Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 24: Ticket Sale (Jennie 28; Rosé 31)

After putting Hayoon down for a nap that evening, Jennie stared at the screen of her laptop. It had been ages since she last browsed through anything remotely related to her former world, the world where Rosé's every song, every performance, had been her lifeline. Before she realized it, she was typing "Rosé comeback" into the search bar.

The articles flooded in—headlines about Rosé's triumphant return to the spotlight, her heartfelt new album, and a high-profile breakup that had taken the media by storm. Jennie's brows furrowed as she clicked through the articles, absorbing details she hadn't been aware of. Rosé had been through her own struggles—a retreat from the public eye, heartbreak, and personal battles that Jennie had never imagined.

Scrolling down, Jennie spotted a thumbnail for Rosé's latest music video and hesitated for a moment. With a deep breath, she clicked play.

The video opened with dark, atmospheric visuals, setting the stage for an emotional journey. Rosé's voice filled the room—rich, haunting, and more powerful than Jennie remembered. The rawness in her voice struck Jennie like a wave, as though every high and low Rosé had endured had been infused into the very core of the song. It was breathtaking.

Jennie leaned back in her chair, her heart heavy with nostalgia. As the music swelled, she felt a deep connection to the woman she had once idolized. Not as a star, but as a person—someone who had faced her own storms and come out the other side, scarred but stronger.

"I never realized," Jennie whispered to herself, feeling an odd sense of guilt for having distanced herself so completely. The pain she saw in Rosé's lyrics felt all too familiar—mirroring Jennie's own struggles through her failing marriage and eventual divorce.

As the video ended, Jennie's eyes wandered to the recommended articles beside it. One headline caught her eye: "Rosé's Comeback Concert Announced—Ticket Sales Start Tomorrow!"

Her heart raced.

Jennie's fingers hovered over the mouse, but she couldn't bring herself to click just yet. She stared at the headline, her thoughts racing. Could I really go? she wondered, her mind jumping to the million logistical barriers. What about Hayoon? The shop?

She glanced over at the baby monitor where Hayoon's tiny, peaceful breaths filled the room. Her daughter was everything—her whole world. Jennie couldn't just drop everything for a concert. She was a mother now, not some teenager who could line up for hours just to see an idol on stage.

She tried to push the thought away, but her mind drifted back to the last time she had felt that rush of excitement, the thrill of seeing Rosé perform live. She remembered the moments before the lights dimmed, the electric hum of the crowd, and the sheer joy of hearing Rosé's voice reverberate through her chest.

Jennie's hand moved almost unconsciously toward the keyboard. She could practically hear the crowd singing along with Rosé, feel the energy of the night. She hesitated again.

Is this really a good idea?

She closed her laptop gently, trying to push the notion away for the moment, but the seed had been planted. The more she thought about it, the more the idea of attending the concert felt like reclaiming a part of her past. It wouldn't be about fangirling over Rosé—it would be about honoring the girl she used to be, the girl who had believed with her whole heart, even if it was just in the lyrics of a song.

Jennie stood from her desk and walked over to Hayoon's crib, gazing down at her daughter. "What do you think, Hayoon-ie?" she murmured softly. "Is it too silly for your mom to want this?"

Hayoon, still fast asleep, shifted slightly, her small fingers curling around the edge of her blanket. Jennie smiled and gently smoothed the little girl's hair, feeling the weight of her responsibilities.

I'll sleep on it, Jennie decided, though she already knew the answer.

The next morning, Jennie stared at her laptop, open to the ticket sales page for Rosé's comeback concert. The clock on the screen ticked toward 10 a.m.—the exact moment ticket sales would begin.

What am I doing? Jennie wondered for the hundredth time that morning. She had spent years distancing herself from this world, from the concerts, the fandom, even Rosé herself. But here she was, on the verge of jumping back in.

She glanced over at Hayoon, who was now trying to stack her blocks into a wobbly tower. Jennie smiled softly at the sight. "What do you think, Hayoon? Am I being crazy?" she asked aloud, though her daughter was too absorbed in her game to answer.

As the clock hit 10:00, the ticket sales page refreshed. Her heart jumped in her chest. With a deep breath, Jennie clicked on the Buy Tickets button.

The website loaded slowly, the spinning icon mocking her as she waited. "Come on..." she muttered, her fingers tapping nervously against the table. She had forgotten how nerve-wracking this could be—the race against time, the fear that the tickets would sell out before she could even make her selection.

When the page finally loaded, she was faced with a seating chart, each section marked with various prices. The best seats were already disappearing, blinking out in real-time. Jennie's pulse quickened as she clicked on a seat toward the VIP section. Before she could second-guess any further, she clicked Purchase.

The screen loaded, a few agonizing moments later, the confirmation popped up. You've successfully made your purchase. Jennie let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. It was done. She was going to the concert.

She sat back in her chair, staring at the confirmation email that had just appeared in her inbox. "Well, I did it," she murmured, still processing the decision. There was no turning back now.

Hayoon toddled over to Jennie, tugging on her sleeve. "Mommy! Block fell!" she said, pointing at her toppled tower.

Jennie laughed softly, reaching down to scoop her daughter into her lap. "It's okay, sweetie. We can build it again," she said, planting a kiss on Hayoon's cheek.

As she held Hayoon close, Jennie felt an unexpected surge of excitement. Jennie glanced down at her daughter, running a hand through Hayoon's soft hair. "I think you'd like Rosé," she mused aloud. "Maybe when you're a little older, I'll take you to a concert too. We can both dance and sing along."