by Diego Xavier
"And to finish this round of presentations, our last Harvard boy candidate, JUNG BAEYONG, let's hear it"
The world begins to be in slow motion, the happiness that inhabited it outside turning into discomfort and tension, Charles looks at him quickly and says in his ear that he did not need to do it, since he did not feel well. For Bae, only Charles was out of that slow motion, he tapes him with his gaze, hugs C. and says.
- I need to beat my ghosts from the past... I am going! – Bae hugging his friend even more and heading towards the master of ceremonies who announced his name once more and passed the microphone to Bae who talks to the audience – I was not planning to introduce myself today, but someone made me ascend spiritually and gave me strength to overcome what had already done me harm, and I will be grateful forever. I'm sorry if I didn't bring something that made an impact, I didn't have anything prepared – Ria Bae – But the song I'm going to sing now will be with all my heart, sometimes love is good, but sometimes it can hurt us fiercely, I hope you like it.
Jung Baeyong sits on the long, shiny black piano, his clothes and face were more divine than ever, admirably he was an experienced pianist and as soon as he starts playing Adele's Someone a Like you, you can already hear the euphoria of the audience. His voice, as Charles always said, was really one of the most spectacular ever heard by the people who were there, with each new vocal a feeling transpared from Bae and was just him, the piano and the light under both, only a true artist manages to delight the audience with such simplicity. In the chorus one could already hear people singing with him and his heart out filling with hope and peace for feeling the love of those who saw him in the air, Charles seeing the friend perform beautifully cried, for him Bae was super talented and seeing him open and receiving all the positive energy he would be was very gratifying. In the penultimate chorus Baeyong asks the audience to sing, and everyone there begin to drop their voices in Adele's universal anthem, it seemed like a real show, everyone was already standing and with their cell phones on, equally when it is done in a stadium, when the audience was singing and the hired pianist takes his place, Bae puts the microphone on the stand and returns to sing the last part alone , after realizing that people had welcomed him and sung with him, tears begin to descend on his face and his voice coming out more wonderful than before it was. Ending the song in tears with the audience standing there, cheering him for a long time, Bae bowed and wiped away tears, as he left the stage everyone shouted his name and this love made him feel the most special person in the universe. Charles goes to meet him running down the halls.
- BAEYOOONG – shouts Charles jumping over his friend again and both crying thrilled at everything that was going on.
- Thank you Charles, thank you friend - said Bae - And I love you, remember me saying that the universe was crazy to make me meet you three times, but now I thank him, because otherwise I would not be happy now, I love you friend - embraced Baeyong to Charles strongly and tears fall. The crying babies themselves!
Without a doubt, the performance that no one expected and were suspicious ends up winning the heart of everyone, a true pop music star called him. They will retouch the makeup, Bae entered the stage without much and was already an angel himself, but should also prepare like everyone else if he wanted to participate in the final selection, the MC announces the 10 finalists to go on stage, to see Charles and his friends, Dora does not hold back I release a "That's my boy Charles , gives pride to his grandmother", the four had passed to the penultimate stage and now the public would vote in the five most beautiful of the night, joining the two notes, judges and audience, would have the finalists. The audience votes and again the four are among the five finalists, Baeyong did not care for the prize, only having finally sung had already won the night, the MC would announce the real winner.
"I'm a little surprised, it should be the first time this should occur, but four people tied, as may be possible, Charles, Jin, Charlotte and ... Jung Baeyong, calm personal calm, quiet. I am being informed that the four are really deserving and the contest organization is willing to own 3 boys and 1 Harvard girl"
Charles, after hearing the MC's speech, intervenes with an observation, "Guys, we were organized by Baeyong, choreography and singing, without him we would not be here in the final, nor did we perform so perfect. For me, nothing fairer than handing the award to Baeyong," Jin and Charlotte fully agree and the MC announces something soon.
