Zena's POV ------------------------------
I found myself standing in front of my closet, surrounded by a tumultuous sea of clothing that left me feeling both overwhelmed and frustrated. The pressing need for the perfect outfit to wear to the much-anticipated concert fueled my desperation. With a heavy sigh, I decided to seek guidance from Zara.
"Zara!" I called out from my room, hoping for a lifeline in my fashion dilemma. A muffled response came from the adjacent space, prompting me to repeat myself, "Can you come here for a moment?" With curiosity, her head peered around the corner, discovering me amidst the chaos of clothes. Dusty sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the fabric piles and casting shadows that added to the chaos.
Zara's cheerful voice resonated through the room as she greeted me. "Hey, Z. What's up?"
"I need your opinion. I'm stressing about what to wear to the concert tonight. I want to look cool but not come across as trying too hard. Something that showcases my unique personality and fashion sense, yet also aligns with the band's vibe. Any ideas?" I explained with a sense of urgency
Zara sifted through the array of clothes, her eyes landing on a pair of perfectly worn black cargo pants. "These are perfect for you," she declared, holding them up for me to see. "They have that edgy vibe but are also super comfortable." Next, a bright red sleeveless bodysuit with a mock neck caught her attention. "This will really accentuate your curves and add a pop of color." Black combat boots, a chunky chain necklace, grunge-inspired drop earrings, and bold red sunglasses completed the ensemble. "With these accessories, you'll definitely give off that cool rocker chick vibe," she grinned.
I beamed as I slipped into the outfit, admiring my reflection in the full-length mirror. The vibrant colors and sleek lines of the clothing accentuated my figure, making me feel bold and powerful. "You are the absolute best sister," I exclaimed with gratitude. "I know I am.", she said as she flipped her hair behind her shoulder. We both looked at each other and started laughing.
Zara embraced me tightly, a warm and reassuring hug that radiated love and excitement. "You're going to have the most incredible time tonight." Her voice overflowed with genuine enthusiasm and encouragement. "Just remember to enjoy every moment. And don't forget to take lots of pictures and tell me all about it."
With a grateful nod, I thanked her once more before swiftly grabbing my keys and wallet and making my way to the car. The sun was already starting to dip below the horizon as I drove towards the building where the highly anticipated concert was being held. As I navigated through the bustling city streets and crazy drivers, my mind buzzed with excitement and nerves, envisioning the possibilities that lay ahead. I couldn't wait to experience the band live, wondering how they would sound in person and how they would react to my presence. My thoughts raced with anticipation, contemplating the topics they might discuss and the insights I could gain from them during their interaction.
My chest buzzed with excitement as I pulled up and parked my car, arriving at the venue. I gripped my phone tightly as I approached the front where an intimidating security guard stood. He scanned my passes, giving me a curt nod before gesturing for me to continue down the hallway. A combination of excitement and nerves caused my hands to shake as I walked down the hallway. I followed the directions given by the security guard, searching for the door Felix had messaged me about earlier. With each step, the faint sound of music grew louder, urging me forward. Finally, I arrived at a door labeled "Side Entrance," just as Felix had instructed in his text. Anticipation fluttered in my stomach as I pushed open the door, revealing the massive stage where the band practiced. Their voices harmonized in perfect unison, filling the room with the energetic beats of "LALALALA." I couldn't believe I was actually here, watching them up close. I recognized each member from their music videos and albums but seeing them in person was a whole new level of awe and admiration.
I lingered at the rear of the room, hoping to disappear into the darkness as I observed their every action. I didn't want to interrupt their rehearsal with my presence. Every step, every note they sang was filled with talent and charisma.
As the last chords of the song faded away, the band erupted into cheers on stage. Their faces glistened with sweat under the bright stage lights as they took a much-needed break. While the rest of the members retreated backstage, Han, Changbin, and Bang Chan seem to remain in place to get ready to practice another song.
