Ashley’s eyes widened. Jimin wanted to have a dance battle of their own? She was very surprised he would even suggest that.

“Hahhhh!” J-Hope piped up. “I wanted to see Ashley’s rountine!” J-Hope paused for a moment in thought. “But this is fine too!” A toothy smile showed up on his face.

Ashely had to think about this for a moment. Even if she showed J-Hope her routine, there was no way she was going to change the routine at the last minute. It would be best if she tried it at the performance and see if she failed or not.

“Next time, J-Hope you can give suggestions to my routine.” If there is a next time. “It’s too late to give me feedback anyways.” She gave him a small smile. She turned to Jimin. “Sure, I don’t mind a little battle. Ashely stretched her arms over head and her legs to get started.

Jimin did the same. He leaned on the floor and stretched his legs on each side. Jimin was wearing a sleeveless shirt that day and she noticed the muscles in his arms moved as he stretched his arms over his head...not that she was paying attention or anything. Cough.

“And J-Hope is our judge.” Jimin flashed his famous smile over to J-Hope. “Remember be fair hyung and honest.” He shook his finger in the hair and fixed his cap on his head again.

J-Hope gave Ashley and Jimin two thumbs up. “I’m always fair.” He crossed his arms and nodded.

“Right.” Sarcasm oozed out of Jimin’s voice. “Just remember two eyes on me.” Jimin looked at Ashley, giving her a confident eye smile before moving his body to the music. He slid his sneakers on the floor and spun around twice before doing a marching type of hand movement in the air. His foot placement went along with the dance. When his left hand went up, his right foot kicked back. Then it alternated.

Ashley stopped stretching to watch. “Starting already?!” She panicked a bit and watched Jimin. He was really good! She always knew he was good at dancing but seeing it up close was different. It seems that Jimin was taking this seriously. Was there even a slight chance that she’ll win against him?

When he pointed at her to go and she first swayed her hips left to right and placed a hand behind her head and her other hand on her hips. She tried for a ier type of dancing step and the reaction from J-Hope was priceless.

“Wahhooh!” J-Hope clapped enthusiastically and woot. Jimin gave him a ‘are you kidding me’ look. Ashley almost laughed but she continued looking serious. She did a high kick in the air and finished off giving Jimin a wink.

Jimin placed his hand over his heart and laughed. Then he jumped in and did over complicated footsteps. J-Hope cheered for his teammate too. He was pretty fair she had to admit.

He gave her a low prince bow and urged for her to continue off where he left.

She felt even more confident. She was almost out of breath but she nodded. She snatched Jimin’s hat off his head and placed it on her own. She snuggly placed it backwards on her head like how he liked to wear it.

“What?!” Jimin placed his hand on the top of his head where his hat should have been. He looked up to see Ashley dancing in it.

“Ooohhh!!!” Ashley heard J-Hope make some odd reaction. She wanted to end this battle hilariously. So she started doing weird dance moves with a serious expression. Hop Hop hop. Turn, turn. Ugly expression and then some fighter pose. She squinted her eyes at the two audience.

Jimin started laughing out loud. His laugh was really cute. It had this boyish ring to it. Ashely turned twice and saw him holding onto his stomach. J-Hope joined in a second later.

“Hahahaha!” Jimin shut his eyes and threw his head back, leaning onto J-Hope. “You’re so—“ He clapped his hands in the air.

Ashley curtsied and gave them a bow. “Thank you, thank you.” She felt a little sorry that she didn’t take Jimin’s battle super seriously but at least she made him laugh.

J-Hope clapped loudly. “I think we know the winner.”

“Tch.“ Jimin rolled his shoulders back and shook his head. “Congrats. I hope you do well tonight too then. I mean those dance moves are hilarious.” Jimin laughed and his eyes landed on the hat on her head.

“Thanks.” Ashley replied and scrunched up her face happily. She noticed the direction of Jimin’s eyes and immediately placed her hand on the top of her head to remove the hat. Then she felt another hand stop her. Jimin’s hand quickly reached out to stop her before she could remove the cap. He patted her head slowly.

Ashley’s heart raced. His gaze was soft. She didn’t know what to do but stare blankly back at him. She dropped her hands to her side. “Eh? Don’t you want it back?”

Jimin shook his head. “Do me a favor?” He grinned cutely.

Ashley waited.

“Wear it for the competition.” Jimin grinned happily.

