Dance For Me

12

The boys will be home soon, in a week to be exact, But today is Jungkook's birthday and I can't stop thinking about him. I would send him a gift, but I don't know where they are staying and I don't want to draw any attention to myself. I end up settling on a birthday text.

Me:
Happy Birthday Kookie... I hope you are enjoying your time on tour!

I keep it short and simple, no crazy emojis or anything, but it almost feels too plain. I don't get a response, but I figured as much. Not even Jimin has answered my calls or messages since they went on tour. I feel like I've been completely isolated from my friends, but I don't dwell on it.

I know how hard traveling and performing can be. I did it for eight years. It started out slow, just small dance competitions around the states. Then it went world wide. I visited countries I never heard of during my dance career, but it only got crazier when I started my idol career.

Thankfully they mosly used me for visuals, being the dancer that I am, but I was forced to sing at like ten lines in every song. I only got lucky with Jax and Lee had a rap song and me and the other three girls didn't have to sing.

My least favorite songs to perform were my solos, but our fans loved them for some reason. If only they knew how much auto toon my manager used to hide my real voice.

Besides the singing and the management, I enjoyed our tours. I like traveling and seeing different walks of life. It has always interested me. The different languages, foods and cultures never failed to surprise me.

Sometimes I consider a solo career just the tour again but then I remember I can leave whenever I want and I decide to stay home.

~

This week passes slower than the last two months combined and by the time I reenter the dance studio it's like the first time. I flip on the lights and take in the scent of fresh cleaner. I'm here early so I sit at my desk and scroll on social media to pass the time.

I watch a few random videos before one of the boys pops up. Im intrigued so I unmute the video and listen to it carefully. "Am I the only one actually happy about this?" A girl around my age points at a photo of Jungkook. I'm caught off guard when I notice his new hair cut.

Most of hus hair is still long, but he side are shaved to clean it up a little. I lick my lips when I realize how well it suits him. "It was bound to happen sometime!" The girl continues, "We can't just throw a fit when our favorite celebrities start dating. They're human too!"

My heart stops when a new photo pops on the screen. My hands shake when I pause the video to take a longer look of the photo. It shows Jungkooks arms wrapped around a womans torso, his eyes peering down at her lovingly.

Looking down I read the caption, "Bts' Jungkook seen with new girlfriend." My eyes water for whatever reason as I slam my phone down on the table. No wonder everyone was ignoring me... especially him and Jimin.

"Mei!" The bubbly boy runs in the room, sporting a new hair color. "Hey Jimin," I force a smile and hold my arms out to him, "Nice hair." "Thank you." He tucks a strand of the blonde hair behind his ear, "I missed you so much!" "I missed you too." I hug him back, taking advantage of the contact to release some of my anger and sorrow.

"Mei!" Hobi is in next, carrying a small stuffed bear under his arm. He replaces Jimin and hugs me tightly, "We got you a present!" He steps back and hands me the bear, "Tae picked it out." I laugh at the brown bear that is stitched with the gucci lable.

"You were supposed to wait for us!" The rest of the boys file in, Jin smacking Hobis shoulder. "Thank you guys." I hold the bear tightly against my chest, trying to avoid eye contact with the boy I used to want to see so badly... and now don't.

They each give me hugs, one by one. I keep my eyes on the others when I wrap my arm around Jungkook's waist to side hug him. "How was the tour?" I ask avoiding any confrontation with Jungkook, but he keeps his hand on my lower back as Suga answers.

"Tiring," He rolls his eyes, "Lucky you! You got a vacation!" "I did," I shrug cockily, "Sorry suckers." Thankfully they all chuckle, all except for the boy who stands behind me. He starts to slide his hand back around my waist to hold me so I jump.

"Who is ready for practice?" I half sprint across the room to grab my phone. I flinch when I open it and the same photo is on the screen. I exit the app and pull up my music app.

~

"You know," Jimin eats all my snacks as we watch Bridgerton, "I bet you would be a cute blonde!" "I am not dying my hair." I stop him immediately letting out a low chuckle. "Why not? We could match!" "No." I shake my head before taking a big bite of my ice cream, "I'm glad we actually started watching this."

I change the subject, pointing at the couple screen, "It's really good." "And he's hot, huh?" "He is." I agree watching as they sway across the dance floor, earning the attention of everyone around them, "But he doesn't really love her."

I almost jump when Jimin grasps, "How could you say that?" "He hasn't... touched her dress, or saved her from the pouring rain. He literally said he has no real intentions of marrying her." "Well I guess we'll have to wait and see." He crosses his arms, "People change their minds ya know?" "Yeah... I know."

I look down at the melting bowl of chocolate ice cream as the credits start to roll. With that the first episode is over and Jimin is already gossiping. "How about the older brother?" "Anthony?" I scoff, "He is an asshole." "Well," he rolls his eyes, "What about Colin?" "Too naive."

Again I shake my head and he doesn't seem pleased. "I'm going to find a man that you like in here! Unless you're still hung up on Mr. Darcy." He teases me with his eyebrows making me roll my eyes. "He is the most practical choice," I shrug, "Despite what everyone thought, he was truthful the entire time. And he stood up for her against his own family and saved her from ruin."

"Now you're getting it!" He punches my shoulder before pressing play on the TV. "Though I prefer Mr. Bingley. He was so smitten with Jane. I bet he rubs her feet every night." "He's a fictional character Jimin." He doesn't seem happy with my words and he frowns sadly.

"Do you ever just dream?" Somehow his words really hurt me, especially after the scandal with Jungkook and his new girlfriend. "No." I shake my head. "What happened to you when we were gone?" He cringes at me like I personally attacked him and I feel bad.

"I visited Busan for my birthday," I shrug, "I saw my old dance teacher. I saw my grandparents home..." "Oh Mei!" He grabs my hand, "That must've been hard. I hope we cheered you up." "Huh?" I tilt my head confused.

"With our little performance..." He squints for a moment before pausing the show, "You watched our videos right?" Stunned I shake my head and his jaw drops. "Hun," He clicks his tongue and pulls out his phone. I wait impatiently as he types a few things and scrolls.

"Here." He turns his phone sideways and hands it to me, revealing a very purple scene. All of the boys are dressed in purple, singing their hearts out. "Oh this song is so bad." I laugh when I recognize the song as War of Hormones and thankfully Jimin does too. "We thought it'd make you laugh."

He lays his head on my shoulder as we watch the performance with warm smiles on our faces. Every time they say something I cringe but only with love.

I watch as Jungkook holds up a bundle of lilacs, pointing them at the camera as he sings. My lips curl down in pain when I imagine his gaze on mine. The song soon ends and the boys are all throwing flying kisses at the cameras.