Felix, Seungmin, Hyunjin, Lee Know, and I.N strutted confidently to the front row of the stage and settled down in their chairs for a much-needed rest. As they took a break and observed the other three members rehearsing, their contagious grins and playful banter filled the room with joy. They laughed about their previous mistakes during practice, releasing any stress and savoring each other's company. A fond smile spread across my face as I observed them unwinding and goofing off.
Filled with a burst of bravery, I took determined steps towards the front, my heart racing in my chest with anticipation. I prayed that the group would be warm and inviting, accepting me into their circle just as Felix had earlier in the day. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I approached, my eyes scanning for the oh-so-familiar face that I had just met hours before. Felix caught sight of me instantly, and his face lit up, waving enthusiastically before rising to meet me.
"Zena!" he exclaimed joyfully, pulling me into a side hug. "I'm so happy you made it. And look at you, so fashionable and edgy." His words were accompanied by a warm hug, solidifying the welcoming atmosphere of the man before me.
With a wide smile, I threw my arms around Felix's waist and squeezed tightly. "It's so good to see you, Felix," I joyfully exclaimed, grateful for the invitation to this event. The warmth of the atmosphere enveloped the both of us as we basked in each other's company. My voice was full of genuine joy and gratitude as I added, "I couldn't be more thrilled to be here." My excitement was sincere and heartfelt.
A mischievous glint danced in Felix's eyes as he eagerly grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the front row of the stage. The bright lights illuminated his playful grin, making it impossible for me to resist following him. "Come on," he urged, "let me introduce you to the rest of the crew."
Felix waved eagerly to his bandmates as we walked towards them. He had a proud smile on his face, like he was showing off a precious trophy he had won. "Hey guys, I want you to meet my new friend, Zena. We bumped into each other at the grocery store earlier today, and I just had to invite her. She's a huge fan of our music." The other members of Stray Kids turned to face us, their faces lighting up with curiosity and interest. "Zena," Felix continued, "meet Seungmin, Hyunjin, Minho, and Jeongin."
A massive grin took over my face as I stood and excitedly waved at the members of one of my all-time favorite bands, still convinced that I must be dreaming.
A flurry of questions suddenly bombarded me, catching me off guard. Each one came at me like a speeding bullet, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and disoriented. "Where are you from?" they asked, their voices eager and curious. "What do you do for a living?" followed by "Was it hard to get your hair like that?." And then the inevitable question, "Are you single?" The onslaught of inquiries left me reeling and struggling to keep up. My mind raced as I tried to find answers that would satisfy their curiosity. It was like being caught in a tornado of conversation, with no escape in sight.
I let out a sigh, giving in to their curiosity. "Okay, okay, I'll answer your questions. I'm from the busy city of San Antonio." I motioned towards our surroundings. "During the week, I work as the head graphic and website designer for my dad's I.T. company. But on the side, I also have my own t-shirt brand. And although I don't get paid for it, I help with social media and graphics for the student ministry at my church. As for my hairstyle, yes, it was a difficult to get it to look like this. I'm just surprised I didn't fry my hair." I chuckled before answering their last question. "And yes, I am single." A smile crept onto my face as I finished, hoping that my explanation satisfied their curiosity.
Seungmin's eyes widened. "Wow, that is truly impressive. You sound like a very busy person."
I couldn't help but smile wider at the compliment. "Thank you. I normally am. I'm hardly ever home. But out of everything, though, my favorite thing is creating the t-shirts. It allows me to have free creative reign."
Intrigued by my words, Hyunjin leaned in closer and asked, "That's incredible. What kind of designs do you create?"
My eyes sparkled with pride and satisfaction as I responded, my voice filled with passion. "I was a pastor's kid growing up, and it always bothered me that there was no merchandise featuring the stories from the Old Testament. So I took it upon myself to create unique designs with messages inspired by lesser-known Bible stories." She gestured towards her phone, where a t-shirt displayed the words 'There Was Four' in bold letters, with four silhouettes in a fire. "This one is inspired by Daniel 3:25," I explained eagerly. As I scrolled through my phone, I held up another picture of a shirt adorned with the phrase 'Gideon and the Torches'. "And this one," I continued, "was inspired by Judges 7." With excitement bubbling over, I showed them pictures of my creations, passionately narrating the stories behind each design.
