When the stars align

Stars and shadows

The music enveloped the arena, a wave of sound crashing over the crowd. Their cheers grew louder, their energy palpable as we moved flawlessly into the rhythm of the performance. I let the melody guide me, my body moving instinctively, my voice carrying the emotions I couldn't put into words. This stage was my sanctuary, my escape-but tonight, every note felt like it carried her name.

The stage lights burned brightly, but my thoughts flickered like candlelight, intimate and persistent. During a brief pause between songs, I found myself glancing up again, catching a glimpse of the faint stars still visible beyond the high beams of the stadium. They seemed to wink at me knowingly as if they understood the tug-of-war between my heart and my reality.

"Focus, Tae," Namjoon's voice cut through the haze, steady and grounding. He clapped a hand on my shoulder as we prepared for the next set. I nodded, offering him a faint smile, but my heart still carried the weight of unspoken words.

The next song began-one of our soft songs. The melody wrapped around me like a familiar embrace, and my voice found its home in the lyrics.

They were about love, distance, and the longing to be understood. As I sang, my eyes scanned the crowd, searching, hoping for something I couldn't quite define. She wasn't here, of course. She was worlds away. And yet, in the sea of faces, I imagined hers, imagined her listening, imagined her smile.

The final notes hung in the air, and the arena erupted in applause. I bowed, letting the crowd's energy wash over me, but inside, I was still with her, in that quiet place where only we existed.

The final encore began, a song about hope and new beginnings. As we sang, I felt lighter, as if I had finally come to terms with the truth: loving her didn't mean possessing her. It meant cherishing her, celebrating her growth, and finding inspiration in her journey-even from afar.

When the last note faded and the lights dimmed, I stood there for a moment, staring out at the crowd. My heart was still heavy, but it no longer felt like a burden. we waved goodbye and left the stage.

Backstage, the buzz of the concert still lingered in the air. The crew moved swiftly, packing equipment and exchanging congratulations. The members were lively, their post-performance energy spilling into light-hearted teasing and laughter. I smiled and joined in, but a part of me remained detached, still tied to the quiet daydream of the night.

I wandered to a quieter corner of the backstage area, slipping away unnoticed. The adrenaline of the stage was giving way to a deep, quiet ache. I pulled out my phone instinctively, scrolling to the familiar chat with San. Her last message was still there, simple yet meaningful: "Good luck tonight. You'll be amazing as always."

I stared at the words for a moment, the corners of my lips twitching into a faint smile. She had a way of grounding me, even from afar. I typed a quick reply, my fingers hesitating before hitting send. "Thanks, San. Wish you were here to see it." It was honest, perhaps too honest, but I didn't care. I needed to say it, even if she might never truly understand what I meant.

The cool night air greeted me as I stepped outside, away from the noise and the crowd. Ford Field stood majestic under the stars, its empty seats a stark contrast to the energy that had filled them just hours ago. I looked up at the sky again, the stars a little clearer now, twinkling as if they knew my secret.

I let my mind drift back to her-San, the girl who had become so much more than a friend. She was miles away, living a life I could only glimpse through her words. She belonged to someone else now, her future already mapped out.

My phone vibrated in my hand, breaking the silence. It was her reply.

"I wish I could've been there too. It must've been magical."