Fate by Any Other Name

Part 1

This was going to be a year to remember. It had just begun, but something was telling me I'd remember it forever. You see, I'm your typical K-Pop fan... the kind who loves their groups and biases more than anything, but has never had the money to attend a single concert. My bias group was Stray Kids and they were coming to my town!! I had to go, I just had to! Not only that, but if this is the ONLY chance I'll ever get to see them or possibly ANY K-Pop group, I had to make it count. I saved up all I could and broke the bank to score myself a High Touch floor ticket with the funding I saved by not having to travel. I was going to be up against the stage AND get to meet them! Well, I was going to get to touch them as we were herded like cattle past them... But close enough!

Yes, this was going to be a year to remember for sure. In the years that the group has been around since their debut, I have been Changbin biased. To the point where it caused physical pain when I thought about him, but recently, something horrible has happened! The horrible thing's name is... Han Jisung. The man came out of nowhere and slapped me all across the face while running away with my heart. I feel so terrible for betraying Changbin, but he will just have to accept that he is now sharing the throne with Jisung. As if they even know I exist anyway. When it's all fun and games, it's perfectly fine to fantasize about both of them... and maybe a little Bang Chan... This group really was going to be the cause of my death one day.

Unfortunately, none of my friends were able to get High Touch tickets or ANY tickets to this show and I had no extra money for travels to theirs. Being alone would normally stop me from doing anything, but not this time. Anxiety can take a back seat. I was determined to see Stray Kids, even if it killed me. The day of the concert, I really thought I was going to die. I bounced in my seat the whole day waiting for the show. Half of it was excitement, but the other half was pure anxious fear. Once at the venue, I couldn't believe I was really here. I had done it, but continued to bounce in place standing against the stage with the other GA ticket holders, fingers nervously playing with the VIP badge that hung from my neck. This baby was my ticket to touching the guys I loved. What would I say to them as I walked by? Would I even be able to make words come out?? I guess that all depended on if I survived the performance. I refused to watch any videos from previous stops, but I had heard quite a few things from friends online. Apparently, the boys were growing nicely into men and were not as shy as they used to be. I heard tales of unbelievable body rolls, tremendous amounts of shirt lifting, ab flashing, hip thrusting and seductive glances at the audience. Lord help me if the rumors were true. I was front and center and would get a nice eye full of it all. Come for me sweet death, I welcome you.

Three hours later, the concert was over and I wasn't sure if my heart was still beating. I'm breathing, right? I can't tell. The rumors... they were more than true. So much more... I was in shock. It probably wouldn't wear off for days. Maybe even a week! Changbin fought so hard to take me back, and for a short bit, I think he might have. But Jisung was right behind him to make sure I remained his. Why do they have to hurt me so much!? I was floating along to the exit to wait in the lobby until it was time to head to the back of the venue to give the guys their send off and get my high five. What a day! Was I ever going to come down from this? I couldn't even feel my face...

JISUNG

I was a little nervous about the more aggressive tone of this tour when we first started. We were encouraged to show skin, flash the abs we had been working hard on and just be generally a little more 'naughty' on stage. Crowds were not something I was all that comfortable with, and I know that doesn't make sense for an idol or performer, but I am who I am. I love what I do, so I deal with my little phobia. I love my fans very much. I'm not afraid of them, I just sometimes get a little panicked when I'm closed in by too many people. Being on stage helps. There are people everywhere, but they are down there and I'm up in the spotlight. I get to watch them, see their love and make them happy while doing what I love. It was a nice arrangement. I would love to meet them, but the idea also terrifies me. It's too bad I can't just meet them one or two at a time.