We can't

3

Their gaze were transfixed onto each other's forms. He offered her a smile that quickly fell. He didn't know what was happening, he couldn't comprehend as to what he was feeling and the thoughts he was having. He always admired Irene; even from a far at award functions and other events they were forced to attend. It felt natural to look for her among a crowd and watch her when she was completely unaware. His got7 family took the piss out of him for it always saying he had a crush on her and in some senses they were right. He did. But then he didn't know much about her conversations were short and abrupt and hard to come by. They lived in the world of k pop but on other sides, constantly hitting and missing each other.

Irene tried to remove her gaze from his. She let him in accidentally his aura completely captivating her and holding her hostage. She was enslaved to the thought of him holding her in his strong arms lowering his head and taking steps till they crashed the wall, she wanted that. The unknown feeling felt ambiguous to her, in the same way the foundation of their new bond felt ambiguous. She was drawn to him in ways words failed to describe. And she hated that. For so long she kept men at bay; ensuring that they couldn't hurt her in away possible and completely destroy her soul. She feared being hurt as past experiences taught her harsh and unforgiving lessons. She knew she needed to withdraw from Jackson not only for her own selfish reason but to make sure that she didn't hurt him either. A lump in her throat rose as she finally wretched her gaze from his turning around to face the table in front of them gripping it till her knuckles went white. Jackson's brows furrowed in confusion at her sudden action, he approached her about to lay a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

A strong voice belonging to one of the producers boomed calling "Irene its time for your break... the boys will take over this next segment and then your performance will follow." Irene nodded picking up her cards and her blanket pushing past Jackson in a sense of urgency. His eyes lowered as she came close to reach and grab her cards. He instantly knew she was trying to avoid him, her lowered gaze and slight shaking of her hands told him everything he needed to know. He tried desperately to try and get a dying word out "Ire-" he was cut off by her quickly barging past him pushing him back slightly. Her feet hauled her off the stage as Jackson turned watching in a sense of agony. His jaw tensed and San E came placing an arm over him pulling him "Lol Bro that was cold right? She's such a bitch. She has no manners at all. It must be because she thinks she so big." He laughed, as Jackson took his arm roughly of himself before pulling him by the collar forward. "Shut the fuck up. What the hell do you know about her? She has no manners you say well what about you, directing inappropriate lyrics at her, and constantly making her feel uncomfortable. You have no right to point at her character and by god if you say that again or even take Irene's name in your mouth I'll hurt you in more ways than you knew existed." Jackson roughly shoved him back, fans slightly wondering what happened, Jackson quickly took care of the situation helping him to his side and jokingly saying into the mic " Yo San E seems like you have had too much to drink." A series of laughter broke out as Jackson's glare met San E eyes. He gulped slightly causing Jackson to smirk. Little did he know that Irene had witnessed the entire exchange. Her ice heart wanted to melt, as she struggled to remain unfazed, she walked back up picking up the other blanket she had, clumsily dropping it on the floor. Jackson saw something fall and dropped down to pick it up his hand brushing against another. He looked to see Irene inches away from him, her breathing hitched as their eyes locked and hands touched. She wanted to stay a hostage but she knew she needed to stop this before anything could progress. She wretched her hand out of his feeling the last moment of him tense at her reaction. They both stood Irene making the move to run. She managed to get off the stage but her forearm was grasped lightly; she was pulled into his chest her hands resting on his chest at the sudden movement that caused her to stumble into him further. Her heart thumped violently against its cage in attempts to break free. She fought against the arms clasped on her waist her gaze falling to the side avoiding his hazel eyes. He softly moved one arm his hand under her chin gently forcing her to look him in eyes. " what's wrong? Why are you running away from me all of sudden." She thought for a moment knowing she would have to handle this tactically. "I'm tired. I also need to rehearse before I perform so I need to go." His eyes studied her knowing she was lying. Taking his distraction to her advantage she broke from his embrace. As she turned to finally run his voice caused her to stand rooted "why are you doing this? Why are you suddenly pulling back?" Her eyes closed in pain, her breaths becoming ragged. " We are strangers Jackson, we don't need to let each other in that's not part of the job." " Bull shit. You're scared because you think that something is gonna happen. Your the one wanting to get to know me but stopping yourself which I don't understand. So talk to me and tell me." Her eyes grew moist "