Start Over (Jensoo)

A Black Hole

(Might be triggering for some readers. Please be mindful.)

A Star,  Age 17:

Chloe parked in front of Ashton Entertainment.

She stared stoically at the building before turning to me with a small smile.

"We're here."

I swallowed and nodded. "Yeah...."

She raised her fist. "You can do it."

We banged fists and I smiled widely.

I fixed my knee-length skirt and white long sleeve button up. I walked into the building and went to the receptionist.

I smiled and said, "I have an appointment with Ms.Bae. I'm Jennie Kim."

The receptionist nodded and told me to have a seat and that she would call me when I'm needed.

I nodded and sat in a small chair.

I rubbed my sweaty palms on my skirt.

I should've brought my phone to distract me!

After an excruciatingly long 5 minutes, the receptionist said she would lead me to Ms.Bae's office.

I walked slightly behind her as we walked and turned from one long hallway to the next.

The receptionist stopped in front of a large door and knocked.

I heard someone say loudly, "Come in!"

She glanced back at me and nodded.

She turned the handle and pushed into the room with me following close behind.

I walked in and saw a beautiful older woman wearing a red blouse and black pants. She had dark flowing hair and her skin was pale with her lips painted a bold red.

When she pulled her gaze to mine from whatever she was writing down, it intimidated me to no end.

But it also drew me in as I pulled out a chair in front of her and sat down, never looking away.

She blinked and I saw momentary confusion lace her eyes before she lightly shook her head and said in a hard voice, "It's nice to meet you, Jennie Kim."

I nodded. "I am correct in knowing you are Ms.Bae?"

She nodded too. "You aren't meeting other agencies right?"

"No." I clasped my hands together in my lap. "I accepted the first offer to see an agency from whomever saw my demo tape first. It was yours."

She nodded again. "Good."

Then she sighed. "I am going to be frank with you." She leaned back and crossed one of her legs over her knee.

I nodded, listening intently.

"The music industry is a terrifying place. I can't condone any actions or anything that could happen to you. You would be a public figure and your mental health needs to be stable. You need to have someone in your life that you can rely on and be there for you. Someone who knew you from your 'humble beginnings' to keep you grounded."