“What?!” Ashley and J-Hope shouted. I mean it’s not a big deal but, wear Jimin’s hat? That was something close people did with each other. She didn’t know Jimin that well. Well she knew lots of things about their group and their individual members but they weren’t super close as friends. Does that mean he accepts her as one of his friends?

A beat of sweat ran down J-Hope’s back. For some reason he looked uncomfortable as his eyes shifted to Jimin and Ashley.

“You heard me.” Jimin laughed and then he looked serious. “Well if you want. I just think it suits you.”

“You’re so greasy.” Ashley laughed. She couldn’t deny that she saw a bit of flirtation pass through Jimin’s eyes. “Fine, I’ll wear it.” She decided. Her teammates might wondered whose hat it belonged to though. They knew what was in her closet. She wasn’t going to tell them it was Jimin’s though.

A satisfied smile passed through Jimin’s lips. “Good.” He crossed his arms and nodded.

There was silence for a bit. Jimin stared at Ashley and she grew a bit nervous under her gaze. He felt her discomfort and smiled kindly at her. “Well J-Hope, let’s give her time to practice.” He threw an arm around his hyungs shoulder.

J-Hope who was a quiet watching their reaction nodded too quickly. “Yeah! Let’s go. We have lots to do today.” He looked thrilled that the silence was over with.

“Okay good luck!” Ashley waved to them as they left the room.

“Same to you.” Jimin said and they both left. J-Hope gave her a nervous wave and they both left.

Ashley stared at the large mirrors in the room reflecting back her image. Jimin’s hat suited her he said. She did have caps of her own that were similar placed on the wall of her room. If he meant this style suited her, then she agreed. She was the only member who always wore giant jerseys with a number design on the front during their performances. Just something about wearing one of Jimin’s items felt a bit intimate to her though.

With that last thought, she started to practice.

---

Night of Competition:

“Ayoo yooo yoo. DJ Kool-Aid in the house.” A man with bright red spikey hair howled on stage. He wore a maroon colored long sleeved v-neck. Several tattoos of varying colors ran along his collar bone. Kool-aid also had a large smile that brightened even more every time a flash of light hit his teeth. He looked around to be his mid 20’s.

“We gonna start the competition around 10 minutes. So get ready to jam!” The crowd cheered along with him.

Backstage, Ashley was shakily drinking her water. She swore it was her tenth bottle of water. “God, I might need to pee.” She muttered under her breath.

“Ashley!” Her manager stormed over to her. His face scrunched up in annoyance. “You know you’re going up soon! What if you pee on stage?” He waved his hands in the air dramatically.

“Please, I’m not a kid.” Ashley rolled her eyes.

A second later, her bladder started to waver. Wow, talk about embarrassing.

Ashely got up quickly, red heat across her cheeks. “On second thought…” she didn’t even finish her sentence as she quickly ran down the hallways to find the nearest bathroom.

“Mhmhm. Thought so.” Her manager said knowingly. He crossed his arms and shook his head.

Ashley barged into the bathroom in a speed like never before. Quick as a cheetah? Faster than a train? In a blink of an eye? She felt like wonder woman on fire. Ten water bottles in a sitting? She was absolutely nuts!

“Excuse me!” Her voice screamed out in English as she practically kicked the doors open. The people checking themselves in the mirrors were startled. They moved out of the room quickly after.

The bathroom was lightly lit with only two stalls. A lady entered the other stall just as Ashley took a step toward it. The only other choice was taken. Ashely waited patiently. The sound of a toilet flushing perked her up.

“Yes. Goddamn.” Ashely mentally yelled in happiness. If she didn’t go now, she was going to be in big trouble.

The girl who exited the last stall was pretty. She had a pretty face shape, long black hair, and large eyes. Her features were soft looking as well. The only thing that bothered Ashely was her expression. Her eyes displayed coldness and irritation. Her thin lips were set into a straight line. The girl stared at Ashely as she exited the bathroom. The girl made an annoyed click of her tongue and went straight to the sink.

Ashely brows furrowed. She didn’t have time to think of it but obviously the girl was giving her a nasty look. Ashely ran into the stall and pulled down her pants when she realized that the toilet seat lid was up. “Eh?” Ashley stared at the toilet confused. Ashley was sure she had heard a flush.

