Dove's
As Dae and I walk side by side, the distant chatter of students fades into background noise. My thoughts are too loud, swirling with stress, doubt, and the overwhelming pressure I've put on myself. It's suffocating, and even with Dae beside me, I can't seem to shake it.
I let out a sigh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear before finally admitting, "I don't know what's wrong with me."
Dae glances at me, his brows drawing together. "What do you mean?"
"The competition," I mumble, staring down at the polished floors. "I-I'm stressed. More than I should be. I already chose my song, but now I hate it. And I told Stella I'd win, but what if I don't? What if I mess up? What if-" I stop myself, shaking my head as frustration tightens in my chest. "I can't seem to like anything I pick, and it's driving me insane."
Dae listens quietly, his eyes never leaving my face. He doesn't interrupt, doesn't brush off my worries like they're nothing. He just waits, letting me spill it all out. Then, after a moment, he exhales and lightly nudges my arm.
"It's okay to be stressed," he says simply.
I blink up at him. "Is it?"
"Yeah." His voice is steady, like he's absolutely sure of it. "You care about this competition, Dove. You want to do well. That's why you're feeling this way. It's not a bad thing."
I press my lips together, thinking. I hadn't considered that before.
Dae continues, his tone softer now. "But you don't have to have everything figured out right this second. It's okay if you're doubting your song. It's okay if you're overthinking. It just means you want this."
I let out a slow breath. The panic inside me doesn't completely fade, but the way he says it makes it feel... less like a burden.
"I guess I do want this," I admit.
Dae smiles, nudging me again. "Of course you do. And you're going to be amazing, no matter what song you pick."
His words settle deep in my chest, easing some of the tightness. I'm still stressed. I still have doubts. But for the first time all day, I don't feel so alone in it.
Then, after a pause, he tilts his head slightly, his smile turning playful. "But, Dove... you do know you have to have fun too, right?"
I blink. "What?"
"The competition," he says, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "You're supposed to enjoy it. Music is supposed to be fun. If you're too caught up in the pressure, you're going to forget why you love singing in the first place. Winning doesn't matter if you don't have fun."
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Have fun? The thought almost feels foreign. I've been so focused on winning-on proving something-that I haven't even stopped to think about whether I enjoy what I'm doing.
Dae grins at my silence. "What, did you forget that part?"
I let out a small, breathy laugh, shaking my head. "Maybe I did."
"Well," he says, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "then I guess I have to remind you."
There's something light in his voice, something easy, and for the first time today, I feel like maybe-just maybe-I can breathe again.
When I finally make it back to the dorm, my mind feels quieter than it did earlier. Dae's words still linger in my head, like a melody I hadn't realized I needed to hear. You have to have fun too.
I let out a deep breath as I pushed open the door, expecting to find Megan scrolling on her phone or some sense of normalcy waiting for me. But instead, my eyes land on a rigid Hyejin.
She's sitting on the couch, back straight, hands clasped together on her lap. She looks... tense. It's almost like she's waiting for something-or someone.
I hesitate for a moment before stepping fully inside, closing the door behind me. "Uh... hey?"
Hyejin barely reacts. Her gaze flickers toward me, but it's fleeting. She looks distracted, like her mind is somewhere else entirely.
I set my bag down and look around the quiet dorm. "Where's Megan?"
Hyejin exhales, finally looking at me properly. "Out."
I wait for her to say more, but she doesn't. She just sits there, staring ahead, fingers lightly tapping against her knee in an almost anxious rhythm.
I cross my arms, studying her. "Okay... What's going on?"
There's a pause. Then, after a beat, Hyejin shakes her head. "Nothing."
It's the most unconvincing nothing I've ever heard.
I raise an eyebrow. "Right. And you just like sitting there looking like you're about to be interrogated?"
She lets out a small, dry laugh but doesn't answer. I don't push-at least, not yet. Instead, I move to sit on my own bed, stretching my legs out. The air in the room feels different, heavier, like there's something unspoken lingering between us.
I glance at her again. "Are you actually waiting for someone?"
"Dove," she started hesitantly.
I raised a brow. "Yeah?"
She hesitated again, then rushed the words out. "Come with me to Yuri's party."
I blinked. "What?"
"Kitty invited me," she explained, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "But I don't want to go alone."
"Weren't Kitty and Yuri beefing, though?" I ask, making Hyejin nod.
"They were but they reconciled, so will you come?" She looks at me with hopeful eyes.
I sit on the couch, levelling her with a look. "I wasn't even invited!"
"It's open to everyone," she said quickly, then took another step forward. Her expression turned pleading, eyes wide with something close to desperation. "Please, Dove? I'll owe you. I just-I really don't want to go by myself. I don't know how to feel alone at a party with Kitty. Please, please, please!"
"Call Megan and go with her! I... parties are weird!" I say as Hyejin holds me by the shoulder, shaking me.
"Please! Please! Megan doesn't like Yuri, so she would never go! And... it's fine! I don't like parties too much too!" She tries to convince me, but I shake my head.
"It's weird! I've never been to a party!" I retort, but she keeps pleading with me.
"Dove, PLEASE! 1 hour! One hour is all I ask of you! And then we can leave! Plus it'll be good practice for Megan's birthday party!" She pleads making me groan before finally giving in.
"Fine! 1 hour! I'm serious." I say firmly, making her squeal and hug me.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Hyejin exclaims, making me push her off me.
"Okay, fine! Geez. What am I even gonna wear?" I ask, making her pose.
"No need to worry when you have me. Besides, Kitty said it's gonna be quite luxurious, so we just need to look good." Hyejin said, making me roll my eyes as she pulled me to my bedroom.
So much for thinking of spending a quiet evening, searching for songs.
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Party? Oh ð³
My chapters are all over the place ð but I hope y'all still like it