The Nearness Of You

4

Jinnie

"Get ready, Jinn! You're up next!" Damien, our sort of production head, shouted at me as he took a peek inside the dressing room. I was startled and noticed that I've been holding my brush. I believe I was about to apply some powder blush on my cheeks but I guess I kind of like, zoned out. Again. This thing keeps on happening to me for the past few days. It's no longer normal.

"Alright, I'm almost done!" I try to smile at Damien and gave him a thumbs up sign. He left quickly and I continued on with applying some color in my cheeks, then afterwards, I stare at my reflection in the mirror as soon I was finished. I look good. But all of a sudden my heart pumped wildly and it made my eyebrows creased. I felt uneasy and I don't even know why.

"Hey, Jinnie." Someone whispered in my ear. It was Alyssa, another performer in this bar who sings bossa nova. Alyssa flashes me a friendly smile. She'll be performing right after my set.

"Oh, hi there, Alyssa." I returned her smile. She's one of the great singers in this bar and I like her. She's still young, probably in her early twenties, and is very friendly. No one couldn't help not to like her because she's a jolly girl and she's friends with almost everyone here. "Good luck on your perf later. I know it's going to be great." I tell her.

"Jeez, thanks, Jinnie girl! But I'm more thrilled to watch you!" Alyssa exclaimed in delight and clapped her hands. "I'm you're number one fan you know?" She chuckles. "Anyways, I was gonna tell you that there's this cute guy who kept on asking about you. He'd been here for the past week, every single night, straight. Says he wants to see you. Some of our staff became familiar with him already and told him your schedule. I just saw him awhile ago, he's part of the crowd."

"A guy? Who?" I have a bad feeling about this.

"A cute guy. Tall, chinky eyes, fair skin, nice lips, in his mid twenties perhaps." Alyssa shrugged her shoulders. "Says he approached you the last time he saw you perform."

I wasn't wrong. It was him. No wonder I went uneasy all of a sudden. It's because of him. It's because of his presence. I must've felt it but it wasn't strong enough for me to know that it was him.

"Do you know him?" Alyssa asks me looking curious. Before I could answer, Damien called for me again and I had to excuse myself. I told Alyssa we'll talk more about it later and then stood up and went towards the stage. Once I'm in front of the audience I scanned the crowd discreetly to look for Seungri. I spotted him sitting alone on one of the tables at the back wearing black long sleeves. I met his gaze but instantly looked away. I suddenly felt like a teeneage girl who became shy because she just saw her crush. Awkward.

I stood there and started to sing with the remaining posture I have. I started with Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why" followed by "Come Away With Me" and "Shoot The Moon". I allowed some of the costumers to request songs and I finished up with the song "Nightingale". I must admit it was very hard for me to perform onstage aware that Seungri was watching me intently the whole time. I find it hard to focus but decided I should do my thing flawlessly. Or else it would be a disaster. I'm thankful though, that I pulled it through.

I sat again on my usual table right after that night's performance of mine. I have a strong feeling that he would approach me again, and my thoughts are telling me to leave and don't entertain him but my legs won't move. Since when can't I control my limbs? This is insane. I find it in myself that I want to stay so that he can come near me.

"Hi, Jinnie."

I. Was. Not. Wrong.

"Hey there." I smile at Seungri as he came close to my table. He looks gorgeous and dashing, same as the first time I met him. "Have a seat." I motioned for him to sit on the chair in front of me. I saw his face looked surprised but it lightened up as soon as he realized what I just told him. He smiles at me and sat happily.

"Another great performance." He tells me with eyes full of admiration.

"Thank you, good sir." I answer humbly.

Seungri grins at me, "I told you to just call me Seungri."

"I'm sorry, I don't think I have the right to do that. I'm just an entertainer."

"Yes, yes. But I want us to be friends. So could we just drop the formalities?" He smirks.

"You want us to be friends?" My, my.. You don't know what you're getting yourself into Jinnie.. Don't say yes.

Seungri laughed, "Did I stutter or something? Yes, I want us to be friends. Well, if that's okay with you?"

Jinnie, no. Stop right now.

"Yes. I guess we could." I smile at him. I'm such a weakling.

A corner of his lip twitched into a boyish grin, "That's good to hear." Seeing him that way made my heart beat wildly. Composure, Jinnie.. Composure..

We stare at each other's eyes for awhile not until I remembered something. Yesung. In a few minutes he'll be arriving here soon. I looked around and try to feel his presence, try to sense if he's still far from here or almost near.

"Jinn? What's wrong? Something bothering you?"

I turn to see Seungri looking at me worriedly. He had no idea I'm getting myself in deep trouble because of him. But what the heck? I want to be with him. We must leave this place and talk somewhere else before Yesung could interfere.

I stood up and grabbed his hand, "Let's go some place else where we could talk a little more private." I tell him a bit urgently. I saw Seungri looked slightly baffled and confused but afterwards nodded his head and stood up. I walked immediately towards the exit and he just followed my lead. We have to go, Yesung would be here at any minute. And before he could sense that I'm gone, I'll make sure Seungri and I are far away from his reach.

(Hello dear readers! What can you say about this chapter hmm? Tell me your comments pretty please! I want to hear from you! And if you like this story don't hesitate to share it with friends and especially vote for it. It would really mean a lot to me. *hugs* Thanks so much!)