. Yoongi pulls you towards him, standing you face to face. "Tomorrow is the big day."

"Yeah…it is."

"Are you excited? Cause I sure am."

Chuckling, you had to admit—you are pretty ecstatic about his concert. The only difference is that you already feel well acquainted with the young man. And so you had no clue how you'd feel about the actual performance.

"I hope the show goes well for you."

"Thank you." He smiles. "Where are you going to sit by the way?"

"Oh, uh…" You glance around at the seats on each level. "Well…I have 317, so I'm pretty sure it's all the way up there." You point at the nosebleed section.

"What the hell? That's too high up! I'll look like an ant to you!"

"Yeah, well this is what I was able to afford."

"You should have gotten closer seats!"

"Yeah? And with what money, Yoongi? Maybe you'd like to contribute?"

Yoongi's lips snapped shut.

"Yeah…I didn't think so." Cracking your neck, you groan. "I just wanna go back to the hotel and sleep…it's already late as it is."

"Would you like me to send you back in an Uber?" Mr. Yun makes eye contact with you when you turn to see him.

"That would be nice…thank you." Grumbling to yourself you add, "…as long as you're not trying to get rid of me."

Leaving Yoongi's presence, he watches as you take your exit with his manager. The other band members notice how bummed Yoongi became seeing you go.

"Are you actually into her?" The guitarist smirks.

"W-What?" Speechless, Yoongi's face reddens. "Where's that coming from?"

"The way you're looking at her, bro." The drummer chimes in. "You aren't seeing each other, are you?"

"I'm pretty sure they are." The pianist laughs as though he knows something. "You're a brave man coming to America and dating a woman. I just hope you don't receive backlash for it."

"Korean media is cruel enough as it is with Kpop idols, sadly." The guitarist exhales tirelessly.

"Sometimes I wish I could catch a break from the media trying to make us look bad, especially when nothing is going on to begin with."

"You telling me?"

Yoongi listens to them, eventually tuning out their banter.

Was he actually wrong for having something with you?

He begins to imagine what it would feel like to break free from this curse.

On your way home in the Uber, you glue your attention to the text Kyla sent you about two hours ago at this point.

Kyla:

Hey, I haven't heard from you in a while. How are things between you and Yoongi?

Scrolling, you find another message she sent later.

Also, uhhh ...are we still gonna be meeting up to get to the UBS Arena?

Resting your face on the back of your hand, you pout. "I don't even know anymore…"

Since you were technically already staying with Yoongi, it wouldn't make any sense to go with Kyla. However, this was something you and her planned for months. In fact, if it weren't for Kyla, you probably wouldn't have actually gotten the chance to meet Yoongi sober, let alone know that there was a concert happening in New York.

"Great…" Closing your eyes, your meditation lengthens, trying to come up with a solution. "...I guess I should go with her. I shouldn't just ditch Kyla like that."

And as much as it pains you, you were still unsettled by Yoongi. But it was hard to maintain that energy because of the inner fangirl within screaming for you to just let your heart do the talking.

I really want him…but can I really have him?

Reaching back at the hotel, you rush to shower and head off to bed. Cozying under the sheets, you exhale from the pleasurable sensation of the blanket clothing your naked body as it melts into your pores.

An hour later, Yoongi returns to his hotel room. You wake up abruptly to the sound of his door slamming from outside your room. "...what's up with him?" Leaning over the bed, you reach for your phone to see the time. The screen's brightness burns your eyes, making you squint. "12:00 AM?" You suck your teeth. "Why is he now coming back? I thought rehearsal ended at 9…"

Laying back on the mattress, you stare at the ceiling cloaked in darkness. Now that you were awake, it was hard to go back to sleep. And your mind starts to wander, leading you into an endless rabbit hole…

…of intrusive thoughts.

Your forehead's tension intensifies, angering you.

Yoongi doesn't know how to feel about me…he couldn't answer my question at all…and now I have to wait until after his tour here for him to make a decision? I've been sleeping with him for a few months now…I just don't get it…Oh wait, I'm an idiot for even sleeping with an idol—of course this would happen!

You press your face into the pillow.

"Please leave me alone, brain…"

Hearing a knock at the front door, you could only wonder who it was. Maybe it was Yoongi who was coming to apologize for slamming his door. But what would be the point?

Putting on your robe, you shuffle out of your room and stop in front of the front door, peering through the peephole. You were surprised to see Mr. Yun standing there.

Sucking your teeth, you mutter to yourself. "What does he want now?"

Opening the door at a crack, you whisper. "Yes?"

"Yoongi wants to know if you'd like to be escorted to the stadium with him later this afternoon."

"…this afternoon?" It dawns on you that it was practically the next day. "Oh, right." Scratching the back of your head, you bite your lower lip. "I actually want to go with my friend. I promised her a while ago we'd go together."

"Understood." Taking his phone out, Mr. Yun types something quickly, leaving you curious. "Would you like the both of you to be escorted tomorrow?"

"Uh…" You weren't sure what to say. It sounded good. But you didn't think it's wise to have that much attention on you. "…I think it's best if we just wait in line…I don't want to draw attention to the wrong fans."

Mr. Yun glances at you, pushing his glasses with his middle finger. "I think I'm actually starting to like you."

Glowering you scoff. "…right."

"I'll let Yoongi know your decision in the morning. Have a good night."

"…night." Locking the door, you breathe heavily.

You knew that if you received special treatment from Yoongi, your face would be all over news outlets and blogs that would tarnish Yoongi's reputation and go after him. However, to attain that type of privilege was something a regular person like you could only dream to experience once in a lifetime.

Going back to bed, you fall asleep.