The alarm buzzed softly, and Raya's eyes fluttered open, catching the first warm streaks of morning light filtering through the curtains. She took a deep breath, savoring the start of a new day, and turned to silence the alarm on her phone. But, as usual, the first thing her eyes drifted to wasn't the clock-it was the series of posters on her wall. There, right above her bed, were the smiling faces of BTS, with Jungkook's picture taking a special spot in the center. His gaze, soft yet intense, seemed to meet hers, and a familiar warmth filled her chest.
Raya had discovered BTS, and Jungkook in particular, in 2020. She still remembered that day vividly-seeing them for the first time on TV, captivated by their music, their energy, and, most of all, by Jungkook's angelic voice and gentle smile. Back then, she'd been going through a tough time, feeling like no one truly understood her. But there was something about him, about the way he sang and the sincerity in his eyes, that had touched her heart in a way nothing else ever had.
As she lay in bed, her fingers drifted to her phone. The screen lit up, and immediately she tapped on her gallery, scrolling through the saved pictures of BTS and Jungkook. Each image was like a reminder of her dream, her secret motivation. She opened her social media, checking for any new updates from the group. There was nothing yet, but just seeing their posts, even older ones, made her feel connected.
"Raya! Breakfast's ready!" Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts, and she quickly hopped out of bed, slipping on her slippers as she made her way down the narrow hallway of their modest house. As she passed her parents' room, she caught a glimpse of her dad already in his uniform, reading the morning paper. He looked up and gave her a nod of acknowledgment.
"Good morning, sweetheart," her mom greeted as Raya entered the kitchen, her voice warm and comforting. A soft aroma of toast and freshly brewed tea filled the air. Her mother placed a plate in front of her, piled with toast, eggs, and a side of sliced fruit.
"Morning, Ma," she replied, settling down at the table. "Dad," she added, glancing at her father with a small smile.
Her dad lowered the newspaper, nodding with a slight smile. "All set for school? Just a few more months until your board exams, right?"
Raya nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Yep! I'm getting there." She was in class 10 now, a crucial year for students in her country, and the pressure to excel was ever-present. But Raya had a dream that motivated her to push through everything, even the parts of life that felt like they weighed her down.
"Good, good," her father replied, giving a nod of approval before he turned back to his paper.
As Raya ate, her thoughts wandered back to her posters, to Jungkook and the world he belonged to-a world that seemed so far from her reality. She often wondered what it would be like to meet him in person, even just for a second. Would he understand how much he had changed her life? Would he know how his voice had comforted her on the darkest days? Sometimes, she'd stay up late imagining how it would feel to tell him in person, to let him know just how much he meant to her.
"Are you in another world again, Raya?" her mother teased gently, noticing her faraway look. "Thinking about that idol of yours?"
Raya blushed, focusing back on her plate. "Maybe..." she said with a shy smile. Her mom always said she had a dreamy nature, and perhaps she was right. But this dream, this love she had for Jungkook, felt like it was part of who she was.
Her mother chuckled, giving her a knowing look. "Well, just don't let your dreams distract you too much. You have a bright future ahead, my girl."
After finishing her breakfast, Raya quickly gathered her things. She slipped her phone into her pocket and reached for her school bag, casting one last glance at the wall of posters in her room before she left. As she looked at Jungkook's face, she whispered softly, "One day... one day, I'll be there."
She stepped out of her room, her fingers brushing the edge of the poster as if in a silent promise, before heading out.
The school bus stop was a short walk from her house. She stood there, waiting, scrolling through a few more pictures of BTS on her phone. She knew she probably looked like any other girl with a celebrity crush, but to her, Jungkook wasn't just an idol. He was her source of hope, her light on dark days. When the world felt heavy, his voice, his smile, and the endless hours of content she'd watched over the years reminded her of all the reasons to keep going.
As the bus pulled up, Raya tucked her phone away, taking a deep breath before stepping on. Her heart was calm, yet it beat with a determination-a quiet promise that one day, she would reach her dream, no matter what it took.
She didn't know how, or when, but as she took her seat in the crowded bus, she whispered to herself, "One day, Jungkook, I'll be standing there in the crowd, and maybe-just maybe-you'll see me, too."
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Tomorrow
Fanfiction"Raya, why dream so big? Do you think anyone will really notice you?" Raya glanced at her BTS poster, a quiet determination in her eyes. "It's not about being noticed. It's about proving to myself that I'm capable. They may be stars, but they're als...
