Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 2: Face in the Crowd (Jennie 18; Rosé 21)

At eighteen, Jennie stood in line for her second fanmeet, her heart pounding in her chest. This moment had been weeks in the making—carefully selecting her outfit, practicing what she would say, and mentally bracing herself for the encounter. The memory of her first attempt to meet Rosé still lingered, a mix of excitement and crushing disappointment. Back then, her nerves had gotten the better of her, and she had left the platform before even getting close to Rosé. But this time, Jennie was determined to do it right.

Jennie could feel her anxiety building as the line inched forward, but she pushed it down, focusing on the thrill of finally seeing Rosé again, face-to-face. Every step closer made her heart race faster.

When Jennie reached the front of the line, she found herself standing just a few feet away from Rosé. She was radiant, her warm smile lighting up the room as she greeted each fan. Jennie's breath caught in her throat. Rosé was even more beautiful up close, her presence so magnetic that it felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

"Hello! What's your name?" Rosé asked, her voice as sweet as Jennie remembered.

Jennie swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. "J-Jennie, with an 'ie'," she stammered, her voice shaking slightly. "I've been to a few of your world tour concerts this year... and a couple of music shows in the past."

Rosé's eyes widened in recognition, and Jennie watched as a spark of realization lit up her face. "Oh, yes! Of course, I remember you! You had the poster of baby me and my dog at the most recent one, right? I usually recognize you in the standing area! You look much different now that there's light. In a good way of course." She laughed, a sound that was music to Jennie's ears.

Jennie nodded, her mind reeling. Rosé remembered her. She actually remembered her. The realization sent a thrill through her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Rosé continued, her voice warm and sincere, "Thank you for your support, Jennie! It really means a lot to me. I hope to see you again soon!"

Jennie could only nod, a smile spreading across her face as Rosé handed her the signed album. "Thank you," she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible over the noise of the room. As she walked away, her legs felt like jelly, her heart still racing. She clutched the signed album to her chest, replaying Rosé's words over and over in her mind. Rosé had recognized her. She had remembered her. The thought was almost too much to process.

Later that night, back in her room, Jennie lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The signed album sat on her nightstand, the ink still fresh. She allowed herself to replay the moment in her mind, imagining, just for a moment, that Rosé's words had meant something more. That the warmth in her eyes wasn't just for a fan, but for her specifically.

"Stop it," Jennie scolded herself, rolling over and burying her face in her pillow. "You're being delusional. She says that to everyone."

But even as she tried to reason with herself, the hope that had bloomed in her chest refused to be silenced. The memory of Rosé's smile, the way her eyes had lit up in recognition, played over and over in Jennie's mind, fueling a dream that she knew was impossible but couldn't quite let go of.

As she drifted off to sleep, the signed album within arm's reach, Jennie couldn't help but wonder—what if? What if there was something special about their connection, something that set her apart from the thousands of other fans? What if, against all odds, Rosé had seen her, really seen her, in that brief, shining moment?

And with that thought, Jennie let herself drift into a hopeful, restless sleep, her dreams filled with images of Rosé, of what had been, and what might still be.