"The organization aware of your concern then decided that Baeyong will be crowned the Harvard boy, but you also received bands and crowns for kindness and justice with your colleague, a round of applause for the champion and his friends"
The four there, holding hands on the stage with their awards, Baeyong in the middle with their band and crown bigger, still discredited of the twist that their life was giving, happy with everything that was happening and receiving roses from the audience, revered and held hands, that union symbolized the beginning of a fantastic and happy quartet that was emerging soon more at Harvard.
•Chapter 8 - Bad Trip and Frenchwoman
After announcing the victory of friends, they leave for the photo shoots and everything else that the winner should do, was the happiest night of the year for them, especially for the company. Dora comes to congratulate them accompanied by Jin's mother and sisters, all very happy for the achievements followed by hugs and affectionate kisses that embarrassed the winners. After the time off with the affections, the veterans come in search of the champions to direct them to the special party for them, rented a black limousine and very long where the four were alone being escorted by cars in front and behind the vehicle in which they were, honked and held parties, things of young adults. There was a lot of food and punch, no alcohol because they were under twenty-one and Charlotte along with Jin were already running out, they didn't eat anything early and their stomach ached longing for something for their joy, Charles opens the sunroof of the slime and reaches out to the Harvard boy to come and stand with him , in a very cavalheira way, the sky was beautiful that night, full of stars and a magnificent moon, simply to make that perfect day even more. The boys feel the wind touch their hair lightly and feel the breeze of the moonlight over their faces, the space of the sunroof was really large and fit the two there comfortably.
- Bae, let's imitate the scene of Titanic - Charles behind and raising Bae's arms horizontally.
- I AM THE KING OF THE WORLD - Baeyong with his crown greater on his head and cloak on his back as he laughed at Charles who did the same – I am his king today, try to obey me.
- For today I will not mock you no, deserves the title of my king tonight – Charles during bae's drive with his arm putting it over C.'s neck and approaching it to you, enjoying the view on the way to the party - Just can't kill me for shortness of breath, then I won't accept.
Arriving at the party, were ovations by the students present there, much celebration and happiness for the winners, taken to their thrones, took many pictures, received gifts and many pampering of all, Charles at this point of the championship only thought about how he would take and what to do with all those things win and now the whole university knew the fantastic quartet, went from mere students simple to popular Harvard without even having that intention , none of the four liked to be this kind of center of attention, but they were happy for the conquest and living the moment that was so much fun after all, Baeyong thought to himself how long he did not rejoice in this way, how long he did not go to a party and during such reflection begins to play a song that Charles would hardly stand still , as we know and remembering his birthday party, he always loved to dance, and now that he was playing M.J. King of Pop's Thriller, he would never hold back, first invited Bae who refused before finishing the proposal, looked at Jin who hid on his mantle leaving only Charlotte who was already taking off his high heels to go to end up on the dance floor , making Charles laugh and drop one, "Real Friend", and there they went to have even more fun and choreographed Michael Jackson a
s everyone followed them, forming a true tribute to the king in those days near Halloween. Left only Jin and Bae there on the thrones, they look and laugh at the fact that they also do not like to go dancing, seeing that they may have much more in common than they realize, while the duo rock on the dance floor, the two are talking and leaving the disagreements aside.
- Jin, I wanted to apologize to you for that day at work, I had a certain fear, but Charles helped me get rid of it, and look at us now, we won the contest and we're here partying. I don't want to have that feeling and discomfort talking to you anymore, so now I'm redeeming myself, I beg your pardon.
- All right Baeyong, let's leave our sorrows in the past and solidify our fantastic foursome more and more as they are saying.
