One year had passed, and it felt like the blink of an eye.

Coachella had been a whirlwind of excitement, a kaleidoscope of music, lights, and energy that left Chaeyoung breathless. But beyond amazing, beyond incredible, it had been a transformative experience—one that had propelled her and her group into a stratosphere of fame they had only dreamed of before.

Now, as Chaeyoung stared out the window of her own dorm, she couldn't help but marvel at how far they had come. Their success had afforded them the luxury of independence, finally liberated from the confines of shared living spaces. YG had relented, recognizing their achievements and granting them the freedom they deserved.

But amidst the solitude of her newfound independence, Chaeyoung couldn't shake the sense of emptiness that lingered. No more spontaneous visits from Lisa, no more gossip sessions with Jennie, and no more heartfelt conversations with Jisoo. The absence of her bandmates left a void, a stark reminder of the sacrifices that came with their skyrocketing fame.

Sure, they were busy—busier than ever, in fact. Their relentless schedule of performances and appearances left little time for leisure, let alone reunions with friends. Not to mention the pandemic has terribly caused them to be separated. But still, despite their individual successes, Chaeyoung couldn't shake the feeling of longing that tugged at her heartstrings.

As she pondered the future, thoughts of their next comeback danced through her mind. Perhaps a full album this time? The possibilities were endless, the world eagerly anticipating their next move.

But amidst the uncertainty of their future endeavors, one thing remained clear: the air was crisp, the world alive with possibility.

How long had it been since it all began?

How long since the pandemic had turned their lives upside down?

Flashback to a year ago...

Coachella—a dream they never dared to believe would come true. They were going to be the first K-pop group who would ever grace let alone perform in this world-renowned music festival

Blackpink stood amidst the grandeur of California, surrounded by global icons, and it felt surreal.

"Oh my God, we're really here," Jennie whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"Waah! It's so big in here!" Lisa exclaimed, capturing every moment with her phone, her excitement palpable.

Meanwhile, Jisoo's nerves threatened to overwhelm her. The enormity of the festival, the language barrier, the weight of expectations—all of it bore down on her like a heavy burden. How could she make it seem effortless? How could she conceal her fear?

Then, a reassuring touch on her shoulder—a lifeline in the chaos. Chaeyoung's soft smile spoke volumes, easing Jisoo's anxiety with just three simple words:

"I got you, unnie."

With newfound resolve, they launched into their soundcheck, their music already drawing attention and anticipation from the crowd. Twitter buzzed with excitement, their name trending before they even stepped on stage.

Now, in their dressing room, anticipation hung heavy in the air. Their dreams, their passion, their unity—all culminating in this moment.

As the intro to "DDDD" filled the air, the energy surged. Cameras flashed, the crowd roared, and adrenaline coursed through their veins. Each member, a force to be reckoned with:

Jennie commanded the stage with her charisma, feeding off the crowd's energy and giving it back tenfold.

Lisa flowed effortlessly, her rap and dance captivating the audience as if she were born for this stage.

Chaeyoung's voice, golden and mesmerizing, left the crowd spellbound, drawing comparisons to icons like Beyonce.

And Jisoo—steady, captivating, a vision of grace and talent that left the crowd breathless, her presence commanding attention like a goddess.

Together, they were unstoppable, a whirlwind of energy and talent that left an indelible mark on Coachella's stage.

But behind the scenes, nerves had threatened to derail them. That is until Rosé, their pillar of strength, stepped in. With her confidence and unwavering belief, she rallied the group, reminding them of their purpose and the love they shared with their fans.

Hands in, hearts united, speaking out their usual 'hoh', they made a vow—to conquer Coachella, to exceed expectations, to show the world who Blackpink truly was.

And they did just that.

As they stepped onto the stage, they weren't just performers—they were legends in the making, a testament to the power of dreams and the unbreakable bond of friendship.

Blackpink had arrived, and the world would never be the same again.

BREAKING NEWS FLASH!

