Chapter Two (An Indescribable Feeling)

Afternoon Astray

Anna took a deep breath as she got ready for the monthly "Afternoon Tea with Anna" livestream. The familiar ritual of connecting with her fans was something she usually looked forward to, but today, the weight of her recent struggles felt heavier than ever. As she prepared, she couldn't shake the anxiety that had been building over the past weeks - anxiety that had only intensified as she delved deeper into the harsh realities of fame for her upcoming album.

"Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Afternoon Tea with Anna!"

She greeted them with her usual warm smile, hoping it would mask the turmoil inside.

The chat instantly flooded with greetings, hearts, and comments from fans expressing their excitement to see her. Anna smiled, feeling a momentary relief. These fans were the reason she kept going, even on the hardest days.

"How has your month been?"

She opened her bullet journal and flipped through the pages, recalling the highlights of the past month.

"I've been listening to some incredible music lately."

"First, there's Taehyung's new album. I'm so proud of him. He's poured his heart into it, and you can really hear that in every song."

Her eyes glistened with pride as she talked about her soulmate's work.

"And then there's Eric Nam's 'House on a Hill' - especially the track 'I Wish I Wasn't Me.' It's... it's really powerful, and it resonated with me a lot, especially recently."

Anna paused, her voice faltering for a moment, before continuing.

"I also discovered One Ok Rock, and their music has been a great escape for me. And The Rose's new album 'Lifeline'. Wow, it's just beautiful."

As she moved on to the TV shows she'd been watching, she tried to maintain her usual upbeat tone.

"I've been keeping up with 'Only Friends' and 'Dangerous Romance.' They've been my guilty pleasures this month."

She hesitated for a moment, thinking about how Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung were in Jeju on a secret trip. She wasn't supposed to talk about it, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at their absence. It was the first time in a while that she hadn't had them around for support.

As she glanced at the live chat, something caught her eye. A few negative comments began to stand out amidst the sea of positivity.

"You're not good enough!"

"Why do you even bother?"

"You're nothing without them!"

Her heart began to race, and she felt her chest tighten. The comments echoed the cruel words she had been reading for her album, bringing all those insecurities to the forefront. The pressure of maintaining her composure in front of her fans while feeling like she was unravelling inside became too much.

"I'm sorry."

Anna's voice was barely audible. She could feel the tears welling up, and despite her best efforts, they began to spill over.

"I'm so sorry, I - I can't do this right now."

The chat exploded with concern and support, but it only made her feel more overwhelmed. She felt like she was letting everyone down.

Suddenly, the door to the studio opened, and in walked Yeonjun, Jay, and Heeseung. They had been nearby and must have seen the live stream. Without a word, Yeonjun quickly assessed the situation and took over the stream.

"Hey, everyone!"

Yeonjun smiled reassuringly at the camera as he moved it slightly to shield Anna from view.