But they were in the girl’s bathroom? The lid is always down even doing number one or two. That was weird. Ashley sat down and quickly did her business. When she was done, the girl with black hair was still checking her make up in the mirror. Her face was expressionless as she rubbed a smudge under her eye makeup.

Ashely timidly went to the sink next her and washed her hands silently. Her thoughts were still on the toilet.
 

“Excuse me.” Ashley finally spoke up and bowed slightly to the girl.

The pretty girl glanced at her and bowed back. “What?” She replied curtly.

Ashley cringed. This girl’s attitude was sickening. “So I went into the stall after you and for some reason the toilet seat was up? I’m not some germaphobe but is there a reason for that? I mean you did use the restroom right?” Ashely explained quickly. The question wasn’t too weird either, she hoped.

The girl huffed and sighed a long time. “How about it’s none of your business what I do in the restroom. Hm?” The girl’s voice was soft but you could hear the annoyance in her voice.

Ashley stood there shocked. Ashely didn’t want to judge the person by first appearances but it was kind of hard to now that the girl’s angry expression matched the words said on her lips. This girl was not amused.

“Listen. There are nicer ways to say that you know.” Ashley crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the bathroom tiles. “Or is that the only way you know how to speak?” Ashley raised her eye brows.

The girl stared at her again and rolled her eyes. “You’re really wasting your time on something so…trivial.” She sighed. “It doesn’t matter what I do in the bathroom don’t you get it? Also, when you came into the bathroom yelling…” The girl placed two fingers on her temple. “Like nails on a chalk board. You talk so obnoxiously. Do you have any friends?”

She couldn’t believe her ears. Ashley’s face grew red in fury. She felt enraged. Who does this girl think she is?! She never met someone so up front before in her life.

She wanted to explode but she knew she had to keep her cool. Ashley breathed in and out before speaking again. “What’s your name?” Ashley ignored the latter.

“Baek Sumin.” She replied dryly.

“Choi Ashley.” Ashley introduced herself, clenching her fists.

“I didn’t ask.” Sumin pursed her lips and threw Ashley a nasty look before walking to the door.

A bunch of curse words popped into Ashley’s mind as the doors swung shut behind Sumin.

“…YAH!” Ashley yelled at her. Ashely wasn’t the type of person who would engage in any physical form of fighting but she just wanted to know what’s this chick’s deal is.

Ashley finally caught up to her but before she could say anything, Ashley’s body was swung around by a pair of hands.

A giant bouquet of flowers was shoved into her face. Her hands grabbled for the stems that were wrapped in polka dot wrapping. A punch of sweet scents invaded her nose. “Gah!” She made a muffled noise before pulling the bouquets away from face.

Ashley tilted her head to see who the nice person was. She loved flowers! To her surprise, she saw Jungkook, Jimin, and J-Hope standing there.

They waved enthusiastically.

“Ashley! We came to cheer you on!” Jimin yelled at her. His eyes stayed on the hat on her head. With a cheeky grin and head tilt, he walked closer to her. “Ah, I see you’re wearing my hat still. Heh.” His eyes practically twinkled underneath his eye smile.

“Cute.” He said and patted Ashley’s head twice.

Ashley couldn’t help but blush. “Well, I keep my promises.” She mumbled, avoiding eye contact and hugging her flowers. “Thank you, guys.”

She was amazed. Not even her teammates came and to think three people from another group came? It was a dream come true.

“Hellooooo. We’re here too!” J-Hope hopped in a bit. His face got brighter as he got in between Jimin and her. Jimin gave him a look and then laughed.

 “Ashley, good luck! I know you’re going blow the crowd out of their seats!” J-Hope gave her a thumbs up. Then he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Check the card in the flowers after you get home alright?” He pulled back and gave her a cute pose where he placed two clenched fists up to his face.

J-Hope was being cute as usual. And as usual, their last meeting was forgotten again. J-Hope really knew how to put everything behind him. Ashley thought about the closet scene a lot throughout the day. It was probably those, ‘at the moment feelings to him.’ She was slightly disappointed.

“You know, I was the one who suggested this.” Jungkook finally spoke. He had his arms crossed and he was showing his forehead.

“Wow, Jungkook boasting about something for once?” Jimin asked shocked.

“What? This is something I would like to take credit for.” He looked at his hyung and then blushed feverishly when Ashley suddenly reached out to touch the side of his head.

