Stirring The Soul

Chapter 20

While Jungkook returns the trophy, you walk onto the stage and carefully open the piano lid. You tentatively start to play on the keys to hear what they sound like and then continue with a simple piece. When you're done playing, you hear someone clapping. You turn in surprise to see Mr Brown standing in the aisle between the seats, beaming at you. You are always happy to see him and you quickly walk over to where he is, greeting him with a friendly hug. "Mr Brown, it's so nice to see you again," you say.

"Well, it's nice to hear you tinker on the piano after such a long time. How long has it been? Over 10 years? How have you been Anna? How is it working out with Jungkook?" he asks.

"It's going really well, Mr Brown. Thank you for recommending me to tutor such a gifted person! His musical ability is way above anything I've heard before. It's lucky he chose this Academy to develop his skills."

"I'm glad you are happy tutoring him," Mr Brown replies. He beckons you to sit down in the nearby seats. At the same time, Jungkook rushes back onto the stage, looking for you, and then looks relieved when he sees you haven't disappeared.

"Jungkook, why don't you play something while I catch up with Anna," suggests Mr Brown. Jungkook is all too happy to oblige. As he starts playing, Mr Brown lowers his voice and talks to you in a serious tone. "Anna, how does Jungkook seem to you? Is he happy being here, do you think?" he asks you.

You are curious to know why Mr Brown would ask such a question. Jungkook has always been cheerful around you and you'd never even considered that he might be unhappy at the Academy. Now that you think about it, he must feel lonely without his family and friends around him. "I hadn't really thought about whether he was unhappy here because he's not said anything to me. Why?" you ask.

"Well, some of the staff have noticed that he's not been that sociable since he's been here. He's an amiable fellow and very talented, but he tends to spend his free time practising his music. For a well-known pop star, I'm surprised he hasn't surrounded himself with people to hang out with. I wonder if he's actually quite shy."

Jungkook never talks about friends or going out with them. You realise that he tends to stay at home when not at the Academy. "Is that something you're worried about Mr Brown? He seems quite comfortable with me, do you want me to talk to him?" you ask. Of course, you are not going to tell Mr Brown that your relationship with Jungkook extends beyond giving him piano lessons.

"I'd appreciate it if you kept an eye on him, Anna. He's a good kid and eager to learn. I know that you have a way with people and they tend to open up to you easily. I'm sure Jungkook will greatly benefit from being in your company.....and vice versa in fact," Mr Brown says. Is that a knowing look in his eye?

"Really? You think it would be good for me to become friends with Jungkook? He's a bit younger than my usual crowd," you say, feigning surprise and trying not to give anything away.

Mr Brown pauses and looks at you kindly. "Anna, I know how hard it was for you when you lost Mark. If I never knew what soulmates were, I did when I saw the two of you together. I know it took you a long time for you to get over his death," He pauses for a bit and then says, "It was no coincidence that I suggested you mentor Jungkook. I think you would both be good for each other," he says.

Does he know something I don't? You look at him incredulously as he hits too close to the truth.

"Right, I'd better get home before Mrs Brown tells me off for being late for 'Britain's Got Talent'," he says as he gets up to leave. Once he's gone, you walk up to the stage and stand behind Jungkook. He's so absorbed in his piece that he hasn't been paying attention to you or Mr Brown. It's weird to imagine Jungkook being without friends or people around him. You gently place a hand on his shoulder to bring him out of his trance. "Jungkook," you say tenderly.

"Oh, Noona, has Mr Brown gone? What were you both talking about?" he asks.

"We were just catching up on old times," you lie. "JK, how are you feeling about the performance coming up? It's only three weeks away. Are you feeling nervous at all?"

He turns around to hold your hands and pull you round to sit next to him. Sighing and looking down, he says, "Noona, I get so nervous when I have the spotlight on me. I worry that I will make mistakes and let people down. I can't bear to imagine not performing my best and perfectly. People expect amazing things from me so I think I put too much pressure on myself."

You stroke the back of his head and neck in comfort. "JK, people only expect amazing things because you are amazing. You have so many natural talents, but I know that you work so hard to portray those talents to the best of your ability. And what doesn't come naturally to you, you work extra hard to be your best at it. They don't call you 'Golden Maknae' for nothing, you know!" you grin broadly at him.

"Hey, how do you know about that? You've been googling me again haven't you?" he says as he narrows his eyes. "Did you find out anything else?"

"I found out that you have been amazing all your life and that everyone who knows you, loves you," you try to hide the depth of those last few words. "If people knew you like I do, you'd be so popular that I wouldn't even get a look in!"

"I have no interest in being popular, Noona, as long as you like me, that's enough. The only person I am interested in having around me, is you," he smiles at you sweetly and looks at you doe-eyed. You point a finger at him, "Hey, don't even think about it, Mister. Mr Hyde can't make an appearance now. We're here to practice and get you stage-ready. If you work hard now (slight cough), I might reward you later."