Stars Entwined | Bada Lee AU

nine

The sleek black van glided smoothly through the busy streets of Seoul as the Blackpink members chatted animatedly about various topics. Lisa, with her playful demeanor, broke the ice.

"Okay, Jennie, spill the tea about your date with Bada! We need all the juicy details," Lisa teased, prompting excited squeals from the other members.

Jennie chuckled, her eyes betraying a mix of happiness and sadness. "Well, Bada took me to this charming cafe, and then we went to a trinket shop where we made cute phone straps together. It was really sweet."

Jisoo, with a playful grin, added, "Ugh, that sounds amazing! I wish I had a cute date too."

As the members continued to express their envy, Jisoo noticed the subtle sadness in Jennie's eyes. Concerned, she asked, "Jennie, what's wrong? You seem a bit off."

Jennie hesitated before confiding, "I saw this interview where Bada said she's single. It just caught me off guard, and I can't help but feel a bit hurt."

The members listened attentively, and Lisa offered a reassuring smile. "Maybe she just wants to keep it private. You know how it is in the industry."

Rosé chimed in, "Yeah, privacy is a luxury we don't always have. Maybe Bada just wants to protect both your privacy."

Jennie appreciated her friends' understanding, but a shadow of doubt crossed her face. She knew there was more to her reluctance to reach out to Bada.

As they arrived at YG Entertainment, the management and marketing team greeted them warmly, congratulating them on their success. The discussion moved to their upcoming world tour schedules and projects.

Jennie's mind, however, drifted away from the business talk. She thought about the world tour announcement and the implications it held for her budding relationship with Bada. The excitement from the news clashed with the nagging fear that distance might strain what had just started between them.

"So, fate has decided to separate us, huh?" Jennie mused internally, a tinge of melancholy creeping into her thoughts.

As the meeting continued, Jennie questioned herself, wondering if she was truly ready to navigate the challenges that came with a public relationship. The fear of judgment, not just for herself but for Bada and her members, loomed large.

The reality of being a K-pop idol hit her hard. The glamour and success were accompanied by an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, Jennie felt weak at times.

The fear of breaking under the criticism gnawed at her. Jennie couldn't shake the haunting fear of losing control. She envisioned the potential backlash, not just for herself but for those she cared about. "Who will protect her members? Who will fight for Bada?" These thoughts made her more scared of the consequences if she continued to be careless about her relationship with Bada.

Jennie's gaze fell on her phone, contemplating whether to reach out to Bada amidst the chaos that surrounded her thoughts. Yet, the fear of facing the unknown, the fear of being judged, and the fear of breaking down held her back.

The van rumbled through Seoul, carrying both the excitement of their success and the weight of unspoken fears. As Jennie looked out the window, she wondered if she was truly ready to risk it all for love.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Bada's day at JustJerk Academy began with a mix of worry and excitement. Her message to Jennie the previous night still lingered in her mind, and the lack of a response kept her on edge. Hoping to ease the tension, Bada sent another text that morning, infused with concern and care: "Hey, are you okay? Don't forget to take care of yourself today. Text me when you're not busy."