Chasing Tomorrow

chapter 2

Raya stepped off the bus and walked up the steps to her school, the familiar building buzzing with life as students streamed in from all directions. She made her way through the corridors, spotting her friends gathered near their usual spot by the lockers. They waved her over, each face lighting up at her approach.

"Hey, Raya!" Lili greeted with a big smile, her voice lively as always. Lili was the loudest of their group, the one who kept the energy high. Raiza gave a small wave, leaning against the lockers with her usual relaxed expression, while Kren and Josh were already deep in conversation about some latest online trend.

"Morning, guys!" Raya grinned, joining the circle.

Jake, her best friend since childhood, was the last to arrive, a bit out of breath as he jogged over. "Barely made it," he panted. "Did anyone finish the math homework? I struggled with those last two problems."

Kren laughed, shaking his head. "You're asking the wrong person, Jake. Math is my worst subject."

Raya laughed along with them. "I actually managed to get it done! I can help you out at lunch if you need."

Jake shot her a grateful look. "You're a lifesaver, Raya."

As they made their way to class, the conversation shifted to lighter topics-Raiza started talking about a new movie she'd seen over the weekend, Lili complained about how long her favorite TV show was taking to release new episodes, and Josh and Kren playfully argued over which sports team had better chances this season.

Raya loved these moments. Even though her friends weren't ARMYs like her, she felt comfortable with them. They were all close enough that they didn't always need to talk about BTS, and she could enjoy just being a high school girl, laughing, gossiping, and sometimes even debating over the silliest things.

They arrived at their first class, and Raya took her seat by the window. The day unfolded in the usual rhythm of classes-history, literature, and a lively science class where everyone seemed more interested in making jokes than actually focusing on the lesson. At one point, Jake nudged her, passing her a doodle he'd drawn of their strict science teacher with a mustache added to her face, and she had to stifle her laughter to avoid getting caught.

Finally, lunch arrived, and they all gathered at their usual table in the cafeteria. Lili pulled out a homemade sandwich, while Raiza revealed a container packed with rice and curry.

Jake, sitting beside Raya, leaned in. "So, Raya, tell me, any new BTS updates?"

Raya's face lit up. "Well, actually, yes! There's a rumor going around about their next album release. But I don't want to bore you guys with all that," she added with a small laugh, noticing Kren's exaggerated sigh.

"Hey, it's fine!" Jake assured her. "We know you're passionate. It's pretty cool, actually."

Josh rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, we all know that the way to your heart is through BTS talk."

They laughed, and for a few moments, the focus shifted to other topics, like the latest school drama and an upcoming event the school was hosting. They made plans to meet up over the weekend, maybe to catch a movie or hang out at Jake's place.

After lunch, they headed to their afternoon classes. Raya wasn't particularly fond of math, but she found it easier when she sat near Jake, who often shared his notes or explained things she didn't quite understand. Math class that day was more manageable, though she caught herself daydreaming a few times, thinking about her dream to attend a BTS concert someday.

By the end of the school day, Raya felt the usual mix of exhaustion and contentment that came with spending time with her friends. She waved goodbye to everyone and hopped back on the bus for the ride home.

Back home by five, she greeted her mom, who was preparing tea in the kitchen. "Welcome back, sweetie. How was school?" her mom asked as she poured a cup of tea for Raya.

"It was good," Raya replied, sinking into a chair. "Jake almost got us in trouble with his doodles, though."

Her mom laughed, handing her a plate of biscuits. "You have good friends."

Raya nodded, smiling. "Yeah, they're the best."

After finishing her snack, she headed to her room to freshen up. She changed into her comfortable clothes, lay down on her bed, and closed her eyes, intending just to rest for a moment. But before she knew it, she'd drifted off into a peaceful nap.

When she woke up, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow across her room. She stretched, feeling refreshed, and decided it was time to hit the books. Her board exams were a few months away, and she couldn't afford to slack off.

For the next couple of hours, she focused on her studies, flipping through textbooks, taking notes, and going over math problems. Every now and then, her eyes would drift to the poster on her wall of Jungkook, his face a silent reminder of her dream. She imagined herself meeting him someday, telling him how his voice had inspired her to keep pushing forward.

Finally, as the clock ticked closer to dinnertime, she packed up her books and made her way to the kitchen, where her parents were already seated.

Dinner was a simple affair, filled with the usual discussions about the day. Her dad asked about her studies, and her mom filled her in on family news. Raya felt grateful for these moments, for the small yet meaningful connections she had with her family.

After dinner, she returned to her room, where she spent the rest of the night winding down with some music and a bit of social media. She scrolled through pictures of BTS, her heart feeling light as she listened to their music, humming along to her favorite songs.

Finally, as midnight approached, she turned off her phone, her eyes feeling heavy. She settled into bed, her last thoughts drifting to the posters on her wall.

With a contented sigh, she whispered to herself, "One step closer, Jungkook. Just one step at a time."

And with that thought, she drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day her world would collide with his.