“Jungkook! Your hair!” Ashley’s eyes bugged out. His usual styled mop hair was now up, baring a cute forehead! Everything about how Jungkook looked was now brighter and she couldn’t tell if he looked older or younger with the hair style. All she knew was that he looked good. Good enough to make her shamelessly stare at him.

Jungkook lightly knocked her fingers off his hair with the back of his hand. “Noona.” Jungkook’s face was all shades of embarrassment.

“Look Jungkook’s embarrassed!” J-Hope teased.

“Oooh Jungkooookiee!” Jimin wiggled his fingers in the air and laughed along with J-Hope.

“I’m not!” Was his comeback. “If there’s something to be embarrassed about, it’s you two!”

Jimin and J-Hope erupted into another chain of laughter. “That’s our sassy maknae.” Jimin cried.

“You two are embarrassing.” Ashley agreed with Jungkook but she couldn’t help but laugh too. “Kookie, your hair is perfect. It makes you look really handsome, not that you weren’t before...” She stammered.

“Ashley-noona.” Jungkook stopped her. He gave her a small smile. “If you text that to me, I’ll feel a lot better. Since we ARE texting buddies.” He said it loudly and proudly.

He crossed his arms and glanced back at his older members.

Jimin’s shoulders slightly slumped and threw Jungkook an annoyed glance. “Ashley, we need to talk about something later okay??”

J-Hope said nothing but hopped on from one foot to another.

“Sure?” Ashley laughed. They were an odd bunch together but she loved them.

“Oh,” A knowing voice said from across the room. “I see Ashley and her loud crew has entered back stage. They let anyone in nowadays don’t they?” Sumin sighed as she leaned against the wall.

“Ugh.” Ashley frowned. She stomped over to this girl who just spoke whatever crossed her mind. “Listen, I don’t know what your problem is but don’t insult them. They are Bangtan.” Ashely stood in front of her and tapped her foot against the ground.

“And I’m sorry if whatever I asked offended you in any way.” Ashley continued. “Although it was just a question…” She muttered the last part.

“Whoa. Noona is fighting with someone?” Jungkook asked J-Hope.

J-Hope shrugged. “Beats me but let’s listen.” They both nodded and continued to watch.

Sumin gave her a glance and scoffed. “Sorry, but I treat everyone the same regardless of their idol status or in your case, nobody status.” Sumin gave her a cold glance.

Ashley fumed.

“I’m guessing your performing today too? I wish you the best of luck.” Sumin continued, glancing at her nails.

“Wow, do my ears deceive me or are you finally done being rude and are trying to initiate a normal conversation for once?” Ashley snapped back.

“Since when have you ever started a normal conversation yourself? The first thing you ask me was about was my personal bathroom experience. None of that is normal.”

“Well what type of girl leaves the lid up? Normal? Are you actually a girl?” Ashley retorted.

Sumin cast a heavy glare at her. Bingo! Was that her secret or did Ashley just hit a nerve?

Jimin started choking. He was trying hard not to laugh at the two girls.

 “Hey, hey, hey.” Jimin, who was trying his best to control his emotions came in and threw an arm around Ashley’s shoulder. “Let’s calm down a bit and focus on what we came here for. The competition!” Jimin threw his fist to the sky to lift the mood.

The mood was became more dense. Ashley stared down Sumin and Sumin stared down Ashley. Both of them gave each other the evil eye and none of them seemed like they were backing down.

“Oi, noona. Are you done bickering? I think it’s about to start.” Jungkook came in.

J-Hope tried to lift the mood by doing some odd wiggle. “Ashley look here!” He kept wiggling.

Ashley heard him but she chose not to say anything. Sumin was just…ugh. Ashley didn’t know her deal. She was rude to Ashley right off the bat. Was this girl on her period or was she always this y?

J-Hope came to her a second later and tugged on her arm. “Let’s go…Ashley.” He tugged again. Ashley stood her ground for a second and then finally allowed herself to get dragged by J-Hope by the arm. She only did it because Sumin’s manager came to talk Sumin and their eye contact broke.

---

“God. I can’t believe I’m saying this but this is the first time I will literally dislike someone so much!” Ashley complained to the members who followed her towards the stage.  

The show had started and they were showing the first act and then the second. Ashley watched blankly from behind the curtain. She sighed. Sumin was definitely there to bring her mood down.

“Don’t worry noona,” Jungkook began. “Some people are just jerks when they’re stressed.”

The other two was just watching the performers in awe. Ashley had almost forgotten that BTS’s dance line had shown up.

