Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 4: My Fan (Jennie 20; Rosé 23)

Throughout her college years, Jennie constantly grappled with her feelings, questioning whether she liked girls, guys, or maybe both. She spent countless nights lying awake, analyzing every glance, every feeling, trying to put a label on something that felt so elusive. Every time she tried to label them, however, they slipped through her fingers, leaving her more confused than before. Eventually, Jennie decided to push those thoughts aside, convincing herself that she needed to focus on her studies, her future, and everything else that seemed more urgent.

Meanwhile, Rosé was at the height of her career. At 22 going on 23, she was dealing with the intense pressures of stardom, balancing an ever-demanding schedule with the constant scrutiny of the public eye. Her days were a blur of rehearsals, interviews, photo shoots, and performances. The excitement of her early debut days had been replaced by an exhausting routine that left little room for personal reflection. She often found herself longing for the simplicity of her trainee days, where her biggest concern was perfecting a dance move, not living up to the expectations of millions.

Despite the chaos of her life, Rosé made it a point to fully connect with her fans during the events—fanmeets, fansigns, and the like. These moments, brief as they were, offered her a glimpse into the lives of those who supported her. Among the countless faces she encountered, a few began to stand out. Jennie was one of them.

At first, it was just a subtle recognition—a familiar face in a crowd. But as time went on, Rosé found herself looking for Jennie at these events, noticing the little things that set her apart. The way Jennie always brought something unique—a carefully crafted gift, a heartfelt letter, something that spoke of thoughtfulness and sincerity. Rosé appreciated it more than she could express, even as she maintained the polished, professional demeanor expected of her.

It was during one particular fansign event, when Rosé was 23, that she found herself in front of Jennie once again. The event was like any other—lines of fans waiting to meet their idol, the buzz of excitement filling the air. But when Jennie stepped up to the table, there was a moment of quiet that seemed to settle around them.

"Hi again, unnie," Jennie said, her voice soft but steady, though her hands trembled slightly as she handed over a small, beautifully wrapped package. "I just wanted to give you this. I know you're busy, but... I thought you might like it."

Rosé accepted the gift, her fingers brushing against Jennie's as she took it. The touch was brief, but it sent a spark through Jennie's hand, a reminder of the deep, unspoken feelings she kept buried inside. Rosé smiled, that same warm, genuine smile that had captivated Jennie from the very beginning.

"Thank you, Jennie," Rosé replied, her voice sincere. "You're always so thoughtful. I really appreciate it."

Their eyes met for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them before Jennie moved on, her heart pounding in her chest. As she walked away, she felt the familiar rush of emotions, a mix of joy, longing, and the bittersweet realization that this connection, as real as it felt, would never be more than a fleeting moment in Rosé's hectic life.

But for Rosé, that moment stayed. As she continued signing albums and chatting with fans, she found herself glancing back at Jennie, wondering about the life she led outside of these brief encounters. What did she do when she wasn't attending concerts or fan events? There was something about Jennie that felt... real.

Later that night, as Rosé sat alone in her bedroom, the gift Jennie had given her sat on the table beside her, still unopened. Rosé picked it up, turning it over in her hands, feeling the weight of it. It wasn't just a gift—it was a piece of someone's heart, offered to her with such sincerity.

"Who are you, Jennie?" Rosé mused aloud, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why do you feel so different?"

In the quiet of the dressing room, with the world outside temporarily held at bay, Rosé allowed herself to wonder. She had met countless fans, each one special in their own way, but Jennie... Jennie was different. There was a connection there, something that went beyond the usual idol-fan relationship. It was a connection that Rosé couldn't quite understand, but one that she found herself unwilling to let go of.

Meanwhile, Jennie lay in her own room, staring at the ceiling, replaying the day's events over and over in her mind. It was more than she had hoped for, and yet... it left her wanting more. Wanting something she knew she could never have.

But even as she tried to push those thoughts aside, the truth remained. In the quiet of the night, with no one around to judge her, Jennie allowed herself to dream. It was a dream, a fantasy, something Jennie knew she would have to let go of eventually. But for now, in the darkness of her room, with the faint glow of Rosé's posters surrounding her, she held onto it, letting it fuel the hope that someday, somehow, their paths might cross in a way that went beyond these brief encounters.