After clarification and with the beginning of a possible beautiful friendship, more photos and gifts begin to emerge and the two continue to meet their fans of the night, but the bladder of both was no longer holding up and Baeyong decides to go to the bathroom warning the friend of his absence and heads towards the nearest toilet, then arrives some engineering veterans ready to congratulate Jin and say they were right to insist on him participating of the contest, he asks them to find themselves less because due to the beauty and skills OF him, Engineering came out of limbo, decided to stay a while there while Bae did not come back and see what else was happening at the party to have fun with the veterans who escorted him as a deity, making him laugh a lot for it all, take him to a circle only present by people of his course putting him on unknown shoulders and raising him to the alto, minus Charlotte who did not leave the dance floor or anything in this world along with Charles who now ended up to the sound of Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, "Im the Bad guy" and only watched the blonde locks and chocolate-colored sway to the rhythm of the contagious beat. Baeyong on his way to find the bathroom is stopped by a certain group of friends who are intrigued and curious about something
- Harvard boy, come here and talk to us for a while, we are excited to see someone so beautiful and with a divine voice so close to us - exclaimed the unknown
- Thank you - laugh bland Baeyong - Want photo or something? I kind of need to go somewhere now.
- We took it off early before the big line. Our question is about yourself, it seems to me that you know a lot about Korean culture right?
- yes, I lived in Korea until a certain age before I came to the U.S.
- But besides, you know well about KPOP and everything, we're passionate about the genre here and I've been following everything for a long time. Anyway, we're intrigued by why your feature is very familiar, do you do visual cover of some Idol or something?
- No, I'm just a Korean kid, everyone looks alike over there, doesn't I? " said Baeyong blandly and in a hurry.
- But his name, it's the focus, it's very similar to someone I don't remember now.
- If you don't remember, that means you don't, right? Bae had begun to have grips on his heart and feel bad...
*BAEYONG FEELING AT THE MOMENT
JOY/SKY
BAEYONG, >
BAEYONG,
BAEYONG, >
BAEYONG,
BAEYONG, >
BAEYONG,
BAEYONG, >
SADNESS/HELL
***
Jung Baeyong returns to have the same feeling of unhappiness that he felt at Charles' house the night before, his heart was pressing and he decides to withdraw from close range of the Kpopper group - I'm sorry, I have to go now, whoever you are confusing me, know you're wrong – Bae with his hand in her heart trying to contain the pain of sadness that afflicted you at that moment.
His brain brought up memories that he would never want to remember, but that it was impossible to forget, nor could time destroy such. He accelerates the step towards the bathroom and enters through the door that stood in a more isolated area of the great concert hall that was rolling the party for them, stops in front of the mirror and wets his face with water in order to distract himself and unwind from all that feeling, out of heaven to hell in moments, just by his brain make him return to all that scene that he faithfully wants to forget , realizes that there was a bad smell there and when looking in front of the mirror notes three students smelling some kind of dust unknown to him because the same will never use in life, they see him and approach him.
- Look who has come to give us the honor of his illustrious personal visit, the king of the party, the snobbish and rich of the IR course – the boy on strong effects of drugs – Want to join and have fun with us Your Majesty?
- No thanks, you can keep your life in peace, which I'm going to retire – one of the boys rests his arm over his shoulder and asks where he'd go so soon if he just arrived.
- Don't go Little King, stay with us a little longer.
This time the boys held Baeyong and wouldn't let him leave that place, "I'm going to be even happier with this little dose of blue powder that I'm going to give you now king, don't worry, you'll like it," Baeyong tries to move, but the boys hold him stronger and stronger.
- Let me go, you filthy, you don't know who you're messing with.
- Of course we know, with the IR snob. You're going to have to put that aside and have fun with us now, your well-made, make-up queen.
The boy who was already getting on his nerves in Bae approaches with the blue powder with the intention of putting directly in his mouth while the other two held their arms. As he gets closer, Baeyong quickly kicks with all his might the individual's private parts, scaring the others who give the breach by making him get rid of the immobility of his arms and applying taekwondo blows, leaving the three on the floor in that dark, cold party bathroom.
