IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ABSENCE

CHAPTER 5

TIME SKIP

THE FEST DAY

Y/N'S POV

All were excited for the fest day as everyone had prepared a lot for it. It started with the group dance of some of our juniors,  they did it so beautifully...everyone clapped for them..next was our performance.

As I stood backstage, my heart raced with a mix of nerves and excitement. The vibrant colors of the stage lights flickered, casting a warm glow on the crowd gathered in front. I glanced at Taehyung, who was adjusting his costume, a reassuring smile on his face that made me feel a little better.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice steady despite the buzz of anticipation around us.

"Yeah, I think so," I replied, trying to calm my racing heart.

Our performance was a culmination of weeks of hard work, late-night rehearsals, and endless laughter. The music began to play, and I took a deep breath, feeling the rhythm pulse through my body. As we stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the energy was electric.

We moved in sync, our choreography flowing seamlessly. I could see familiar faces in the audience, their smiles encouraging me to push through any self-doubt. But then, I spotted Jungkook in the crowd. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, hesitation gripped me. Seeing Jungkook here, stirred up a mix of old feelings that I had thought I'd put behind me. I shook my head slightly, focusing on the dance instead of the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

Each step felt liberating, and I lost myself in the music, letting it guide me. As we reached the climax of our performance, I glanced at Taehyung, who seemed completely absorbed in the moment. A wave of pride washed over me. This was our moment, and we were nailing it. The dance came to a close, and as we struck our final pose, the applause was deafening.

I couldn't help but grin as we took our bows. It was a whirlwind of joy, laughter, and celebration, and I knew this day would be one to remember. As we stepped off the stage, the adrenaline still coursing through me, I felt a sense of accomplishment that made all the hard work worthwhile.

"Did you see the crowd? They loved it!" Taehyung exclaimed, high-fiving me.

"Yeah! It was amazing!" I replied, my voice bubbling with excitement, but my mind flickered back to Jungkook. I tried to push those thoughts aside, wanting to focus on the happiness of the moment.

We went backstage, and as my eyes met Jungkook's, a rush of emotions surged through me. I was a bit shocked as I realized that the next performance was his. My heart raced with anticipation and unease. What is he planning to do? I wondered, watching as the administrator put a mic around his neck and handed him a guitar.

I felt a pull, an urge to see him on stage, to hear his voice once more. The last time we had shared a moment like this, it was different—more innocent, filled with laughter and dreams. But now, there was a weight to it, a history that made my heart ache.

"I'll be right back," I told Taehyung, who was chatting with another dancer. He nodded, looking a little confused but supportive.

I rushed to the audience, weaving through the throng of students, my heart pounding in my chest. As I found a spot near the front, I could see Jungkook adjusting the guitar in his hands, his expression focused and intense. He looked good up there, confident, the stage lights casting a warm glow around him.

Then, he began to strum the first chords, and the crowd fell silent, captivated. The melody... it was familiar to me. It's the song he wrote... for me.