Befallen

Chapter 2: Effervescent

Effervescent: Lively, full of energy, bubbly.

The smile Jimin dawns hasn't left his face since we left the studio a few hours ago. Joy so obviously adorning his soft features. Although he wears a mask it's easy to tell, his eyes squinting so much it makes me wonder how he sees the sidewalk in front of us. It feels as if a insurmountable weight has lifted from my shoulders as I pull my mask down to my chin, taking a sip of my tea and chewing lightly on some of the tapioca pearls that come through the straw. Jimin and I's boba tea are similar yet so different, just like our personalities. While we both went for cold milk tea with no ice, mine was banana with tapioca pearls while his was coconut with aloe jellies. A weird combination on his part, but aloe apparently has healing properties and he's all about that. I'm not the one that has to drink it - except the one time he made me try it and I made him vow to never again make me taste his drinks after that experience - so I don't pay mind to it. 

He hasn't stopped gushing about the song that I showed him, ultimately claiming it as his own and running through ideas for it at a mile a minute. I didn't even know he could talk that fast. He's so enthused and focused on his ideas that he hasn't even touched his drink since we left the cafe, which is unheard of when it comes to him. Usually he gulps that thing down in the first couple minutes of having it, then complains when he has nothing left to drink and ultimately goes back to get another one. I smile to myself at him, butterflies fluttering through my chest in a much different way than they were earlier.  I'm nervous, but at the same time, the excitement at the prospect is greater.

Ideas for it flow through my own mind as we walk, the suggestion from Jungkook on the front of it, distracting me from my own. 

It's not a bad idea. Especially with Jimin's soft vocals, it would pair nicely. It would sure be a lot different from what he has put out in the past, but the boy likes to change up his vocal style like its a sport. No two songs of his have ever sounded alike, and this would fit in with that theme. 

He goes on about how he's torn between themes, whether he wants to talk about the the fear of stardom or the fear of losing someone. Either way, he wants it to be a meaningful message. I focus on the two themes, running through different sets of lyrics to see which one would fit better, but I'm also at a loss.

"Ugh, this is so hard!" Jimin throws his hands up in the air in exasperation, grabbing the attention of a few of the other people in the street at the dramatic display. "I don't know how to decide..."

"Maybe you should ask one of the other members?" I suggest, knowing that a few of his hyungs have production experience and have produced a few albums on their own already.

"No, this has to be something I decide on my own." Jimin says with determination permeating his features. He slows his walk and I see him starting to get in his own head. He tends to do that a lot, overthink. Jimin, although one of the most talented and hard-working individuals I know, is somewhat of a walking contradiction. He exudes confidence in everything he does, but at the same time is more self-conscious than anything. He doesn't like to show it, but he's harder on himself than anyone else could possibly be. Always overthinking every move he makes, a perfectionist at heart. Especially when it comes to himself. 

"You know, there's nothing wrong with asking for help." I try to reason with him, attempting to break him from the inevitable spiral that will happen if he is left to his thoughts.  "After all, aren't I helping you with it?"

He pauses for a moment to think, his eyebrows creasing. We walk in silence for a few seconds before he speaks softly, but each syllable is coated with conviction.

"That's different..." he starts, "we are making this together. If I ask them... it just proves that I can't do it on my own."

Jimin avoids my eyes as says this, his competitive nature showing through. He always wants to be the best version of himself that he can be, sometimes near destroying himself in the process. I want to argue, say that it's not a weakness to rely on others to help. But I don't, knowing full and well that it wouldn't change his mind. He's very stubborn when it comes to this, so I don't push it. I think for a moment before an idea pops in my head.