"And then you're going to hold her hand," the production director, or PD, says to Jungkook, gesturing wildly into the empty air. He's a bulky man with a goatee, wearing all black and a flowy coat even though it's sweltering July. "And then, you're going to swoop her off her feet. Carrying her wedding style down the path towards the river. Got it?"

Her is very obviously me, but somehow I still can't believe it. Surely the PD means Jesstina and Nabi, not me. In terms of being romantic, I'm probably a two out of ten in showing it well on camera. Call it the awkwardness of never having a boyfriend before, but I just don't think it's a good idea for Jungkook and I to act like newlyweds in the middle of our second music video.

"PD," I say, inclining my head respectfully. "I just don't think it's appropriate for our music video."

"Of course it is," he says. "We all know what 'Greek God' is about. And you and Jungkook could really carry the theme."

"Everyone thinks of it as a heterosexual love story," Nabi mutters under her breath.

It catches me by surprise. Nabi is usually the first to be agreeable, but maybe Yuna's departure has all changed us in some way. Jesstina scoots over to Nabi, giving her a playful half-hug as if agreeing that the world we live in is too narrow-minded.

"Please reconsider," I say, speaking quickly in case someone questions what Nabi muttered. "Are you sure this is the right direction for our group dynamic?"

"Of course it is," PD says. "You two are together, right?"

I watch in horror as Jungkook nods. "I'm on board. As long as we follow the storyline of the lyrics."

Everyone on the team looks at me, and I can feel the pressure to change my mind like the ground is rising around me to swallow me. Even though I'm the leader of the group, we're not supposed to be so outspoken—especially as rookies. "Okay," I end up saying. "But if we can put a limit on the romance, that would be great."

"Let's begin," PD says, rubbing his hands together as if trying to create a spark.

Jungkook and I are beginning with a duo shot. As the camera pans over to us, I hold Jungkook's hand and try to ignore the suspicion that Nabi and Jesstina are having the time of their lives as observers.

Of course, naturally, I've imagined holding Jungkook's hand as if we can traipse through a crowd on our first date. But I never thought the day would ever come where I could hold his hand in public. Even after we agreed that we're "dating," it's still so hard for me to believe that we're actually together in some sense.

My hand fits in his easily, and the warmth of his skin transfers to mind—so much so that my whole body covers itself with a flush.

"We need you both to relax a bit more," PD says, shouting as the cameramen sidle up next to us.

Jungkook adjusts his hand, and at the same time, he whispers, "this is new to me too."

It unlocks a strange ember in me. Of course, I know that Jungkook definitely has had a crush before, maybe being in love. How else would he sing his lyrics with such genuine emotion? But maybe he means this—he's never been allowed to do this in public.

I imagine a person on the faraway bridge, snapping photos of us to be shared with millions around the world. It scares me. At the same time....

This is Jungkook. I knew that when I accepted him on my team, the Fates wouldn't be the same. Maybe Jungkook and I can be a couple, and maybe that's what our group needs. Still, it doesn't help the butterflies that are birthed in my stomach and flutter up into my lungs.

"Ready," I tell the PD once he adjusts the camera by a few centimeters.

The music blares behind me, the memory of Yuna and the hope of an encompassing sort of love drawing out the real emotion in me.

Maybe I don't want this to just be an act. Maybe Jungkook and I are more than just a romance for the good of the group.

The lyrics about the perfect person—the god or goddess, haunt me as Jungkook and I walk toward the river. A part of me wonders what it'd be like if we just kept going—kept walking until we were fully submerged and the coolness would melt away all the worries of debut.

Because even having Jungkook with me and the amazing reaction by our fans, there are still doubts whether I'm meant to be in the Fates, meant to be the leader of the revolution of what destiny could mean.

And then I glance over at the boy beside me. His golden contacts catch the summer sun, reminding me of rich caramel. As I adjust, his jaw also turns in my direction. He grins, but it's such a small shift in his demeanor that I'm sure I'm imagining it.

The camera and the whole team melt away. For three seconds, it's just me, Jungkook, and the summer blaze. If I look closely, there's a pinkish tint to his cheeks that he doesn't bother to hide. In fact, his other hand is in his pocket, his thumb and index finger split across the pocket opening. I glance up from his fingers, and he leans just an inch or two closer as we take our next step together. If I let myself believe that he likes me—

"Cut!" PD yells. "Great shot. Now, we need Jungkook to sweep Karma off her feet. Real movie-like style. Got it?"

The spell may be broken, but it returns in full force as Jungkook tries to carry me wedding-style. My train catches against his shoe, and I almost go spiraling down to the floor.

It's almost impossible in our costumes, and soon the sweat is so profuse that I feel like I'm in the middle of a dance shoot.

"Ready?" Jungkook whispers under his breath.

I think back to those five boys in Chicago. Although they never physically put their hands on me, that was my fear for years. The verbal abuse was crystalline, and I thought that it would take a turn for the worse eventually.

But Jungkook earned my trust. He proved that he is nothing like those boys. And even though there's a possibility that he could hurt me, I don't dwell on that. While holding his hand and tanning in the sun, I think that my only regret is not accepting him sooner.

He leans into me and sweeps me off my feet, my heels going flying as I press my palm against his chest. Against his strong frame, I imagine that this is the prom experience that I missed out on.

I count to eight as Jungkook and I hobble toward the river. But it's an endearing sort of hobble, one that I think the fans will enjoy replaying on their screens. Jungkook releases a heavy puff and sets me down, my bare feet warming against the concrete.

"That was perfect," I tell him, unable to stop meeting those gorgeous eyes.

The PD makes a sound between a squeal and a grunt, but it does sound like approval. I can't help myself. I hug Jungkook quickly, trying to memorize the outline of his shoulders. Maybe this is a celebration of getting that perfect shot. Maybe it's something more. I count to two before skipping off to where my heels fell, like a pair of dark magenta doves.

Jungkook follows, his shadow crossing mine. I follow the shadow of his hand ruffling his hair, watching as our outlines blur together. Nabi, Jesstina, and Kristine yell out for an encore.

If there ever was an encore, maybe I'd be able to memorize the feelings, the rush all throughout my nervous system, like taking a love elixir in one massive gulp.

A/N: Although getting swept off my feet is a definite dream of mines, maybe not in front of a camera! 

Did this chapter give you prom vibes too? I'm living for the PDs detailed directions.