SHADOWS OF TRUTH (JENNIE KIM FANFICTION)

32. Before the Curtain Rises

Y/N woke to the faint sound of rain pattering against the window. Her bed felt far too large without Apollo sprawled across it, his absence leaving a noticeable emptiness. She sighed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the upcoming tour pressing down on her.

Her thoughts drifted to the past few days—preparing for the tour, the hospital visits, the cautious steps she was taking with Jennie. She felt like she was on a tightrope, trying to balance her emotions, her career, and her relationships without falling.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, interrupting her thoughts. She reached for it, her eyes squinting at the screen. A text from Karina:

"Don't tell me you're still in bed, lazy."

Y/N smirked, hitting the call button instead of replying. The phone rang only once before Karina answered.

"Wow," Karina began, her tone playful. "The girl who's too cool for everyone decides to call me first thing in the morning? I must be special."

"Don't let it get to your head," Y/N replied, her voice raspy from sleep. She rolled over, staring out at the gray sky. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing as dramatic as your morning brooding routine, I'm sure," Karina quipped. "Let me guess—you're lying there staring at the ceiling, contemplating the meaning of life?"

Y/N chuckled softly. "Something like that. Actually, I'm thinking about how weird it is not having Apollo around."

"Aww, is the 'girl crush of the nation' missing her dog?" Karina teased.

"Shut up," Y/N shot back, though a smile crept onto her face. "It's too quiet without him. My mom texted me last night saying he's already taken over the couch."

"Of course he has. Like mother, like son," Karina joked, her tone light but affectionate.

Y/N let out a breath, leaning her head against the headboard. "It's not just Apollo. Everything feels... off. The tour starts tomorrow, and I should be excited, but I don't know. It's a lot."

Karina's voice softened, her teasing giving way to sincerity. "You're carrying a lot right now, Y/N. That's not nothing. But I've seen you handle so much before. You've got this."

Y/N swallowed the lump in her throat, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the blanket. "Thanks. I guess I just feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions. The fans, the team, the PR stuff—it's like I can't even breathe without it meaning something to someone else."

"Then screw what they think," Karina said firmly. "Do this for you. You're an amazing performer, and you deserve to enjoy it. Just promise me you'll actually take care of yourself out there."

"I'll try," Y/N murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a brief silence before Karina broke it with a playful tone. "And by the way, I expect daily updates. I need proof you're not just sitting backstage sulking."

Y/N laughed, the sound breaking through the heaviness in her chest. "Fine. I'll send you pictures of all the glamorous catering food and Apollo's fan mail."

"Perfect. I'll frame them," Karina replied. "And maybe next time we talk, you'll actually sound like you're excited for this tour instead of dreading it like some moody antihero."

"Maybe," Y/N said, her lips curving into a small smile. "You always make me feel better, you know that?"

"It's my charm," Karina quipped. "Alright, I'll let you go. But seriously, Y/N—don't forget how incredible you are. You're going to kill it out there."