Jackson Wang : Dopamine

chapter 2

Jackson woke up with a pounding headache, the hangover still clinging to him. He spent his Sunday lounging around, unable to do anything productive. As usual, guilt gnawed at him. Why couldn't he be productive, even on a Sunday? Eventually, to ease his conscience, he put on his sneakers and went for a run in the evening. But he knew Monday was going to be a tough day.

By Monday morning, he was already on the massive stage where he'd be performing in less than five hours. Rehearsals for his concert were well underway, and though his body was tired, the excitement was building. Tonight, he'd be performing three of his biggest hits, "Blow," "Champagne Cool," and "cruel." The part of him that thrived under the spotlight couldn't wait. After months on tour, this concert marked his triumphant return home.

Jackson roamed the stage, adjusting his voice, his movements, and his attitude. He was more than just an artist to his fans; he was a rebel, a flirt. Every move, every note resonated with raw, electrifying intensity. The audience saw him as an untouchable figure, and he loved playing into that image. When he sang "Blow," every breath, every glance raised the temperature in the room. "Champagne Cool" brought a more laid-back vibe, a smooth seduction, while "cruel" unleashed his raw aggression and passion, his feline movements captivating every gaze.

During "Champagne Cool," his eyes scanned the crowd, and he spotted Bambam sitting in the front row, a smirk on his face, illuminated by the stage lights. Next to him was Jinyoung, another Got7 member Jackson had always been close to, silently cheering him on. A smile tugged at Jackson's lips. He stepped to the edge of the stage, addressing his fans:

"Yo, I see my brothers here tonight! Bambam and Jinyoung! Make some noise for them-it's thanks to them I'm still standing, you know."

The crowd erupted in cheers and screams. Jackson, ever the showman, winked at his friends before diving back into the raw energy of "cruel."

After the concert, Jackson joined Bambam and Jinyoung backstage, still out of breath. He couldn't believe they were there, especially Jinyoung, whom he hadn't seen in a while. Entering the lounge, he stopped in his tracks, a wide smile immediately spreading across his face.

"What are you guys doing here?! How long's it been, man?"

Jinyoung, always calm, stood up with a smile. "Too long, bro. I couldn't miss this!"

Jackson pulled him into a hug, then turned to Bambam.

"And you-seriously? You couldn't give me a heads-up?"

Bambam pulled an innocent face. "Where's the fun in that? I wanted to see your shocked face!"

Jackson burst out laughing. "Yeah, yeah, well played. But seriously, you guys don't know how much this means to me. For real."

He looked at them both, a genuine gleam in his eyes. He knew how busy their schedules were, so their presence tonight touched him deeply.

Jinyoung nodded, arms crossed, a bit more serious. "We saw you give it everything tonight. It was insane, man. Really. We couldn't miss it. We're always here to support you, like always."

Jackson smiled, feeling truly happy to see both of them there. "It gives me so much energy knowing you guys are here. It feels like it's been forever since we did something like this together. So, what do you say-wanna keep the night going? I'm throwing a little afterparty at my place. Chill, a low-key dinner."

Bambam narrowed his eyes, grinning. "Wait, wait... You're cooking or are we ordering? Because honestly, the last time you cooked..."

Jackson raised his hands, laughing. "Okay, okay, I get it! But I've improved since then, I swear. And no, I'm not cooking-a chef's handling it. Relax."