Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 32

I gazed out the car window, watching the trees blend into a blur of green and brown. The charming log cabin we had just left felt like a fading dream, the laughter of my friends gradually disappearing as we headed back to the city. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the wave of sadness that threatened to overwhelm me. I knew I would miss this place—the nights around the bonfire, the endless silly games, and those cozy moments with Lisa, sharing secrets and snacks under a blanket and how Taehyung and I would quietly slip out of our tents in the dead of night.

Yet, there was something else weighing on my mind, making the thought of returning to reality even more bittersweet. Kai. Ever since he confessed his feelings for me, I had been unsure of how to handle it. I loved Taehyung—no, I am in love with him—but why did Kai's confession leave me feeling so uneasy? I wasn't in love with Kai anymore ..
No I wasn't..

The guys took turns when driving, and whenever Taehyung was behind the wheel, he would sneak glances at me, a cute smile plastered on his face that made my heart flutter even more. I loved how easy it was to be with him, how he always knew how to make me feel special.

I stole a glance at Taehyung, who was sitting now beside me, his warm smile lighting up the space between us. He noticed me looking and leaned over to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. A giggle escaped my lips, and suddenly, the clouds in my mind began to clear a little. 

Just a little. Fortunately, Kai wasn't in the van. If he had been, I don't think I would have been alright. Instead, I was now concentrating on my boyfriend, Taehyung.

The car had an eight-seat arrangement , and the ride was filled with laughter and chatter, with my friends joking and teasing one another.. In the seat right in front of us, Lisa and Mingyu were deeply engaged in a lively argument over whose turn it was to select the next song as usual.. 

"I'm going to pick the songs," Jisoo announced from the passenger seat.

"No way!" we all shouted in unison. We were well aware of Jisoo's unusual taste in music. One moment she could be playing R&B, then suddenly switch to Bollywood, and after a few tracks, she'd throw in some Afrobeat.

"What? I'm hurt!" she replied, pouting in a way that made her look adorable.

"Sorry, but the truth hurts—your playlist is terrible," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. Fortunately, everyone else agreed, except for Taehyung, of course.

He was always like that, reluctant to speak bluntly, especially if it might come off as harsh. That was just his nature.

"That's not true," he said, giving me a pointed look before turning back to Jisoo.

"You're only saying that because you both have the same taste," Rosé chimed in from the back, laughing.

"You're mistaken, Rosie. My boyfriend's taste is great—I'm proof of that," I said playfully, pretending to be offended. He chuckled beside me.

"Well, that is true," I heard her mutter, and we all laughed.

After a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors, we decided to play a full album by Lana Del Rey. It was perfect for our road trip, especially since we were in the countryside.

We cranked up the volume from the playlist, the music pouring into the air like rays of sunshine, and we took turns singing the lyrics and sometimes just sang ot together. With every chorus and every laugh, my worries faded away like the scenery passing by outside.

"I'm so hungry, let’s stop at a drive-thru," Namjoom complained from the drivers seat, and we all agreed since we had run out of snacks and food at the house after leaving without a proper breakfast.