Minho leaned over my shoulder to look. His eyes grew wide as he took in the elaborate designs before him. "These are amazing," he exclaimed in his heavy Korean accent, grappling with his English pronunciation. "I like how everything comes together."
Hyunjin joined in, "Yeah, these don't look like your typical religious shirt. They remind me a lot of band tees. I would where these in a heartbeat". The other boys nodding their heads in agreement.
I smiled with pride, my hard work and creativity finally being recognized. "Thank you. I put a lot of effort and care into them."
Jeongin joined the conversation, his attention shifting from the designs to me. "You have a great sense of design," he commented. "Are you a fan of art in general?"
Hyunjin turned his head quickly to face me, his eyes gleaming with hope and excitement, giving an almost puppy like display.
A spark of excitement lit up my eyes and I enthusiastically nodded in agreement. "Absolutely!" I exclaimed with a wide grin. "Drawing, painting - though I'm not the most skilled at painting- and photography all bring me great joy."
Hyunjin abruptly reached over in excitement and grabbed my hands, looking me in the eyes with joy and exclaimed, "If you're interested, I could teach you some tips to improve your painting skills!" I let out a giggle at his excitement and responded with equal eagerness, "I would be thrilled to learn from you, Hyunjin!" After sharing a laugh about our shared enthusiasm, I turned back to Seungmin and added, "Besides art, music is another love of mine. Singing and dancing bring me endless joy."
Felix turned to me with an eager look in his eyes, asking, "Really? What kind of music do you like?" His admiration was evident as he added, "Killer moves by the way. You were absolutely amazing at the grocery store. You made me want to join you," he stated with a teasing grin.
A sense of embarrassment washed over me, coloring my cheeks with a warm flush as I playfully shoved Felix, who chuckled at my reaction.
"Thank you," I replied with a shy smile. "You're too kind. I listen to mainly rock music, but I have a soft spot for Disney tunes. And I absolutely love K-pop." my eyes lighting up as I spoke. "And you guys are one of my absolute favorite bands. Your songs, your raps, your dances, your personalities - everything about you is just so incredibly talented and inspiring." My voice filled with genuine sincerity as I continued, "You make me happy and motivated every time I listen to your music."
"Aw thank you! We're happy to have you as a fan," Felix said with a grateful smile. The rest of the band nodded in unison.
Third Person POV -------------------------
Meanwhile, Han, Changbin, and Bang Chan finished practicing their last song. The sound of their rap and beats echoed through the practice room, leaving them feeling confident in their performance. As they exited the stage, they noticed all the other members huddled in a tight circle, their voices murmuring excitedly. Curiosity peaked; the three boys made their way over to see what was causing such commotion.
Their eyes landed on Zena, who seemed to radiate a certain charm that immediately captured their attention. Her dual-toned hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her smile lit up her entire face. Her voice was sweet and melodic as she spoke to Felix, who stood beside her with an arm wrapped around her shoulders. Bang Chan couldn't help but pause for a moment, struck by Zena's beauty and infectious energy. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, wanting to know more about this captivating girl and her relationship with Felix. They approached the group with Han's boisterous voice ringing out, "Ey! Felix! Who is this stunning woman you've been keeping from us?". Felix let out a hearty laugh and proceeded to introduce them to Zena, and Zena to them. Her radiant smile lit up her face and her sparkling eyes filled with warmth and charm. With eager anticipation, Chan took a step forward to introduce himself. But before he could utter a single word, Han burst onto the scene with his booming voice and larger-than-life personality, stealing the opportunity away from Chan. The vibrancy of Han's energy filled the room, leaving no space for anyone else to make a mark.
"Greetings, Zena. I am Han," he announced with exuberance and a charmingly posh British accent. He took her hand with a flourish and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it, as if she were royalty and he was her devoted suitor.
