Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Zoey

No more hiding

I'm done shining

Like I'm boO-

My mind took a mental stumble, only my muscle memory propelling my steps along the backtrack. 

“Rumi?” I paused, noticing something off. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Rumi cleared her throat. The music stopped. “Uh, I’m good. From the top.”

Mira and I stole a glance at each other, and she shrugged. Voice crack– happens to the best of us. 

We started the routine again, stage lights shining above us. “Golden” was going to be our best show yet. It was the key to sealing the Honmoon, and I had worked on the lyrics for months until it was perfect. 

Just as Rumi was approaching the high note, it happened again. The music paused, as did Mira and I. My brow furrowed. Something was wrong.

“Rumi,” I approached her gently, resting my hand on the sequined jacket. I didn’t want her to feel pressured because this performance could make or break not just our careers, but the Honmoon. “We can take a break.”

“I just,” Rumi was breathing unusually heavily, blinking fast, and shielding away from the lights. “I just need a minute.”

She suddenly turned and rushed out to the wings, heading for the dressing rooms. In her place before me stood Mira, stern concern etched in her face. 

“Girls, what’s wrong?” Bobby’s voice rang from the dark mezzanine.  

“I think…” my words failed me, unsure of what to say. I looked back into the dark wings, every muscle in my body wishing to run to check on Rumi.

“Let’s take a breather,” Mira filled in for me. “Thanks, Bobby.”

Mira’s hand rested reassuringly on my back as I gave her a small smile of gratitude. We rushed to the dressing rooms and knocked on Rumi’s door. No response.

“Rumi?” I knocked again, a little more softly. “It’s me, Zoey. And Mira.”

“Rumi, we’re coming in,” Mira slowly opened the unlocked door. The room was empty. Makeup, clothes, and snack wrappers scattered under the bright vanity lights glowing around the mirror. 

“Where could she be?” Panic creeped into my voice as I stepped into the room, looking behind the clothing rack as if I would find her hidden behind the shiny costumes. 

We’ve all been so busy lately, wrapping up our final tour and beginning the last-minute “Golden” release, and I hated seeing Rumi stressed. 

“Hey,” Mira gently grabbed my arm and turned me so I faced her. “I’m sure she’s alright. She can take care of herself.” 

I gazed into her steady dark brown eyes, consciously slowing down my breathing. Her hands rested on my shoulders, and I focused on her sharp winged eyeliner that really made her eyes pop. I smiled softly, grateful for a friend like her. 

***

Mira

She doesn’t know how I feel for her. How the corners of my mouth lift up when I see her eager eyes. How my heart softens when I see her bright smile. How I laugh to myself when she goes on a rant about turtles. How my stomach flutters when we brush upon each other’s arms. 

We’re sitting in a chilly doctor’s office, filled with sharp herbal scents that make me scrunch my nose. Rumi has been taken in to see the doctor, and Zoey is sitting beside me in the waiting room, giddy to show us the wonders of the so-called “Healer Han”. 

I was skeptical, of course. But I didn’t want to crush Zoey’s kind eagerness. 

“I drank the cranberry tonic, and I was practically healed overnight!”

I smiled softly, listening to Zoey’s story about her first encounter with the doctor, and how he miraculously cured all her maladies. Zoey had fallen ill to the flu, and she had been taking the doctor’s “tonics”, which I really suspect are just watered down juice, for a week without signs of getting better. I remember I had sat by her that night, presenting her with a warm bowl of ginger chicken soup. It was what healed me in the rare times I’d caught a cold. Zoey woke up the next day, bright eyed and better than ever. She had praised the doctor since, and I hadn’t had the heart to tell her otherwise. 

 “She’s lucky to have a good friend like you,” I said. 

“You guys are my family,” Zoey beamed, suddenly grabbing both my hands into hers, startling me. Her warm soft hands were gentle, waving my hands a little in a playful way. 

My heart skipped a beat like it always does. Knowing I shouldn’t expect anything, yet fully in desire of something more. I still wasn’t used to physical touch, but I would hug a hundred strangers to be close with her. 

“I’m really grateful to have you, Mira. You’re an amazing friend.”

Yeah. A friend.