In the dark

54

Peri gave them a final wave and watched as all the members stepped out the door. It didn't take her long to figure out that the show was starting. Even tucked away in the back of the stadium, Peri could hear the roar of the crowd liven up. They were so loud; Peri swore she felt the dressing room vibrate.

Peri flicked the TV on just as Namjoon began the song for IDOL. That wasn't Namjoon on the stage, though. None of them were who she knew. They had all slipped into their personas when the screen raised up. He was now RM, Tae was V, and Yoongi was SUGA.

"Sweet mother of all things unholy," Peri said under her breath. BTS was brilliant in picking this song as their introduction song. It was setting the precedence for the rest of the evening. Namjoon, rapping three words, made the stadium fill with electricity. ARMY and Peri were in for a show of a lifetime.

BTS finished their opening number and spoke to ARMY. They all took turns telling them how excited they were to be there. How much they loved seeing their fans support them and how much they are looking forward to the rest of the show. They screamed out to ARMY, asking if they were ready. Even Peri nodded her head.

Peri's eyes were glued to the screen as the boys played their first three songs: Save Me, I'm Fine, and Magic Shop. At the end of Save Me, Peri asked if someone could come and save her. Her jaw had fallen onto the floor, and couldn't get up. THE SYNCHRONICITY! During I'm Fine, Peri wondered if BTS had some competition on their hands with ARMY. She was impressed by how well their chants could match up with the song. Even during Yoongi's rapid-fire rap portion, ARMY matched him word for word.

Magic Shop hit differently for Peri. She listened to the words carefully as the boys began to sing the slow melody. Although Peri thought the words were sung with some intention, she didn't realize how much they would resonate inside her. The lyrics, "On days I hate being myself, days I want to disappear forever. Let's make a door in your heart", "I wanted to become your comfort and move your heart. I want to take away your sadness and pain", and "Would you believe me If I said that I was scared of everything too? All the sincerity, the remaining times. All your answers are in this place you found" had played the cord in Peri's heart.

Her eyes were so red from rubbing the tears away, but she finally gave up fighting and just let them fall. Peri curled herself into a ball and wished she could go to them. Go and hug them. To tell them thank you for giving her the most incredible gift she never knew she needed. "I'll show you," she whispered.

Peri felt something touch her knee. Her head shot up, and her eyes opened wide. Peri's eyes were met by a big brown pair of doe eyes looking right at her. Peri lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Jungkook, using all her strength to hold him tightly against her body.

"Tell me how you really feel about it, Peri," he told her half-jokingly. Muffled sounds from Peri were coming out of her as her head was buried into his neck. Jungkook pulled her back up so he could hear her better. Peri paused momentarily when she saw the look of confusion on his face and began again. "That was beyond anything I expected! I mean, I've seen you rehearse before, but that was...WOW! But what I really wanted to tell you was...Where's Hobi?" Peri stopped her ranting and did a head count. One was missing.

"He's getting ready for his solo," Jimin answered.

"Solo? You guys are doing solos?! AND group songs!" Peri shouted.

The boys didn't get a chance to answer before the lights on the stage lit up. Tall boxes in neon purple drew the eye's attention to center stage. "You're going to need this," whispered Tae. Peri turns her head to see Tae hand her an ARMY bomb. The smile on Peri's face went ear to ear as she began to wave it around in the air.

The center stage light turned on, and Hobi was at its center. As his performance went on, Peri watched as he danced all around the stage. The boxes under his feet moved up and down with each step he took. At the song's end, all the dancers came onto the stage and danced to the music with Hobi. Peri's eyes shifted all around the screen, trying to catch all the movements happening. The lights went out when Hobi was finished.