A worldwide lockdown grips the globe as countries grapple with the relentless spread of the COVID-19 virus. Travel restrictions tighten, and masks become the new norm as governments scramble to contain the pandemic's deadly grasp.

With no vaccine in sight, the death toll rises, casting a shadow of fear over every corner of the earth.

Concerts fall silent, cinemas darken, and malls shutter their doors, leaving only essential services like grocery stores to brave the uncertain times ahead.

In the midst of this chaos, Blackpink faces an unexpected twist of fate. YG Entertainment, their home and haven (and dungeon), delivers a sobering decree: separate living arrangements for the members, a necessary precaution to safeguard their health amidst the pandemic.

"W-what? We're not living together?" Jennie stood up, eyes growing fierce as she faced the executives of YG Entertainment "You can't do that!"

Jennie's fiery protest ignites the room, her determination unyielding as she challenges the executives' decision.

"We have to; it's for your own safety." One of the executive said calmly "It's better for the four of you to live separately and now have their own dorm. Besides, this was supposed to happen anyway once this year started because you'll now be having your own solo projects.

"Sadly," Another one spoke and looked at Chaeyoung "We have to postpone yet again Rosé's solo because of this pandemic. We have to prioritize everyone's health."

"Moved again?" Jisoo whispered, a bit angry that Chaeyoung's solo is getitng moved...again for the 2nd year. 

But reason prevails, and the harsh reality of the situation settles in—this is for their own safety.

"They have no choice unnie..." Lisa said sadly; not wanting to get separated from her family, especially her chipmunk.

"It's fine," Chaeyoung spoke out loud "We have to prioritize everyone's health especially since there are no vaccine." Her eyes softened seeing the frustrated look of her members "As for the dorms...can you at least give us one last night together before we go on our separate ways? We promise to not have too much physical contact and even wear mask as we sleep. Just give us this one time because we won't know how long until we see each other again."

Her almond eyes looked confidently at the executives

"Blackpink are not just artists; we're also a family."

Chaeyoung, ever the peacemaker, negotiates for one last night together—a final moment of camaraderie before they part ways. Their boss, impressed by Chaeyoung's newfound confidence, relents, granting them this small reprieve.

"Fine Chaeyoung, you win" Their boss said and finally, the atmosphere lifted when the four girls smiled happily "I like how you gain a lot of confidence since Coachella, I'm proud of you, all of you"

Blackpink's heart warmed; it was so rare for their boss to give out compliments so they bowed in thanks and started going home.

For one night, they shed their superstar personas, gathering in their pajamas like ordinary girls, reminiscing about simpler times.

"It's been a while since we've done something like this" Jennie said wistfully; they were all in their pajamas in the living room, having some kind of slumber party. 

They were like your typical teenage girls having a sleepover with a normal life.

But they weren't normal; they were Blackpink. Fate had bought them together, from Lisa being chosen all the way from Thailand, up until Chaeyoung, being the only chosen one out of hundreds of participants hailing from Australia. 

"Remember the time when Lisa slipped because she didn't understand the wet floor sign since it's Korean?"

All of them laughed even Lisa who was pouting a bit

"Of course I have to be the ice breaker" Lisa teased "How about the time you did your krump session? You obviously did better than me"

"A memory I could not recall as of the moment"

"Aww but unnie that's when I started crushing on you" Chaeyoung giggled making Jisoo slightly blush

"...Maybe I do remember it now"

Jennie scoffed "Of course you did" She said before claiming her position as Chaeyoung's wifey by laying her head on her hubby's shoulder.

"You know, I would never peg you as the clingy type in my first impression of you" Chaeyoung looked softly at Jennie who just reddened a bit and seems to be acting shy.

"...does it bother you?"

Jisoo and Lisa were honestly quite surprised to see this side of Jennie but looking at the two of them, Chaeyoung doesn't seem to be surprised meaning that Jennie must have shown this...vulnerability of hers to Chaeyoung many times.

Though as Jennie's best friend, Jisoo of course have seen this type of vulnerability of her but not this soft.

