"Hey! Good morning, Y/N!"

Y/N turned towards the source of the familiar voice, a smile already forming on her lips. There he stood, his dark hair slightly tousled, giving him a boyish charm.

"Hey, Taehyung! Good morning!", y/n replied, her voice filled with genuine cheerfulness. Her heart, unknowingly fluttering slightly as she met his gaze.

Taehyung's eyes, a deep shade of brown, full of genuine concern, studied her intently.
"So, how are you?" he asked, his voice gentle.

For a moment, Y/N found herself lost in his deep, expressive eyes. It was like looking into a vast, comforting ocean, one that she could easily drown in if she wasn't careful. She mentally shook herself, trying to regain composure. "Um, yeah, yeah, I'm fine." she stammered, inwardly cringing at her own nervousness.

*Why did I have to stammer?* she thought, mentally slapping herself.

They continued walking towards their classroom, the corridor bustling with students. Their conversation flowed naturally, filled with light banter and laughter. It was one of the things Y/N loved most about her friendship with Taehyung - how easy it was to talk to him, how he always seemed to understand her so well.

As they approached the entrance to their classroom, a new notice on the board caught their attention. Several students were gathered around it, their excited chatter filling the hallway with a buzz of anticipation.

Curiosity piqued, Y/N and Taehyung made their way to the board. They read the notice, which had sparked such enthusiasm:

*From today onwards, there will be a 2-hour skit play practice session after classes (4 pm), at the auditorium*

"Great!" Y/N exclaimed, her excitement mirroring that of the other students. She turned to Taehyung, who was also smiling broadly.

"This is amazing!" Taehyung said, his voice filled with genuine joy. "I've been wanting more practice time for ages."
He said while looking at y/n and smiling softly.

Y/N nodded in agreement. "Me too!"

They walked into their respective classroom, their spirits lifted by the unexpected news. The prospect of extra practice time filled them with anticipation, making the day seem brighter and full of possibilities.

As the lesson began, Taehyung couldn't help but glance at her occasionally through the window. She was sitting by the window of her own class, the sunlight casting a soft, almost ethereal glow on her features. Her long hair shimmered like silk in the light, and he watched as she took notes diligently, her brow furrowed in concentration.

She looked adorable when she was so focused, her pen moving swiftly across the paper as she absorbed every word from the teacher.

A small smile played on Taehyung's lips as he thought about the extra time they would have together after classes, practicing and improving their skills. He imagined her laughter as they would practice their dialogues with each other, the way her eyes would light up when she finally impressed the teachers. Those moments were his favorite - the stolen glances, the shared smiles, the lingering touches as they did during the play.

Maybe, just maybe, the extra time would give him the courage to finally tell her how he felt. He pictured the scene in his mind as it was in the play:
Standing under the huge old oak tree by the lake, the moon shining brightly behind them, casting a soothing, white glow over everything.

The leaves would be rustling gently in the evening breeze, casting dancing shadows on the ground. He would approach her slowly, his heart pounding in his chest, and call her name softly. She would turn, her eyes meeting his with a look of love and warmth.

He would reach out, gently taking her hand in his, feeling the softness of her skin against his own. With a steady voice, he'd begin to speak, every word delicately chosen to convey the depth of the feelings he had kept hidden for so long.

"Did you all Understand!!!" Sir's loud voice brought me back to my reality.
...

He again watched her, as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her expression one of pure determination as she continued to take notes.

And for now, he was content to watch her through the window, his heart swelling with unspoken affection. Each glance was a promise of the future, a silent vow that one day, he would gather the courage to bridge the gap between them and reveal the depth of his feelings. Until then, he would cherish these quiet moments, finding joy in the simple act of watching the girl he adored.

....

---Time skip---

From that day onwards, the teachers took extra care while handling the props. Each item was meticulously checked before use, ensuring that no mishap would disrupt our play again. Despite the added caution, a cloud of worry still hung over us, a reminder of how one small mistake could have such significant consequences.

