A Thin Layer of Ice

a pearl

In the darkness of the stadium, neon light sticks flashed within the humid air. Hot, sticky bodies plastered against one another, shoving forward to get closer to the six godly idols on stage. You were trapped within them, unable to move from your position. The screams and chants continued and they hurt your ears.

Even so, you tried to enjoy yourself. Well, as best as you could enjoy yourself being swarmed up by other people. At least the view on the stage was breathtaking, the sight of their visuals being illuminated by the light effects. They were shining so brightly -- so brightly that no one could peel their eyes off of them. The screams may hurt your ears, but their angelic voices helped to soothe them. Spring Rain was also totally in sync, their bodies moving as one team, every action vital to the concert's success.

From here out in the abyss of the audience, you watched Wook with a strange feeling in your stomach. It tied a knot in your throat, which grew bigger as the night went on. A gap had suddenly bridged between the two of you, the fragile ground bearing cracks upon cracks. He was a star, adored by millions. This crowd was proof of that. He was no longer the little boy in middle school with tears in his eyes, crying because of a cut on his knee. You couldn't keep him to yourself; He was now inevitably being shared by everyone.

Not that he was ever yours to begin with.

He wasn't even a star. He was the sun, for everything revolved around him. Meanwhile, you were the real star, twinkling dimly among the seemingly endless number of other stars in the sky. Wook was somebody; you were nobody. It didn't matter if you were working your ass off saving someone's life in that hospital room. No one would cheer or pat you on the back after the procedure. Your face would not be plastered on the TV screen nor would you get an award for your efforts. You would continue to slave away, collecting money that meant nothing to you and will do so for the rest of your life. When you die, there would be nobody left to remember you. Because you were only another replaceable doctor.

Why did he remember you? Speak to you? Hug you? Comfort you? Care for you?

He could've moved on, leaving you in the dust and living a life anyone would die for, but... he stuck in one place, for you.

You, you, you, you, you, you...

Why you?

Digging your nails into the crevice of your palms, you scoffed in disgust. Here you were, at Wook's concert to support him and yet you had to let your sense of inferiority take over. You didn't deserve to call yourself a friend.

You lifted your head and continued to watch the concert.

After all six idols exited the stage, the crowd was silent, filing out of the large arena. The low murmurs in contrast to the screams that lasted the past few hours was a little unnerving, to say the least. You maneuvered through the aisles and arrived to the outskirts of the building. Standing in tow were two bald men in shades, suited up and looming before a door that led backstage. They looked like the typical bodyguards one would see in a spy movie.

Fortunately, they allowed you to pass through when you showed them the slip on your hand. Inclining your head slightly, you walked into the dank hallway that smelled strongly of cologne and cigarettes.

The narrow hall opened up into what was obviously the backstage. There were people everywhere, in a rush to clean up the aftermath of the concert. Everyone had a point of destination too, calling out orders and mapping out tasks. Wrapping your arms protectively around yourself, you faltered in your steps. It was clear how out of place and lost you appeared.

What a fool you were.

Someone bumped into you from behind and a crash had soon followed afterwards. You spun around to find a young woman who was previously holding onto a load far more than her arms could hold. The load was of equipment that were set up for the concert, such as cameras, lights, props, and more. She was quick on her feet, stooping down low to snatch them. Brown strands covered her face, but her arms shook and there was no need to see her expression. She was in a hurry and now panicking.