rooftop → taennie.

17 | the pretentious world of fame.

END of the year award shows had begun. the days had become more and more stressful to say the least. which meant that the girls of blackpink spent a good amount of time practicing in their practice room. sometimes jennie ran into hanbin, she simply bowed and smiled at him because they weren't really allowed to talk with the members of ikon.

they only pretended to not talk to them when in reality, all the members of blackpink and ikon were good friends. they just had to pretend for the cameras and their ceo. jennie was pretty sure that even the staff at yg entertainment knew about their friendship but everyone kept it a secret.

whenever she saw hanbin, a weird feeling developed in the pit of her stomach. it was different, unameable and undescribable. all the feelings she had towards taehyung (which she desperately wanted to go away) and the newly developing feelings for hanbin put her in an even bigger dilemma.

she had known hanbin for years. before she met taehyung, jennie thought she had a crush on hanbin and she got teased a million times about it from the girls. but she could easily ignore those feelings unlike her feelings for taehyung. before she could figure out what her feelings were with ease and now she felt like she didn't even know herself.

jennie was currently seated at the table assigned for blackpink, drumming her fingers on the glass table with her classic resting bitch face on. she couldn't help but be bored.

she was at an after-party for the golden disk awards. all she did was repeat the same actions over and over again - bow, smile and pretend like you're fine.

she looked around the large room filled with idols. they all looked so happy like they were actually enjoying the night but that was barely even close to the truth. most of them just like her were pretending. keeping their fake masks on.

when in reality all of them were tired, sick, wanting to go home and get the rest they deserved. each one of them had their one problems which they just couldn't let break them down. being an idol was a difficult task, tedious even. the spotlight came with it's prices which were often overlooked by most of the people seated in the room. the thought of what was hiding behind those masks made jennie sick to her stomach.

"jennie." she heard her name being called out by a voice behind her. "lost in thought?" irene asked taking up the empty chair beside her.

"just tired." jennie smiled back. irene was the beautifully gorgeous leader of red velvet and also jennie's close friend. she was one of those few rare people in the industry who weren't fake, who didn't use other people for fame. jennie ofcourse was friends with the other members of red velvet but something made her and irene the closest.

"ugh." irene groaned. "i'm sick of being in this room. it's scary how awfully fake everyone keeps acting. you wanna go out to get some fresh air?" she asked.

jennie couldn't resist the offer. she herself was thinking about it but then refrained, worrying about the paparazzi outside. the two girls stood up and walked out the hotel into the garden, politely bowing to the seniors they passed by. the night outside was silent. the cool air hugged their petite bodies as they strolled towards a magnificent fountain.

"so how's stuff with yang hyun sucks?" irene sighed. they could finally be themselves, talk freely about the difficulties gnawing them as they were away from the pretentious world of fame.

for once they were just two girls talking about life and not world-famous celebreties.

jennie snorted at her question. "just like you'd expect it to be. how's lazy man handling you?" they were far enough from the crowd of celebs and paparazzi so they used the ridiculous but fitting nicknames they came up with for their ceos.

"if you call extreme diets and practicing till you feel like you can't walk or speak anymore fine. then yes, we are completely and absolutely fine." she answered.

"atleast you get a comeback."

the bitter truth hung in the air as both of the girls poured their hearts out to each other. somehow it helped, like a little weight was getting lifted of their chest with every confession they made. the night dragged as both of them laughed on the silly jokes.

"irene!" a voice hollered. seulgi came rushing towards the two girls and stopped before them, panting. "oh hello jennie." she smiled turning to jennie and then faced irene. "we gotta go, manger's calling."

"oh okay. you head in, i'll be there in a few." irene replied. "so i guess, i've gotta go now. it was nice talking to you jen. wish we could see each other more often." her smile held a tinge of sadness.

"bye, have a safe ride home!" jennie shouted at the elder girl as she headed inside.

jennie didn't want to go back in yet so she sat on the edge of the fountain and checked her phone to see a message from her manager.

MANAGER.
we'll be leaving in
an hour. you can
have some free time
till then.

an hour was more than enough for jennie who wanted some time for herself. she closed her eyes and let the cold air fill her. she felt better after talking with irene, it took her mind off the things she had been so stressed about. jennie was grateful she found a friend like irene. irene was like the elder sister she never had.

"hi." a voice coming from beside her spoke up startling jennie.

"oh my god! hanbin you scared me." jennie clutched her heart in fear. hanbin burst into laughter looking at jennie's reaction.

"your face-" he spoke between his laughter. "-it was priceless." he said still laughing his ass off.

"shut up." she retorted, slapping him on the shoulder.

"ouch." he hissed, rubbing the spot where jennie's hand landed.

"how long have you been here?"

"long enough. time flies by fast when you're admiring a piece of art."

jennie felt her ears turn red. had he just called her a piece of art or was she misinterpreting his words? "w-what do you mean?"

"i mean to say that you look beautiful."

their eyes found each others' and he smiled making butterflies erupt in jennie's stomach.