Ashley thought about it for a moment. “Yeah… but I guess everyone deserves a second chance. If she acts this way next time though…” Ashley laughed because she wasn’t sure how she would react. “Never mind. There are other important things.”

Ashley stared at the performers. They were amazing. The claps were very loud for each performance that came by. Could she do better?

Her manager popped up behind them a second later and that earned a bit of mini screams from J-Hope and Jimin. Jungkook looked at his hyungs, obviously judging them.  

“Ashley, are you ready?” His manager had a sandwich wedged in between his mouth and was talking through mouthfuls. Her manager eyes shifted to BTS members and he blinked twice before swallowing the piece of bread in his mouth.

“Why are you three here?” He rose his eye brows at them waiting for their answer. “Your manager know you’re here?”

“Of course they do.” Jimin smirked. “We can go anywhere we want as long as it doesn’t conflict with our schedules and as long as we have other members with us.”

“Ah yes, your freewill. I’m surprised no one recognized you guys yet or are you guys not as famous as I thought?” The manager teased.

“Oh we’re famous alright. We just look too normal right now that no one can tell it’s us.” Jimin simply said.

BTS members were wearing normal clothing. J-Hope was wearing a hoodie that covered most of his face. Jungkook, although had his hair up, had a red scarf around his neck. Jimin was wearing a crew neck and his cap on forward. They actually wore this type of outfit a lot but Ashley guessed everyone was too busy to figure out BTS would come to this event, especially unannounced.

“Nah, we’re more semi famous. Not famous enough to have hoards of people chase us down the street.” J-Hope said and laughed.

“Sshhh. He doesn’t know that.” Jimin placed a finger on his lips and played it cool still.

God. Such dorks.

Ashley shook her head. “I’ve been ready.” She looked out there again. The seventh person to perform out of ten people came out next.

It was Sumin. She stood on stage with that same (annoying) expression on her face. The guys in the crowd were clapping louder than usual. When the music began, Sumin started off soft and then the music heightened. Her dance moves became flawless and each move striking, elegant but powerful.

Ashley couldn’t believe her eyes. She was good. More than good!

“Wait, isn’t she…?!” Her manager moved in front of Ashley to take a look. “Ah, yes. That’s her.”

“Who?” Ashley tore her gaze from Sumin to look at her manager. He looked impressed with Sumin.

“Baek Sumin, a new trainee for BigHit.”

“What?! No way!” Ashley exclaimed. Her brown eyes went back to Sumin just as she finished the routine. This girl is a new trainee for BigHit? Ashley hated to admit it but she could see why. Sumin was over flowing with talent.

Ashley frowned. “She was the one calling me a ‘nobody’ when she’s also one too. Hmph.”

Jungkook heard her and started chuckling. “Noona. You nervous?”

“…Not at all.” Which was a lie. She always had at least an ounce of nerves before doing anything.

“And she drank down ten water bottles because she wasn’t nervous.” Her manager jumped in again. The BTS members laughed.

“Manager!” Ashley sighed and laughed along with them.

“Next up…Choi Ashley!” Kook-Aid screamed into the mic and pointed in the direction of where she was standing.

“Okay! Let’s do this!” Ashely breathed in deeply and took a step. Fingers brushed against her palm.

Ashley turned back to see Jungkook staring at her. His mouth was hidden by the large scarf. “If you get eliminated, we won’t eat pizza anymore, okay?”

Ashley could feel the love from her young friend. Jungkook had a different way of showing affection than others.

Ashley stuck out her tongue and then grinned, handing him her bouquet of flowers. She took a step forward until she was smack in the middle of the stage. “Hey everyone, my name is Ashley Choi!” The crowd cheered for her as she began her routine.

---

Jungkook’s POV

Noona began dancing immediately. Her eyes were focused but lively throughout her routine. Her expressions brought the dance to a whole new level. Everything was smooth and precise but she had a style to it. A fun type of style that Jungkook really liked. It was hard not to look anywhere else. She had a lot of charisma too.

Jimin-hyung and J-Hope-hyung eyes were glued to her as well. Jungkook couldn’t tell what they were thinking but they were entranced. The girl that went before Ashley was really good as well but her expression was too serious and it didn’t look like she was having fun. Some guys might like it though. She looked serious in a ‘y’ way he guessed.

Ashley though, was bright and lively.

