𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕥 | 𝘛𝘢𝘦𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘯

14

The camera panned to the curtains as they unveiled. Their red and gold patterns were nothing in elegance and beauty to the man which sat before the piano. His raven black hair looked sleek and well cared for. Earrings dangled from his lobes, swishing about as he dipped his head to the side, lost in thought as his fingers brushed the keys.

Yoongi looked angelic. His smooth, soft caramel skin shone beneath the lights, and his eyes glittered due to the sequins embroidered to his black coat. The red sash around his waist hugged his form tightly. He sat, poise, and unbothered.

The crowd fell silent as his slender fingers eased into the keys, slowly bringing about a beautiful melody. Everything was composed beautifully: the music, and how Yoongi appeared.

I stared at the television screen in awe at my mentor, mouth agape. I glanced over to see Jimin with a similar expression. Our eyes were glued to the television the entire time Yoongi graced the stage.

The melodious sound of elegant music, feeling soulful yet so surreal, flooded through my body. Where his fingers hit the keys, I could feel it synesthetically. It reminded me of my performance a few nights ago. The thought crossed my mind that this was soon to be me if the pieces fell right.

Upon the ending of the performance, Yoongi stood and bid the audience a bow before exiting the stage swiftly. Jimin peered over at me, his eyes gleaming. "Taetae! That could be you someday!"

"Ah Jiminie, I was thinking the same thing." The words melted from my mouth as I gazed into the daydream which could be my future. I felt myself slipping from reality into the depths of my creativity when a hand briefly made contact with my shoulder. I peered up to see Namjoon smiling warmly down at me.

"Taehyungie, isn't he spectacular?" I nodded my head, watching as Namjoon sat between Jimin and I. Instinctively I clutched his hand softly, resting my cheek to his arm. "We're going to see him again tomorrow for coffee, and it's strange to me. He looks so angelic and unreal on the stage. Outside of it though, he's a completely normal person. His duality is astounding..." I trailed off, picturing what it must feel like to lead two separate personas.

As Jimin stood and stepped into the kitchen, he twirled, "Taetae! Are you gonna be the same way when you become that big?" He stopped himself from spinning by placing his hands to the fridge, which the thus opened, pulling out a bottle of tea.

I blinked as I thought. I hadn't considered that I might lose some of myself if I became famous. Would I have to polish myself? I looked down, immense in my thoughts. Namjoon's grasp on my hand tightened and he responded for me, "Inevitably, idols and performers of all sorts have to change themselves for on stage. You need to be flawless and perfect. In more ways than one. This includes your physical appearance too. So Taehyung will most likely have to maintain a certain weight, and certain personality out in public. But then again, who knows what the future contains." Namjoon grinned toward Jimin, and I watched as Jimin giggled while taking a sip of his tea.

"Okay...I think I'm going to lie down to rest for tomorrow," I shook away my lingering thoughts and stood from the sofa, letting go of Namjoon's hand. Jimin bid me a goodnight and I left for bed.

~~

What if you aren't perfect enough? What if you don't meet their standards?

I pushed back the intrusive thoughts and forced myself to change the topic. I thought about Namjoon and Jimin. I could hear them talking in the living room. I wanted to know what they were saying, without being too obvious. I turned off the fan which had been on in our bedroom and lied in bed, silent. I could hear the two as they spoke quietly.

~

"So... you worry, Namjoon?" Jimin asked, his voice held an edge of unease. Namjoon furrowed his brows, rubbing circles onto his cheeks with his fingers gently.

"I worry a lot. I know he's very strong willed, and passionate about this, but I worry. I fear that big media will get to him, o-or that the company will have him doing what he doesn't want to." Namjoon's voice faltered as he tried to maintain a neutral tone.

Jimin brought a hand up to Namjoon's and clasped it gently. He peered into the elder's eyes, smiling softly. "Have faith in him. If he can make it this far, what is there that he can't do?"

~~~~