Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 34: A Symphony of Tension

Suho's heart raced as he pulled up to Zuri's house. She stepped into the car, wearing a flowing blue dress that complemented her skin beautifully. The atmosphere in the car was heavy with tension, and Suho knew he had a lot to make up for.

The drive to the John Mayer concert was punctuated by only a few awkward remarks. Suho tried to make small talk, but Zuri's responses were curt and lacked her usual humor. He could feel her guard getting stronger with every passing moment.

"Zuri," Suho said, trying to break the silence. "You look stunning in that dress. Blue really suits you."

Zuri glanced at him with a forced smile. "Thanks," she replied tersely.

As they approached the venue, Suho couldn't help but notice that the crowd was overwhelmingly blonde and predominantly white. In a sea of people, they were indeed among the few people of color. Even the ticket worker seemed a bit taken aback that they were attending the concert.

To ease the tension, Suho decided to be overly nice, smiling at the people who stared a little too long, and holding Zuri's hand even more tightly than before. It was borderline cringeworthy, but he was determined to make this night special.

"Zuri, I got us some great seats," Suho said as they entered the venue, his voice tinged with a false cheerfulness. "Right in the middle, perfect view of the stage."

Zuri forced a polite smile but said nothing. The atmosphere was charged with discomfort, and Suho could feel the weight of their unspoken conflict.

Inside, as John Mayer took the stage, Suho couldn't help but think, "Hopefully, maybe Briley's advice about this whole John Mayer thing would fix our relationship." But the road to healing their relationship was longer and more complex than a single concert could bridge, and he knew that.

Zuri sat beside Suho, her mind racing as they entered the venue for the John Mayer concert. She wasn't exactly a die-hard John Mayer fan and sure he had an okay voice, but it was sweet of Suho to take her. However, her annoyance lingered beneath the surface.

From what she'd heard and experienced, there were seven categories of people who frequented John Mayer concerts:

Drunk Girls: She wasn't drunk, and she had no desire to ever be again after the Suho family reunion fiasco.

Side Hoes: If she was honest, she couldn't see her role in a relationship being 'the side chick' especially when the white girlfriend wasn't a side piece.

Preppy White Kids: No thank you.

People who Want a Steamy Affair with the Band: Now that didn't sound half bad, but was Suho really her type.

Drunk Guys: Not her scene either.

Drunk Guys and Girls: The merging point of the questionable future of America, where basics collided, and her tolerance for that was low.

Half-Ass Stoners: They were there, but she had a feeling that fully committed stoners gravitated toward Dave Matthews Band concerts.

Sorority Sisters: Their presence was practically a requirement at these events, and Zuri couldn't help but notice their matching outfits. Were they running a sorority-wide event at the concert?

AND/OR

Boyfriends who feigned interest in their girlfriends' musical preferences, all the while plotting their escape from a relationship that had seemingly reached its end.

Which category fit into their situation? She felt like a trope and that alone annoyed her.

The concert was in full swing, and John Mayer's bluesy melodies filled the air. Zuri tried her best to get into the music and appreciate the experience, but the tension between her and Suho still hung thick in the air.

She sighed and turned toward him, her voice soft but laced with frustration. "Suho, you know I appreciate this, but it's hard to enjoy when we're not okay. We need to talk."

He shifted in his seat, his gaze meeting hers. "I know, but let's just give John Mayer a chance. Besides, he's supposed to be able to fix anything, you know?"

"Wait what?"

"Some of my coworkers swore up and down. It's like his superpower."

"What coworkers?"

Suho stalled a bit. "Well...Briley said that it's been tested and proven, so..." he trailed off with a shrug and a little red.

Zuri could only shake her head in disbelief, Briley, that masogonistic asshole---yet despite herself, she had to give Suho credit. She had to admit that it was an unorthodox but sweet gesture to take her to the concert.

As the music swirled around them, Suho and Zuri found a quieter spot where they could finally talk things over. The tension between them had reached a breaking point, and they both knew that something needed to change.

Zuri began, her voice tinged with frustration. "Suho, we can't keep ignoring what's been happening. We have to talk about your brother's comments and everything else."

Suho nodded, his expression solemn. "I know. What Joon said was completely unacceptable, and I should have called him out on it. I'm sorry I didn't."

Zuri exhaled deeply, running a hand through her curls. She tried to give him the benefit of a doubt. She needed him, but this issue was an Achilles' heel for her.

It's not just that, Suho. It's about the whole situation. I know you've been trying to be nice, but it's coming off as cringey and not helping."

Suho's shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand through his hair, his mask slipping. "I thought if I was extra nice, it might help ease the tension between us."

Zuri reached out and touched his arm gently. "Suho, it's not about being nice; it's about understanding. We need to be on the same page about serious matters like racism. It's not something we can dance around."

Suho glanced away, his jaw clenched. She could see his emotions bubbling beneath the surface. After a moment, he spoke, his voice low and sincere. "You're right. I know it's difficult, especially with Joon, but I promise to try harder and learn what I can about racism. It's not a simple topic, but it's an important one."

The air between them was thick with tension, but there was a flicker of hope, too.

"I do care about you," Suho continued. "Even though our differences have made things difficult at times, I want to do this, I want to find a way through. I can't lose you, Zuri."

Suho leaned closer, resting his head against hers.

Zuri gave a small smile, the weight in her chest lifting slightly. "Thank you. And I'll do my part too. We're in this together, right?"

A smile tugged at Suho's lips. "Always."

With their connection reestablished, the John Mayer concert became a time of new memories, laughs, and healing. They moved through the crowd, arms linked and smiles wide.