Before you disappear

Chapter 13

Why did I feel so drawn to that girl? Who is she?

Those were the only thoughts going through Jungkook's head as he, Hobi and Jin came backstage during Tae's solo rehearsal, which would be followed by Jimin's solo.

He took a sip of water and massaged his left calf.

"Cramp?"

Jungkook looked up as Hobi came to sit next to him. "Just a little sore. It'll be alright."

His friend drank from his water bottle, before looking back at the youngest. "Make sure to keep hydrated. Our dance routines always ask a lot from our bodies, and water helps."

He didn't say anything Jungkook didn't already know, but instead of saying that, he just nodded. His thoughts trailed back to the moment where they had started singing 'Beautiful'. What had made him stop right in front of those two girls? And what made his eyes wander towards one of them specifically?

He tried to recall what she had looked like, but in his memory all he could bring up were the way her eyes had pierced into his. What color had her eyes been? Did he even know that? What was it that had made him stop right in front of her and reach his hand out to her? And then that spark of electricity when their fingers touched... It had sent shivers down his spine, but brought him instantly back to reality. He had to walk across the stage, not just stay on one spot.

But that girl...

After Tae and Jimin's solos, he'd go back on stage and see if the two girls were still there. Unlike at some locations, fans weren't allowed during their rehearsals in Europe. The venues had been very strict about it, so these two girls couldn't be fans. Perhaps they were part of the English staff, enjoying the rehearsal during a short break in their work. It happened.

Still, the way that girl and I locked eyes... It was as though she'd been looking straight into his soul, making him feel like she saw him and not just the persona he was on stage.

There was definitely more going on than someone watching a rehearsal from the perspective of a staff member.

"What are you thinking about, JK?"

Jungkook looked up when Jin's voice spoke. He tried a small smile. "Nothing much, just this one girl grabbed my attention."

"Oh?" Jin raised his eyebrows and Jungkook half expected he would crack a joke, but Jin surprised him. "Which girl?" he asked.

"She was sitting next to the sound booth?" Jungkook tried.

Jin pouted his lips as he tried to recall the people around the sound booth. "The girl sitting by herself?"

"No, there were two girls."

"Two?" Jin tried to remember but came up empty. "I only saw one that I hadn't seen before."

Jungkook looked at Jin, to see if he was joking, but his friend was serious. Wait. Had he just imagined the interaction? That couldn't be the case, right? He couldn't just imagine someone being there?

"Perhaps she walked away for a moment when I came to stand in front of the sound booth," Jin suggested. "When we go back to rehearse the next songs, I'll have a better look."

Jungkook nodded absentmindedly.

"What made her grab your attention though?" Jin asked, then elbowing him playfully. "Was she pretty?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes, but besides shrugging he didn't respond to the eldest' question. He didn't know the answer to that question anyway. Deciding it was best to change the subject, he looked around if Yoongi had come backstage as well.

Last night he had finished the lyrics to the song he came up with, and he wanted Yoongi to help him with the music.

"Where's Yoongi?"

Jin pointed towards the door through which they'd come backstage. "Working on the sound, I believe. He was pretty adamant that the sound wasn't up to our standards." He leaned towards the youngest. "You have that frown again."

Jungkook gave him a confused look. "What frown?"

"The one where it seems like you're trying to solve a very complicated mathematical equation." Jin chuckled at Jungkook's eye roll, then turning serious again. "I heard you were working on a song. Is that why you want to talk to Yoongi?"

Jungkook nodded. "I think I've got the lyrics right, but I've got problems with getting the right vibe in the music. Yesterday, I tried bringing the lyrics and the music notes together while playing the guitar, but..." Jungkook sighed. "I'm just not feeling it. I was hoping Yoongi could help me out."

"So, that was why you were up until the early hours of this morning," Jin stated, causing Jungkook to look at him confused.

"How—?"

Jin waved his hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. Look, tomorrow we have a day off. Ask Yoongi then."

As RM came backstage, the familiar notes of Jimin's solo song 'Lie' came through. RM clapped his hands. "Okay guys, Jimin's almost done with his solo. Let's go back to the stage to continue rehearsing," RM said as he patted Jungkook's shoulder. "First rehearsal went well, didn't it?"

Jungkook smiled and held up his thumb.

RM beamed. "Good. Let's go!"

***

Author's note

That touch definitely sparked something in Jungkook! But what is it? What will happen next? 

Continue reading if you want to find out! ;)