My Only Hope

Chapter 4

I don't know how long I cried there, alone in the darkness. When I heard the music begin, I picked myself up off of the floor and wiped my tears away. I had to watch the concert. I could make things right afterward, but there was no way I was going to miss his performance.

I made my way to the sound booth that had a clear view of the stage. Quietly, I tucked myself in the back and watched the concert, hoping no one would ask me to do anything. Luckily they didn't.

The concert was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. All of them were such talented, amazing performers. The crowd went absolutely insane for them. I truly understood why they were called an Army now. It was a little overwhelming, but mostly inspiring.

My eyes followed J-Hope in every song, every dance, every interaction with the audience. He was born for this. Every move he made was pure grace, every smile he flashed the audience was brilliant, and every line he rapped was smooth as silk. If I wasn't already head-over-heels in love with him before, I would be now.

All too soon, the concert was over. They all stood on that platform, the one where J-Hope had saved my life. A cloud of dramatic fog crept around their feet and the platform lowered, making the group slowly disappear into the fog and out of view.

I raced out of the booth. I had to find J-Hope! I had to explain!

But by the time I fought my way backstage, the group was long gone.

"Where did they go?" I asked a worker.

He looked me up and down skeptically.

"Come on, man, I work here! I have to talk to one of them!" I was desperate, pleading.

He sighed. "Whatever, just don't tell anyone I told you. They went out the back to their bus."

"Thank you!" I ran toward the door. There was a huge, black bus idling just outside. But my uncle was standing there, shutting the door. He turned around and I almost ran right into him.

"Uncle! I need to get on the bus."

His eyes grew wide. "Are you crazy? You can't get on there!"

"Please!" I begged him. "I have to talk to J-Hope!"

He rolled his eyes at me. "Not you too. Don't make me call security on you with all those other Army crazies. Besides, J-Hope already left."

My blood turned to ice. "He what?"

"He took off in a car with one of the younger ones, I think it was Junkook? I don't know, they just took off as soon as the concert was over. You're too late." He shook his head at me and walked away.

I walked up to the bus and slumped against it with my head in my hands. I couldn't believe he left already before I could explain.

Above me, I heard a window slide open a bit. I was too depressed to even look up. Fragments of conversation floated down to me.

"Where is Hobi?" I heard one of them ask. I jerked my head up to listen.

"He's... I think he went for a drive or something. He was really upset. He even messed up one of the dances," murmured RM.

"What? But he never messes up dances. Is he okay?" Jimin asked.

I heard RM sigh. "I think he'll be okay. But I've never seen him this upset. I'm worried about him."

I pushed away from the bus and headed back inside, unable to bear listening to any more. "Me too," I whispered and wiped away a tear.