As Nabi continued to get ready, her hands lingered over the jewelry laid out on her dresser. She didn't wear accessories much, but there was one piece that had been sitting in her jewelry box since the breakup. A small, silver star necklace that Hansol had given her one night after they'd spent hours talking under the stars. It had seemed so simple at the time, just a small token of their bond, but now it felt heavy in her hand.
She stared at the necklace for a long moment, her thumb brushing over the cool metal. It had been a while since she'd worn it. Since everything had fallen apart between them, she'd kept it tucked away, out of sight, as if wearing it might bring the past back in a way she wasn't ready for. But today, standing there in front of the mirror, she felt something shift. Maybe it was the energy of the concert, the nervous excitement of seeing him again, or maybe it was just her finally realizing that she couldn't keep running from the memories.
With a deep breath, she draped the necklace around her neck, the star resting just above her collarbone. She could almost feel him with her again, in that small, familiar gesture. The moment it settled against her skin, something inside her softened. The tightness in her chest eased, and for the first time in days, she felt a little less anxious. Maybe wearing it wasn't a sign of weakness or a step backward. Maybe it was just a reminder that no matter what happened tonight, she wasn't the same person she had been before—no matter how tangled her feelings for Hansol still were.
She caught her reflection in the mirror, staring at the necklace one last time before heading out the door. The star glinted softly against her skin, a subtle but meaningful reminder of the past she wasn't ready to forget, and perhaps, the future she might still be able to shape.
As she prepared to walk out the door , Nabi felt a strange sense of calm settle over her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was going to allow herself to enjoy tonight without letting her fears or doubts dictate how it would play out. Maybe the night would be messy, maybe she'd make a fool of herself, but for the first time, she was ready to face it all.
With the star necklace around her neck, she wasn't just going to the concert to relive the past. She was going to create new memories—memories she'd figure out how to keep.
But just as she swung the door open, she was met with the faces of her best friends, who had somehow decided to show up unannounced. Nabi raised an eyebrow. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked, stepping aside to let them in.
"We ran out of groceries, so we're stealing yours. But seriously, where are you going?" Kenji's tone was a mix of sass and confusion as he eyed Nabi's well-put-together outfit.
Hyeri let out a laugh, patting Nabi on the shoulder. "This is the best I've ever seen you dressed."
Nabi blinked, caught off guard. "Thanks? I dress like this all the time..."
Before she could finish, the two burst into fits of giggles, leaning against the kitchen island for support. Hyeri wiped away tears. "Oh, girl, you have zero self-awareness."
"What, is this a date or something? Didn't we just go over your clear feelings for Vernon? Who you still haven't let us meet, by the way!" Kenji chimed in, looking at her as she slipped on her shoes.
Nabi sighed. She was about to respond, but Kenji's words hit a little too close to home. What was she even doing? How was she supposed to just stroll into the venue, make her way backstage, and not have a panic attack before even seeing Hansol? She had no idea what she was getting herself into. As much as she wanted to be confident, the reality of it all made her feel like a total wreck.