Emily, however, was advised to rest and not perform for two weeks. This was hard for her and our team, especially as we were approaching the final day of rehearsals.

When Sir gathered us all in the auditorium to announce that Emily's role would be reassigned, the news hit us like a ton of bricks. But I knew that. After visiting Emily in the infirmary and seeing her, unwavering spirit, determined smile and enthusiasm, Sir had decided to reassign her role rather than remove her from the play entirely.

"Emily will be given the role of the witch" Sir announced, his voice echoing through the silent auditorium. "And Nana will step into Emily's original role."

The decision was a compromise that allowed Emily time to recover, as the witch's role came later in the play and demanded less strenuous activity. Though it was a bittersweet change, we consoled Emily with the thought that something was better than nothing. She would still be part of the performance, in a different role.

The days flew by in a whirlwind of rehearsals and adjustments. The stage crew scrambled to reblock scenes, while Nana worked tirelessly to memorize her new lines. Meanwhile, Emily focused on her health, her enthusiasm never waning. She practiced her lines for the witch at her home.

...

-----Y/N's pov-----

Today, I decided to visit Emily at her home to see how she was doing. The walk to her house was filled with a mix of excitement and concern, but I knew seeing her would put my mind at ease.

Door bell ring...

The door was opened by a maid, who, after a brief inquiry, escorted me to Emily's room.

Emily's home was grand and luxurious, with each detail finely crafted to create a seamless blend of elegance and modernity. The exterior, a beautiful mix of stone and glass, giving a welcoming warmth, while the interior boasted high ceilings, decorated chandeliers, and rich wooden floors. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and the furniture was a perfect mix of comfort and style, with plush sofas and antique pieces that hinted at a rich history.

After a brief pause following my knock, I heard Emily's voice call out, "Come in."

I slowly entered the room. There she lay on a grand, king-sized bed positioned at the center. The room was painted in soothing shades off white and cool blue, creating a serene and calming atmosphere. Soft, natural light filtered through the large windows, casting a gentle glow over the room. The bed was adorned with a plush duvet and an array of pillows, making it look incredibly inviting.

To one side of the room stood a beautifully crafted wooden dresser, topped with a variety of delicate ornaments and a vase of fresh flowers. Opposite the bed was a cozy reading corner with a comfortable armchair and a small bookshelf filled with books. A soft, plush rug lay underfoot, adding to the room's warmth and comfort. The room had an air of tranquility, perfectly suited for rest and recovery.

She looked up as I entered, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Hey Y/N" she greeted me, her voice cheerful despite her pale expression.

"Hey, Emily!", I replied, and asked her about her health, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing okay." she said with a shrug. "Bored out of my mind, but okay."

I smiled, and said "Well, we miss you in classes and also at rehearsals. It's not the same without you."

"I miss you guys too." Emily admitted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But I'm glad I still get to be a part of it, even if it's as the witch."

"You're going to be the best witch ever." I assured her, squeezing her hand.

Emily looked up, a smile spreading across her face despite the evident fatigue. "Come sit."

I sat beside her, pulling out her favorite chocolate from my bag. Her eyes lit up as she saw it, and she reached out, hugging me tightly.

"Thank you for this, Y/N."

"Why thanks? Am I not your friend? Huh?" I teased her.

"Yeah, yeah, you are my bestest friend." she exclaimed, and they both chuckled.

"Where are your parents?" I asked, looking around the quiet room.

"Oh, they are busy with business calls." she said with a hint of resignation.

"Yeah, I wish I could greet them."

"I'll say hello to them on your behalf." she promised.

They then talked about her days and mine while enjoying some snacks brought by the maid. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated with laughter and shared memories. The comfort of her room and the warmth of our friendship made the time pass swiftly.

In between our chat, she suddenly brought up the same question she had asked me the other day. Taking a deep breath, I told her that we shouldn't be doing this and shared my views and thoughts on the matter. At first, Emily's face was expressionless, but then she broke into a broad smile and hugged me tightly.