She giggled at his playful gesture, and she responded by giving a mock curtsey. "Well greetings, Han. I am Zena," she replied, playing along with the banter. "I must say, your rap skills and vocal talents are truly remarkable. You're quite talented, kind sir."
"Thank you, my dear," Han replied with a comical bow. His infectious grin widened as they exchanged smiles and burst into hearty laughter together. It was clear that they were going to get along famously.
With a small, amused shake of his head, Chan watched as Han bounced around with restless energy. He had just opened his mouth to introduce himself when Changbin suddenly cut in, eager to make a connection. Chan could feel the universe telling him to slow down and practice patience, but he couldn't help but be a little frustrated that he keeps getting stopped.
Changbin's voice was warm and friendly as he introduced himself to Zena, his hand gently clasping hers in a slight moment of shyness. His jet-black hair fell into his face, framing it in an almost mysterious way as he offered her the sweetest smile.
Zena returned his smile fondly, charmed by his presence. "Hello, Changbin. It's so nice to finally meet you." she replied, feeling a sense of genuine connection with him already. "I must say, I'm a huge fan of your rap skills and your undeniable charisma. You truly are awesome."
Changbin's cheeks flushed with a tinge of pink at her words. "Thank you so much," he states sincerely with his Korean accent. "You're incredibly kind."
The usually calm and composed Chan's patience quickly dissipates as he eagerly wanted to greet her, feeling like everyone is moving at a snail's pace. His excitement swells inside him, causing him to suddenly extend his hand in introduction and abruptly ending Zena and Changbin's conversation.
"Hi, I'm Bang Chan," his deep Australian accent rolls off his tongue effortlessly. "But you can call me Chris." His eyes sparkle with enthusiasm and admiration for the person in front of him.
Zena's heart flutters as she takes his hand and shakes it, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink. She can't believe she's meeting one of her favorite band members, the one she has a secret crush on since she became a STAY. "H-hi, Chris," she stammers nervously. "I'm Zena. I admire your strong leadership skills and your incredible versatility as a producer, singer, and dancer. You truly are a multi-talented artist."
Chan can't help but be slightly taken aback by her kind words. He's not used to such direct praise, especially from someone who exudes such genuine warmth and humility. A warm smile spreads across his face as he replies, "Thank you, Zena. That means a lot to me."
With her heart pounding in her chest, Zena couldn't help but feel a sense of electricity in the air as Bang Chan held her gaze. There was an unspoken connection between them, an invisible thread pulling them closer together. She found herself captivated by his warm smile and the genuine kindness in his eyes.
As Chan noticed the dazed look on Zena's face, he cleared his throat to say something to her. But before he could, their manager called them backstage, signaling it was time for their concert. Frustrated with the bad timing, Chan bids Zena a quick farewell and hustled off to join his bandmates. Felix passed by Zena and paused to turn towards her. "Your seat is the middle one right in the front," he stated, pointing to the designated spot. "If you need anything, just shoot me a text." His words were lost in the bustle of backstage preparations as he disappeared behind the heavy stage curtains with the rest of the band.
Zena nodded gratefully, feeling a rush of nerves and excitement at the thought of being in the front row for their performance. She mentally thanked Felix for his kindness before turning her attention back to the pulsing energy of the crowd waiting outside.
Zena took a deep breath as she settled into her seat before scanning the arena excitedly. The atmosphere was starting to bustle with energy as fans trickled in chatting and laughing while waiting for the show to start.
As she settled into her seat, Zena's mind raced with thoughts of the past few hours. Her heart fluttered with anticipation, a smile spreading across her lips as she whispered to herself, "Nothing will ever be normal after tonight." The theater hummed with excitement, the chatter of fellow audience members blending together in a symphony of voices. The velvet curtains on stage shimmered under the dim lights, creating an aura of mystery and enchantment. Zena couldn't wait for the show to start, eager to see what surprises and adventures awaited her in this new uncharted territory.