Ashely flipped Jimin’s hat (why would she even want to wear it?) off her head and caught it. The crowd and Jimin roared happily.

“Did you see that?! She used my hat as a prop in her routine.” Jimin pointed out. His giddiness overwhelmed him but Jungkook gave him a thumbs up anyways.

“I have eyes hyung.” Jungkook replied and stared back at Ashley. Noona was so good. The powerful style of her dance would amaze anyone. If she did get eliminated tomorrow, Jungkook would have no reason to come watch.

Ever since he met Ashley, he’s even had more fun than just with his group. As a trainee, he didn’t talk with females as much. His manager made sure they were far away from the female trainees as much as possible so they both could focus on training. Now that he’s debuted, his options were more and less open. He could talk to his many female fans but he didn’t have any real female friends. If he made friends with a girl, are they going to like him for him or because he was famous? It was hard to tell.

That’s until Ashley came along. She made it clear to him that she was a fan but she wasn’t obsessive or anything. She had her own worries to focus on and he admired her for it.

Sure, he could have talked to any of the other trainee’s in her group but Ashley felt the most natural. It was easier to talk to her for some reason. Plus, everyone seemed to know her already so it was easy to into the conversation.

He got to know the type of playful personality she had just through several text messages. It was surprisingly fun befriending this girl. Noona is cute. Ever since that night, he kept replaying the scene in his head. It was a cliché’d moment but his heart was pounding for some reason.

…

But really, this isn’t some drama! Screw this. He crossed his arms, getting mad at himself. His thoughts about Ashley vanished and he just waited for her performance to be done…It was just too embarrassing to think about this.

When Ashley got off the stage, a trickle of sweat ran down her forehead and she was breathing heavily but her face looked fresh like she just got out of a gym.

Jungkook scrunched up his face. “Yuck.” He handed her back his bouquet of flowers that he personally picked out. Jimin and J-Hope helped a little. They were too busy looking for J-Hope’s card. Jungkook wondered what his hyung had written in it in the first place. It must have been a good luck or something even though J-Hope’s writing had been shakier than usual.

“Sorry that I can’t always look as perfect as you.” She responded, holding onto her flowers.

“Hm.” Jungkook’s lip curved upwards.

“Ashleyyyy!!!” Both Jimin and J-Hope yelled.

J-Hope hopped over to her and laced two of hands in her palms. He rocked their hands side to side. “You were…gah. Amazing.” J-Hope’s voice got softer. Then he let go and backed away. His voice got louder. “I swear, if they eliminate you ever in this competition, they are blind!”

“Whoa, let’s not go too far.” Ashley laughed and held her hand up. “If I lose, I lose.”

Jungkook inwardly agreed.

Jimin hopped over to her and took his hat off her head. He placed his hand on her hair and ruffled it crazily.

“Jimin!” Ashley yelled, trying to use her arms to block Jimin’s attack.

Jimin placed the hat backwards on her head again and stepped back. “Victory prize!” He threw up a peace sign.

Ashley’s hair was a mix between a bird’s nest and a hair ball. She started to shake.

Ashley casted her eyes down and then quickly grabbed onto the collar of Jimin’s shirt. “Hey, don’t touch a girl’s hair!” Her expression was priceless. Her eyes were looked like they were drilling a hole into Jimin’s soul. She really did looked pissed.

Jungkook giggled a bit. His hyung was in deep trouble.

“Ashley, I didn’t know you wanted to be this close.” Jimin’s wiggled his eye brows and Ashley quickly released him.

Was his hyung not scared?

“Damn you, Jimin.” Ashley shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair to fix it. Ashley’s manager came over and clasped a hand over her shoulder.

“Well done. I was expecting something this great!” The manager handed her a drink where Ashley happily accepted.

Jungkook noticed that Ashley’s manager has been in a great mood lately. Every time Jungkook saw him, he had a scowl on his face and bags under his eyes. That man was easily grumpy.

Jungkook could only wonder why.

---

Ashley’s POV:

When she was done with the competition, she was overwhelmed by the amount of clapping. So this is what it’s like to perform in front of hundreds. She felt alive. Adrenaline ran through her veins and she felt powerful on stage. She drank in the crowd’s loud cheer. It rang through her ears like church bells. It was on rewind in her mind. Now, more than ever, she wanted to debut. She wanted to be on stage again and make people happy. That is something she always wanted to do.

