[Joy POV]
Do you know the feeling of intense emotions from hearing and seeing something, someone, so beautiful? In the arts, they call it the aesthetic experience, and I just found myself crying at the sheer perfection these two boys are tonight.
The first song ended. The crowd burst into cheers and applause. Everyone was requesting an encore. On the verge of the moment, after making a small bow to the crowd, Lance started to play a melody with his violin and JC played the piano. After a few seconds, JC started to sing the lyrics of "Qing Fei De Yi", a song from the television series Meteor Garden.
Everyone started clapping. It was Jeana's favorite song. She was smiling from ear to ear and clapping together with everyone to the beats of the song.
Suddenly, Lance handed over the violin and joined to sing the chorus along with JC. Lance looked a bit shy and nervous, but he still performed well. And of course, his cute smile immediately charmed the crowd. Lance's voice was perfect and so was JC's.
It was a beautiful moment. The music completely lighted the room. It felt like a spotlight shined on the two of them and I've been watching as the only audience. It brought me to a whole new world. It felt like the two of them are singing to me and it is just impossible not to fall in love.
From time to time, the two of them would glance at each other and smile. Their bond was beautiful, and I am proud of the friendship they have made through the years. They perfectly complement each other and inside my heart, I know that I will do everything just for both of them to be happy.
The song ended. JC stood up from the piano seat and held Lance's hand. They bowed to the crowd and received large applause. There were shouts and they even received a standing ovation. They looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter.
Yes! Those two are my best friends and I'm really proud of them!
[JR POV]
Whoa!
What was that? These two are out of this world! I wish I can play an instrument like that. I even tried once, a guitar, but I suck at it. I can't even be in tune and sing.
First, I wanted to tease on how sweet they are sharing that stage and glancing at each other's eyes, but the performance was just too great. It was professional!
The thing is, this is not the last thing to anticipate at this party. The celebrant just exited to change attire for her performance, a pop song with all eighteen boys with roses, a tradition called the 18 roses.
Apparently one of them is Lance. I've never seen him dance. He never dances. JC is also one of them, but everyone has already seen him dance, he's really good at it, that even made him win the Moon competition back in junior high school.
As for me, I just returned to the buffet table for my second meal. I always need energy especially since I'm an athlete. Yes, that's the only thing I'm good at, especially considering my height, a basketball athlete's height. I'm also good at playing online games.
The other boys danced with Jeanna. They all came in holding one rose. After a while, JC comes in dancing to a sexy song that made the crowd laugh. He did those body rolls he always boasted about. He finished the dance with a very strong pose which earned another cheer from the crowd and a laugh from Jeanna.
Then came Lance. A soft melody started to play.
He began to move. Whoa! I was speechless.
He danced with sharp and refined movements and moved gracefully to the melodies of "Springday" by BTS. He is creating forms like a ballet dancer swaying the crowd. I didn't know he can dance like this.
God, what can I say? I thought that he will act funny and cute, but the truth is, he slays! Why is he so great at everything he does? He always does everything perfectly and professionally. I aspire to be like him one day. He is my idol.
His dance was elegant. His hair flies with the rhythm, and he creates beautiful movements. Like me, the crowd was speechless, you can never speak after witnessing such beauty.
I was overwhelmed by this boy again!
[JC POV]
I was captivated.
During our performance, it felt like we were alone amidst the large crowd. He seemed to be playing the violin for me and singing me the song. My heart fluttered at that moment.
Afterward, I saw him dance. It was unlike any other. Comparing it to my funny and sexy moment on stage, I looked like someone trying hard to look handsome. Lance brings magic to everything he does. He captures everyone. This is what drew me to him back then.
As the party ended, we all headed outside. I went near Lance. On his other side was Joy. JR, on the other hand, rushed to my side and place his arm around me. We were back together. I missed these moments as we stay beside each other during special moments.
On the brink of an eye, streaks of red, green, and yellow light shot to the sky. We watched the fireworks side by side. Joy clung her arm around Lance. Slowly, I tried to hold Lance's hand. When he felt my hand slightly touching his, he quickly held it without thinking twice, he looked at me and smile.
Our friendship brought at to this point. We all find comfort in each other's company. I will do everything just to protect them. I will sacrifice everything just to make them all happy.
The fireworks ended and the four of us stayed like that for a while. Lance's phone suddenly rang. He broke from our hold and asked for an excuse to leave. He walked towards the nearby pool and sat talking to the person on the phone.
I sat beside him. He seemed worried for a while but afterward, he let out a gasp of air and sighed of relief. It must be someone he really cares for. He kept on asking if the person was fine. Part of me felt relieved that he had a friend he worries for, the other felt a little jealous that I am not just the one in my best friend's life.
The phone call ended. Lance glanced at me and smiled.
"Why are you here?" He softly asked.
"I just want to keep you company," I replied.
"Thank you," he spoke. "For always being there for me, I now know how hard it is to constantly worry for someone."
"You've grown up," I said playing with his hair to cheer him up. He felt quite sad after that phone call.
"Promise me one thing," he said. "Never worry about me anymore."
"Why?" I asked.
"Just don't worry about me, consider your own happiness first," he said.
"You know that all of your happiness is my happiness, right?" I said.
"Just promise to me, don't worry for me anymore. I can now bravely face the world by myself," he added.
I nodded.
I wish I can be true to those words. I wish I will have the courage to let them go one day. I don't know if we can stay like this forever. All I know is that the love in my heart stays the same.
[Lance POV]
The party officially ended. I only felt one emotion. I am happy. Chris even called tonight, after asking where I was, he assured me that he is doing well now. All of my worries have come to rest, and I pray that Chris will continue to do well.
The entire day was amazing. I have spent most of it catching up with all of my friends. We shared stories and laughed at them. They even constantly praised me for my performances tonight. It turned out, I surprised them. I missed them a lot and tonight we are all together.
We went back to our rooms. Most of them slept but JR and JC, together with Laurence and Christian, never wasted a second and started to play with their online game.
I have a confession to make. I did return to the big room but don't blame me for it, someone might need to use the vacant rooms!
I was spent for the day, so I quickly went to take a shower. I changed to comfortable clothes, a simple light-blue shirt, and pajamas. I sat on the bed. JC kept looking at me ever since I went out of the bathroom. Oh gosh, please stop staring at me! It feels weird!
JR looked at me funnily, as if thinking of his next move.
He looked at JC and whispered something in his ears. JC immediately hit him on the head. Afterward, they returned to their game.
I, on the other hand, immediately went to sleep. It was a great night.
[JC POV]
Lance just went out of the bathroom. Shit! I can't stop looking at him.
"He looks cute, doesn't he?" JR whispered to me.
I quickly hit him in the head. He almost jumped from the bed.
All of the memories we made today quickly played inside my head. Playing music and singing with Lance, it's as if we're back in the old days. I remembered what he said to me in the pool. I wondered if I can really let go.
Being apart from them only for months is already hard. I pondered if I could go on with life without them. I got used to our friendship that I find it difficult to find what really makes me happy in life, all I know is that they are my happiness, and I wanted our friendship to last forever.
For now, I just know that I missed them a lot. Looking at him, I still see the kind young boy back then. And I just want to hug him tight. If not only for JR, who always knows how to ruin the moment, I might have actually gone to Lance and cuddled him in his bed. I just can't stop looking at him, perhaps, he really looks cute in his light-blue pajamas.