"Of course it doesn't" Chaeyoung soothed her "It just..." Words died on Chaeyoung's throat, as if she realized what she was going to say next would not help in their current atmosphere.

"It just what?"

Her 3 members looked at her and Chaeyoung could just whisper loud enough for all of them to barely hear 

"It just made me wonder why people are always saying that you're cruel, a , lazy, and many more words I would rather not say"

Jennie flinched; it was no secret that out of the four of them, she was the target of scandals and harsh hate. Jennie knew to herself she did a great job of appearing strong but there were moments, especially during airports where they have to fly, that her anxiety is overcoming her. Heck, Jennie could already count how many videos of it were already in the Internet.

Her closed-up face, her trust shades for them to not see what she's truly feeling, and even her phone and wired earphones (Chaeyoung is the reason why she's using it more often now than wireless ones). 

"I really don't like it when people say those things to Jennie-unnie when she's the exact opposite..." Lisa said solemnly

"I agree, she's a perfectionist that she always interrupts me in my Animal Crossing time"

"Jisoo!" Jennie glared at her though it was more some kind of an exasperated glare which made their maknaes giggle at their tandem.

"What? It's true"

"It's one of the things that I admire to Jennie-unnie" Lisa boasted as if she were her younger sister...not because she's also like that...

"You're also like that; it's why Jenlisa is one of the most famous ships in the K-pop industry" Jisoo said smugly "It's fine though, since we're a four-member group and that two of you are together, that leaves Chaeyoungie and me" She added 

Jennie and Lisa looked at each other with a bit of a disgusted face; yes they admit that the other has good physical attributes but it's like...

It's like !

"The Jenlisa thing did blew up since our debut" Chaeyoung chuckled and jokingly elbowed Jisoo "Maybe that's why there was so many Jenlisa fics, and since the two of us were part of Blackpink..."

"Fanfiction authors have no choice but to ship the two of us as well" Jisoo winked and the two of them burst out of laughter when Jennie pinched Chaeyoung hard and Lisa threw a pillow on Jisoo

"As if I'll fall to this monkey!"

"I don't want to sleep with one eye open knowing this chihuahua will kill me in my sleep!"

"Well, she is a cute chihuahua if you ask me" Chaeyoung chuckled painfully because of her burning skin, restraining a growling Jennie to attack Lisa.

Lisa subtly scooted closer to Jisoo, shivering at the malicious glare that Jennie is sending her

"I really don't know how you see it Chae..."

Jennie huffed "Only because I'm her wife" She smirked

Lisa bristled "At least Chaelisa is the most famous ship!"

"Oh we're talking about shipping now?" Jisoo said with that ridiculous smirk of hers "You seem to have forgotten that Jenlisa is the most famo-" 

Fries were shoved to by an angry Jennie

"It may be the most famous, but we have the most loyal fans" Jennie said smugly

"...you mean you and Jisoo?"

Chaeyoung sweatdropped seeing Jisoo spit out the fries directly at Lisa's face making the youngest shout in disgust

"Ugh unnie that's disgusting!"

"I meant me and Chaeyoung!"

"What the Limario?"

Jennie and Jisoo glared at the youngest heatedly making Lisa shrink back

"Besides, Chaesoo is the softest ship" Jisoo crossed her arms "Fans love our interactions!"

"You were only famous because of those cursed Jenlisa fictions" 

"Chaelisa has the most fanfics!"

"...why are we only talking about ships though?"

Chaeyoung finally talking broke up their fights about ships as all three stared at her

"Tell us! Who's the most famous ship" Jennie glared at her as if already murdering the poor hubby in her mind if she said the wrong answer.

'...why do I feel like I'm in some kind of Isekai plot?' Chayoung thought

"Uhm..." Chaeyoung chuckled and eyed them, amused but still answered as if it was the most confident thing in the world

"Me and Jungkook?"

"WHAT?!"