- Never dare to touch a hair of mine again - exclaimed Baeyong angry with desire to come back and give another beating to the "Bad guys" that for him made him feel sorry.
B. leaves that isolated and sad place and leaves for the exit of the place, the party for him had already come to an end, arriving at the door, several veterans find him and asks if he was well, he answers yes and the same again ask then why he is leaving the party, taking him, kind of against the will , back to his throne to enjoy what had been done to him a little longer, stayed there for a long time just watching and attending with a little encouragement to all who ask for a photo with the Harvard Boy and not having more fun after such occurred. His mouth was drier than the Sahara desert itself, I decided to go after a drink, trying to forget everything, when he decides to get up, some girl arrives and delivers him a glass with punch from the party, he thanks him for not having to make effort, gives a mess in the hair of the minor as a form of affection for the favor done and returns to sit , drinks quickly because he was very thirsty. About five minutes after ingesting the liquid, he begins to feel bad little by little, and hears in his ears the same voice he had heard earlier in the bathroom, "This is my revenge for what he did to us in the bathroom, we are even now, rich boy," Bae turns quickly, but his vision begins to distort and become blurry, aggravating with the return of a common and lasting feeling in his life , making his heart want to come out through the mouth of so much sadness that strikes him, memories come back to the surface and hallucinations of them begin to divide with the reality present making him sweat cold, at that moment there was no more so much movement near the thrones and Jin worried about the delay of the friend decides to go looking for him, when he finds him realizes that he was different than normal.
- Baeyong are you all right? It disappeared and took a while to arrive face, I was looking for you and nothing, glad you are here now, I thought I had fled already – approaching and staring at the look without conscience and life of Baeyong who seeing him can say only one thing.
- Charles... - whispered Baeyong.
Baeyong was now sitting on the throne ladder, sweating cold and trembling, his sweat-soaked face mixed with tears, hair getting wet and descending under his tesa. Jin helps him sit on the big chair and says he was coming back with help, Bae at that moment begins to remember
the years before coming to New York, with each new scene that happened in an alternate reality for him, worsening his mental situation in true reality. Tired Charles and Charlotte decide to go find friends who in the middle of the road Jin pulls him telling him to come fast, that Baeyong needed him, now what squeezes is Charles' heart, everyone goes towards the friend to see what was happening, finds him sweating colder than normal before and take him to a room without movement and far from the noise of the party , this time he sees his father in the figure of Charles watching him in such a way as to disapprove him, Bae shouts asking him to stop and get away from him crying, Charles approaches and says he was his best friend there and not his father, "It's Me Bae, Charles, his friend," hugging him softening all his suffering, Bae recognizes him in the midst of a threatening and sad darkness , says his name and comes back hug and cry, "Friend help me, please help me because I can't stand it anymore..." crying more and more. They decided to take him to Charles' car and leave for the penthouse, lying in the back seat, Bae trembled and shook his teeth in fear, smooth with outside making minus seven degrees Celsius, Jin accelerated as much as he could and Charlotte assisted him with the GPS, scored thirty minutes until he got home, the car was silent, all worried and distressed , Bae in it and only feeling protected in Charles's lap who caressed him and cleaned his sweat with his robe, during the journey with the presence of C. out softening, but not coming to an end due to the effect of the drug being lasting. They went up with him to the penthouse and put him in Charles' big, spacious bed, it was already late and C. tells his friends that he would take care of Baeyong now and offered them his house to spend the night, but what they really wanted were their own beds, so they walk to the door, say goodbye and Jin comes back with Charlotte on his bike offering him a ride. , then going to your dorm. When C. goes back to his Room, comes across Bae sitting on his bed, hugging his knees, shaking and sweating, his situation only worsened further, in Baeyong's unconscious, there was running and noise that he could not identify, but that disturbed him and made him want to get away from it all, screamed and cried , "LEAVE ME ALONE, I BEG, JUST FOR A FEW MOMENTS, LEAVE ME ALONE,"