Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 1: First Glimpse (Jennie 17; Rosé 20)

At seventeen, Jennie attended Rosé's first solo concert, a monumental event held at the Gocheok Sky Dome. This wasn't just another performance at an award show; this was Rosé's own concert, a moment Jennie had dreamed of. To make this dream a reality, Jennie had saved up for months, taking on part-time jobs and skipping lunches to afford her front-row ticket. Each penny she earned felt like a step closer to the moment she would finally see Rosé, not just on a screen, but in person, close enough to feel the energy of her presence.

The day of the concert, Jennie stood in line with other fans, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched her lightstick and a poster she had spent hours perfecting. The air buzzed with excitement, and Jennie felt it in her veins, the thrill of what was to come. This was her first concert experience, and she wanted to savor every second. As the line inched forward, Jennie's mind raced with thoughts of what it would be like to see Rosé up close and to hear her voice live.

Backstage, Rosé was immersed in her pre-show ritual, a routine that had become second nature after years of performing. Deep breaths to calm her nerves, last-minute vocal exercises to ensure her voice was in top shape, and a final check of her outfit, making sure every detail was perfect.

Mrs. Choi, her ever-dedicated manager, was adjusting Rosé's mic pack "Remember, Chaeng," Mrs. Choi said, using Rosé's real nickname, "smile big, hit your marks, and most importantly, make every fan feel special. They're the reason you're here."

As Jennie finally made her way into the venue and found her seat, she was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the crowd. Thousands of fans, all there for the same reason, filled the dome with an electric energy that was almost tangible. The anticipation was a living thing, growing and pulsing with every passing minute. When the lights finally dimmed and the opening chords of the first song echoed through the space, Jennie felt her heart skip a beat.

And then, suddenly, Rosé was there, larger than life on the stage. Her presence commanded every eye in the room, and Jennie's gaze locked onto her, unable to look away. For a moment, nothing else existed. It was just Rosé, her music, and the overwhelming emotion that surged through Jennie as she watched her idol perform live for the first time.

When Rosé finished with her first song, her eyes scanned the crowd. But amidst the thousands of fans, her gaze briefly landed on Jennie. For the quickest of moments, their eyes met, and Rosé felt something—a connection, a spark, something that set this fan apart from all the others. In that instant, Rosé knew that Jennie was not like the rest.

"Hello, everyone!" Rosé's voice rang out, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Jennie felt tears spring to her eyes, the emotion of the moment overwhelming her. Throughout the concert, she sang along to every word, her voice blending with the thousands of others, yet feeling like it was just her and Rosé in that massive dome. Her eyes never left Rosé, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

During the ballad, when the stage lights dimmed and the spotlight fell solely on Rosé, Jennie could have sworn their eyes met. It was a brief, electric moment that sent shivers down her spine. The intimacy of that shared gaze, even in such a vast space, made Jennie feel seen in a way she never had before.

As the concert drew to a close and the final notes echoed through the dome, Jennie found herself standing in a daze, her heart still racing. The experience had been everything she had hoped for and more. On the ride home, still buzzing with excitement, Jennie replayed that moment in her mind over and over. She saw me, Jennie thought, her heart swelling with a mix of disbelief and elation. For a second, she really saw me.

Meanwhile, back at the venue, Rosé sat in her dressing room, feeling drained but satisfied. The concert had been a success, the energy from the fans had been incredible, and she had given it her all. But as she removed her stage makeup, the buzz of the evening slowly fading, there was one thought that stayed in her mind.

"Great show, Chaeng!" Mrs. Choi praised, already engrossed in her phone as she coordinated the details for the next concert. "The fans loved it!"

"Yeah," Rosé replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm glad they did." But Rosé's mind wandered back to the concert, to that particular fan who had caught her eye. The girl had been in the front row, singing every word with such passion and sincerity that it had struck a chord deep within Rosé.

There was something about her—something genuine and heartfelt. She knew the lyrics to every song, even the ones that were less popular, the ones most people overlooked. There was a connection there that Rosé couldn't quite place, a feeling that stayed with her even after the makeup was off and the lights were down.