Playing With Bullets

Chapter 8: Second Thoughts

I sullenly laid in the waiting room, a pillow in my lap, earbuds in my ears. The photography would be over soon. Afterwards everyone would leave and I would never see V again, except maybe on television.

The others began to come in after their shoots were finished. I put the pillow back and turned off the music. Then I forced a soft smile at each of my members. Though my heart was still burdened, I wasn't the type to show my depression.

I studied Rosé from the corner of my eye. She didn't seem any different than she had before the shoot. No giggling, or pink cheeks. How could she be so unphazed when she had been so close to Kim Taehyung? Though I tried to push out the thought, I enviously wished I had the same elegance she had.

Lisa came in last, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright. I curiously glanced towards her too.

"Why are you so happy?", I asked.

"Huh? Oh, you weren't there.", She giggled, "Well, if you're really really curious Jichu unnie, I got to be Jungkook's partner in the shoot."

I stiffled a laugh. Lisa was so young and inexperienced. Little did she know how rude Jungkook actually was, but I couldn't tell her the truth. I'd let her dream for now.

"Lisa, I hate to say this, but shouldn't you focus on your career over boys?", Jennie asked while changing out of her outfit.

Lisa stopped her daydreaming to focus on Jennie's question. She lost the sparkle in her eyes at the apprehension. It's like she was suddenly pulled back into reality.

"Well, I can have relationships outside of my work, can't I?", She innocently asked.

Rose shook her head, joining in on the conversation. "Hypothetically, it would affect both groups if you were to date another idol. Even just dating an average person could get you into trouble."

"Idols have dated before though.", Lisa responded while twiddling with her thumbs.

"True, but that's usually after they've been established, and they try not to let those kind of things get out if possible.", Rosé explained.

"There's more to it then just that.", Jennie added.

We all looked to Jennie for her words of wisdom, which tended to be more like words of wrong-and-dumb.

"Boyfriends are like plants. If you don't water them with affection, they'll die."

"What?", Lisa mumbled.

"I think what Jennie's trying to say.", Rose butt in hurriedly, "Is you need to dedicate a lot of time to a relationship, and I don't think you have that time."

"Don't invest in them. The relationship will die after a couple months anyway."

Rose ignored Jennie and patted Lisa on the back.

"I know it may be hard to ignore your feelings for someone, but we're pretty much married to our work. It may seem lonely, but you should've expected this."

I had been silent as I listened to my other members talk. At first I had agreed with them. It was exactly what I needed to hear. That is, until Rose said we would have to rely on each other.

"You mean I'm going to be stuck with you three the rest of my life?", I interjected.

Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa looked at me. None responded. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"No way. You're wrong. I refuse to be single with you three and Jennie's dead cats for the rest of my life!"

"Nobody said-", Rose started.