"I agree, and I'll support this. But you have to promise me you won't allow yourself to get hurt." She said.

Breaking into a smile, my eyes glistened. This was the first time I had such a beautiful, not only beautiful but a caring friend. "I promise." I replied earnestly.

"Let's watch something?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"A movie?"

"Yeah!"

I joined her on the bed, and they snuggled under the plush duvet, choosing a movie that they both loved. As the opening credits rolled, I felt a deep sense of contentment. The bond between us was unbreakable, and in that moment, everything felt right in the world.

We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and reminiscing about past performances, the room filled with laughter and shared memories. As the movie played, we commented on our favorite scenes, shared our dreams for the future, and planned what we would do once Emily was fully recovered. The afternoon flew by, and as the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden light into the room, I knew it was time to go.

As I left Emily's house later that day, my heart felt lighter. I knew that no matter what challenges we faced, we would pull through together, our bonds of friendship stronger than ever.

----End of pov-----

...

Days passed with a flurry of classes, rehearsals, and visits to Emily. Soon, she was well on her way to recovery, though still not fully healed. With just one week left until our performance, the pressure was on to rehearse the whole play, especially the important scenes-the ball dance and the ending part.

-----Taehyung's POV-----

The stage lights dimmed slightly, casting a warm glow across the room.

Jimin, who was standing beside me, nudged my arm with a mischievous grin. Leaning in close, he whispered just loud enough for me to hear, "Oooo, bro, get ready! You are going to hold her and dance with y/n-or should I say, your wife?" He then continued while giving a playful smile, "Since you are going to confess your love and then ask her for marriage."

"Jimin!" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one else had heard him. My eyes darted nervously over the crowd, searching for any sign of eavesdroppers and making sure that no one heard it. The last thing I needed was for my secret to be exposed before the right moment. I pinched his waist, making him whine softly. "It's in the play!"

"Ouch..." he muttered, rubbing the spot where I had pinched him. "I know it's a play, but you'll have to ask her out, right (in reality)?" He said while winking at me.

I couldn't help but smile at his words. The thought of actually asking y/n out in real life made my heart flutter. Mumbling a soft "yes" I turned away, not wanting Jimin to see the flush of excitement spreading across my face.

But even though I stopped Jimin from saying more, I couldn't deny my own excitement. I had wanted to dance with her from the start but never had the chance. The thought of making her mine, holding her hands, looking into her beautiful eyes, and being so close to her made my heart flutter with anticipation.

I was so excited that I couldn't help but approach Y/N, knowing we were dance partners. After all, we were playing the roles of prince and princess. It felt so right. My heart raced as I imagined the dance, our movements perfectly in sync, the audience watching in awe as we brought the fairy tale to life, for our sweet little audience.

I was smiling to myself, imagining the dance, but that smile couldn't last long. Just then, three dance teachers came in, and one of them called me over while another called y/n. They told us that since we were the centre of the dance, we needed to be perfect, so they had assigned individual teachers to us for extra practice.

My hopes shattered. Sighing inwardly, I thought, I shouldn't have been too excited. Sigh!!!...
But it's okay, on the final rehearsal and performance, we will dance together. I'll wait, till then.

I glanced at Y/N and saw her sigh as well.
Was it my imagination, or was she also upset by this?"

"Taehyung." the voice of the dance teacher brought me back to reality, and I hurriedly walked towards them.

Keeping a bittersweet smile, I cooperated with my dance teacher, focusing on perfecting my steps for the day we could finally dance together. The dance studio was filled with the sound of classical music, our steps echoing as we moved across the polished floor. My teacher was relentless, correcting every minor mistake, pushing me to embody the grace and elegance of a prince.

One day! I thought to myself with a smile, we'll make this moment last forever.

~~~~~~🪻💜(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)💜🪻~~~~~~

One day surely!!😉

Stay tuned for the next episode....✌️

Till then enjoy your life to your fullest!! Be happy, safe and keep smiling! It looks pretty on you🌟!
Borahae💜🩷<3

See you soon ✨