Chaeyoung laughed "What? You were asking!" She continued laughing seeing the dumbfounded look on everyonne's face

"Have you been contacting him?" Jisoo narrowed her eyes, remembering vaguely a year ago? months ago? about that boy asking for Chaeyoung's number.

"We may have talked from time-to-time but I'm too busy with everything going on that I kind of forgot to reply sometimes" Chaeyoung scratched her head 

"Are you and Jungkook really the most famous ship?" Jennie asked

"I'm just joking unnie geez" Chaeyoung chuckled "We don't even have any interactions, heck I have more interactions with EXO's Chanyeol but that was years ago"

"But I got to admit, the amount of fictions about us is competing well or even better with.." Chaeyoung started blushing

"With whom?" Lisa asked

"With the three of you"

"...are you admitting that you have read fanfictions about us?" A smile is threatening on Jisoo's lips as she raised her eyebrow questioningly

"Hey! You were the one who started it with those Jenlisa fictions!"

"Only because I only look for Chaesoo moments" Jisoo said sagely

Lisa patted Jisoo's back sympathetically

"What?" Jisoo said in confusion

"That's so sad, your ship is so scarce that you have to look for Chaesoo moments on Jenlisa's fictions" Lisa sniffed playfully "At least me and Chaeyoung have lots of stories with us being the main characters"

"Chaennie have the best stories out there" Jennie grumbled 

Chaeyoung hummed "I have to agree with Jennie-unnie, Chaennie stories really have the best plots out there"

Jennie looks smug

"Though I also have to agree with Lisa, there are a lot of Chaelisa fanfictions. This must be because you're too clingy to me" Chaeyoung punched Lisa playfully who just grinned widely

Jisoo started sulking at this point until Chaeyoung poked her cheek

"Chaesoo may be rare; but it's truly a diamond once found" 

Chaeyoung looked at Jisoo endearingly before a sharp pain in her head made her squint her eyes. 

"Is there something wrong Rosie?" Jennie asked, concerned

"I'm fine, I'm fine" Chaeyoung waved off their concern and smiled

"Now enough about shipping, what are we watching?"

As they indulged in nostalgic banter and enjoyed the movie together, their laughter echoed in the room, each moment cherished as if it might be their last.

No one could predict when the pandemic would end. Lisa, ever the curious one, even researched past pandemics, realizing it could be years before they saw the end of this one.

"Years, huh..."

The weight of uncertainty settled over them, a shadow in the midst of their camaraderie.

While fear gripped most of them, Chaeyoung remained surprisingly composed, her confidence unwavering. She believed in the resilience of time, trusting that this crisis would soon become a distant memory.

But amidst her outward assurance

There was only one thing she was not confident though...

The day they were about to separate after their sleepover.

This fanfic is back! 

At this point of the story, it seems like we're going to make it some kind of plot since the end for this fanfiction is nearing. Remember the times Chaeyoung seems to have her head hurting or even passing out? The answer will come on the next chapter.

After that though, we'll see the results in a few more chapters before finally ending this fanfiction.

It has truly been a rollercoaster ride writing this fanfiction, it will be at least 4 years on June since I've started writing this fanfiction and I'm really impressed how people still seems to be waiting on this fanfic, supporting their pairing, and eagerly awaiting for the next chapter. It was fun around the time of when I started writing this fanfiction, in fact, the updates were almost instantaneous. But then school started getting busy and here I am, hopefully graduating once I've finished two more subjects on my end. 

Will I stop writing by then now that I have to go and work like any adults out there? 

Who knows?

Writing fanfictions has been my way of getting away from the world and how I explore my creativity. I don't think this will be the end of me of course! Even though day-by-day, people has started to read less and less, I would be perfectly content to have just 1 reader reading my stories. 

With that being said, once again, thank you everyone for sharing your enthusiasm with me! I would never forget how all of you supported my story and how you even gave suggestions that made this story better. Cheers to everyone! Blackpink has a rumor going around that their group activities will start halfway of 2024 so as always, let's support our girls!