“Okay let’s get home now. It’s late.” Her manager motioned the group to move towards his car since they were all going the same way.

She got in the front seat and dozed off right away holding onto her flowers.

She was woken up 30 minutes later by someone gently shaking her shoulder.

She rolled her head to the side and smacked the person across the cheek.

The person made an annoyed noise. “Jeez. Why is everyone so mean to me when I’m nice?”

The male placed her arms around his neck and heaved her out of the car, bridal style. Ashley’s head fell gently against his chest.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” Jimin said to the others. “She’s a heavy sleeper. Like Jungkook over there.”

“Jungkook is not awake either.” J-Hope’s voice said, sighing.

“Keep poking him.” Jimin lifted Ashley into a better position. Ashley couldn’t help but notice Jimin’s masculine scent. For a small guy, he was still a man no matter how cute his face seemed to look.

“…Not fair.” J-Hope made a disgruntled noise.

Ashley heard the engine stop running and someone new stepping out.

“Okay, follow me. Since you won’t know how to get inside her dorm.” Her manager told Jimin.

“Lead the way.~” Ashley could hear the cheekiness in Jimin’s voice.

Ashley wanted to stop them. She could walk! But she couldn’t say anything. She was so tired. This week has been one of the most exhausting ones.  

She heard clicking as someone entered the password to her room.

“Hey, I can’t see what you’re typing in.” Jimin leaned over to try to look at what her manager was typing.

“Um, that’s the point?” Her manager shook his head. “Why would she trust any guy besides her manager with the pass code?”

Jimin shoulders moved up and down. “Worth a try I guess.”

Her manager snorted. “Here you go.” Ashley heard the door swing open. “Leave her in there and come out. I’m watching you so no funny business.”

“No, my master plan failed!” Jimin made an exaggerated noise. Ashley imagined him squeezing his eyes shut and throwing his neck back so that his face faced the ceiling.

Ashley wanted to roll her eyes. She couldn’t sleep right away after that outburst. She moved her arms just as Jimin placed her on the bed.

“Sleeping beauty finally awake?” Jimin teased. His face formed into a pout. “And yet the prince has yet given her a kiss. How could this be?”

Ashley gently smacked Jimin’s shoulder. “Get out.” Ashley yawned, rubbed her eyes and then pointed to the door.

Jimin chuckled. Jimin turned his head and noticed the manager was talking on the phone. He placed his elbows on the edge of her bed. “Cute room you have.” He winked.

Ashley groaned. “Jiminnnn.” She whined. She didn’t mind his company but she wanted to get undressed and sleep.

“Ashleyyy!~” He mimicked her. He grinned playfully and then his face turned sincere. “That was great performance you know. I couldn’t stop watching. You have powerful stage presence.”

Ashley was shocked. Jimin was finally talking to her normally. “Thank you.” She blushed. It was like three compliments in one. “I messed up though. Several times.”

She remembered them too. They were small mistakes but it almost made her lose focus.

Jimin waved his hand in the air. “Didn’t notice one single bit.” Jimin bit his lip and got up from her bed.

“Gotta go though. Night princess.” He winked and turned towards the hallway.

“Wait your hat!” Ashley grabbed onto it.

“Keep it.” Jimin placed two fingers on his lips and then placed it on her door. “See you later, Ash.” He waved and left the room. Her manager, with a phone to his ears nodded at her and shut the door.

Ashley sat still on the bed, blushing madly. Damn you, Park Jimin. She got up to quickly change and wipe off all the make up on her face.

When she was done, she sat on her bed and thought about the day’s events. She touched the bouquet of flowers that sat on her night stand. She needed a vase for it, which she didn’t have yet.

“Oh yeah, J-Hope’s card.” She reached inside the flowers and pulled out a pink envelope plastered with cute stickers.

She opened it.

“Hey Ashley! Kyakya. This is a little embarrassing. I hope today went well. Even if it didn’t, use this to make you feel better. Hrm.~ Anyways, straight to the point.

Text this number right now. There is something important I want to ask.

xxx-xxx-xxxx”

I’m your hope! –J-Hope <3

Ashley took out her phone and texted the number.

“J-Hope?”

She pressed the sent button.

Ashley wondered what important question he wanted to ask. Her heart raced thinking about it. Was he in trouble? Did he want to talk about what had happened today?

A second later, her phone blinked. Ashley quickly grabbed it to read the message.

“Got room for another texting buddy? ^3^’