Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Prologue

Jennie was sixteen when she first saw Rosé on TV. The K-pop star, then nineteen, was making her debut with a high-energy dance number that captivated Jennie in an instant. The screen flickered with vibrant colors, the music pulsed through the speakers, and Rosé moved with a confidence and grace that left Jennie spellbound. Rosé, tall and radiant with long, platinum-blonde hair flowing down her back, had a delicate but striking presence. Her sharp yet soft features, expressive doe-like eyes, and radiant smile lit up the stage. The way her lips curved as she performed, along with her sweet yet powerful vocals, made her stand out from everyone Jennie had ever seen.

"She's so cool," Jennie whispered, her voice barely audible as she leaned closer to the screen, almost as if she could step into the world of that glittering stage. Jennie's own appearance contrasted Rosé's in her everyday life—she was petite, with dark brown, wavy hair that framed her heart-shaped face. Her sharp eyes reflected curiosity and a hidden intensity that only those close to her noticed. Rosé's smile, so genuine and bright, made something inside Jennie stir—a feeling of excitement and admiration that she had never experienced before.

With a trembling hand, Jennie reached out to touch the image of the smiling idol, her fingers grazing the cool glass of the TV screen. The connection felt almost real, like she could reach out and hold onto the dream that Rosé represented. "I have to know everything about her," Jennie murmured to herself, the words a quiet promise, as she hurried to her room and opened her laptop.

As the blue light from the screen illuminated her face in the darkness, Jennie dove headfirst into the world of Rosé. Pre-debut content, music videos, interviews—she consumed it all with a hunger she had never felt before. The more she learned, the deeper she fell. Each new discovery only fueled her obsession, turning her admiration into something more profound, more personal. Jennie, though shy and reserved with her friends, had a fierce sense of determination when she set her mind on something—and Rosé had become that focus.

Meanwhile, backstage at the debut performance, the atmosphere was electric with excitement and relief. The lights had dimmed, and the stage was now empty, but the buzz of Rosé's debut lingered in the air.

"You did it!" her manager, Mrs. Choi, exclaimed, rushing over to where Rosé stood, still catching her breath. Rosé, her cheeks flushed from the adrenaline, wiped a stray lock of hair from her face. Her eyes—wide, warm, and gleaming with exhaustion—betrayed the whirlwind of emotions she felt. She stood tall but carried herself with a certain gentleness, the kind that hinted at an underlying vulnerability despite her confident performance.

"Your debut stage was perfect! The crowd loved you!"

Rosé smiled weakly, her heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush. The applause from the audience still echoed in her ears, a sound she knew she would never forget. "Thanks, Mrs. Choi," she replied, her voice tinged with both exhaustion and satisfaction. "I just hope the viewers loved it as much as I did."

Mrs. Choi beamed, her pride in Rosé evident in the way her eyes sparkled. "They did, and so much more. You're going to be a star, Rosé. This is just the beginning."

Later that night, as Jennie continued to explore fan sites and watch Rosé's debut performance on repeat, Rosé lay awake in her dorm, staring at the ceiling. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving behind a mix of exhilaration and a creeping sense of uncertainty. The dorm was quiet, but Rosé's mind was racing with thoughts of the future.

"This is it," she whispered to herself, her voice barely breaking the silence. "This is the start of everything I've worked for. Everything I've dreamed of." The weight of that realization settled over her, both thrilling and terrifying.

Little did they both know, this moment would shape the course of their lives for years to come...

——

As weeks turned into months, Jennie's room became a shrine dedicated to Rosé, each poster and piece of memorabilia meticulously placed with the care and precision of someone who found solace in the idol's presence. Every corner of her room reflected her adoration, with Rosé's face smiling back at her from every angle. This space, filled with albums, signed posters, and limited-edition merchandise, was Jennie's sanctuary. Sometimes, she would spend hours watching her favorite performances on repeat, analyzing every movement, every expression, until she felt she knew Rosé better than anyone.

But while Jennie was building her world around Rosé, the idol herself was grappling with the demands of her new life. Rosé was in the middle of her first mini-tour around Asia, a ton of travel, rehearsals, performances, and interviews. The excitement of performing in front of her fans was undeniable, a feeling that she chased with every stage. The roar of the crowd, the energy of the lights, the thrill of the performance—it was everything she had ever dreamed of. But as the tour went on, the relentless schedule began to take its toll, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.

"Hey, you have a radio interview in two hours, then a short fanmeet, and then dress rehearsal," Mrs. Choi rattled off, her eyes never leaving her clipboard as she briskly walked alongside Rosé.

Suppressing a yawn, Rosé nodded, her body moving on autopilot. "Got it," she replied, her voice devoid of the usual enthusiasm. But then she hesitated, glancing at Mrs. Choi with a tired smile. "Um, Mrs. Choi? When do I have time to, you know, sleep?"

Mrs. Choi laughed, a sound that was more out of habit than genuine amusement. "Sleep is for people who aren't on their way to becoming the biggest K-pop star in the world, dear," she said, her tone both teasing and firm. There was an expectation, an unspoken understanding that this was the life Rosé had signed up for.

That night, as Jennie stared at Rosé's face on a poster, Rosé was alone in her hotel room, miles away from home. The city outside was alive with lights and noise, but inside, it was quiet—almost too quiet. The adrenaline of the day had faded, leaving behind an aching weariness that settled deep in her bones.

Rosé sat on the edge of her bed,. "I love this life," she murmured to herself, her voice soft, as if speaking the words aloud would make them more real. "But sometimes, I wish I had a moment to just breathe."

The next morning, while Jennie was poring over the latest fan updates, her eyes bright with excitement and curiosity, Rosé was heading to another city, another venue, another stage. The same excitement bubbled within her, the anticipation of connecting with her fans once more.

As Rosé's career continued to rise, so did Jennie's devotion. Little did they know this connection—this bond formed through screens and stages—would one day lead their paths to cross in ways neither could have anticipated.