Words could not describe the show that Stray Kids put on. Only the first half of the show had been completed but Naty did not know what more they could do! From the choreography to the live vocals! Every second was on point. Naty was amazed to see Chan—Chan that had been in her hotel room that morning—so alive and dynamic on stage. He was less of a man that she had met at the airport and more of a living legend oozing star power out of every pore.

The stage emptied for a moment for a set change but the crowd was still electric with want of the eight men. Naty looked around the seats briefly and saw it dwindling in numbers once again. Though many people came to watch the show, she was thankful that the box she was in never filled up to the point that she had individuals sitting around her. She saw many Idols come to watch the show in the same area as her but nothing took her eyes away from the stage. Naty wondered how she could be in the same space as Chaeryeong and Ryujin of ITZY and not freak out but she supposed her freak out was saved for SKZ.

"Another can, Ma'am?" the waiter came, already with a fresh can of Coke ready for her.

Naty blushed, "Please don't tell anyone how much I've had of these."

The waiter chuckled, "It's our little secret."

She took the can and stood to lean against the wall that separated her from everyone else in the arena. Though normally she would never have more than one can of Coke in one sitting…Naty found herself buzzing on the three she had downed during the first leg of the show. She couldn't help it! She was addicted to Coca Cola but she didn't judge herself too hard. She figured she would get it out of her system and the next two shows would all be enjoyed by water.

Oh, water! How did she not think to order that as well?

Naty looked around for the waiter again but froze immediately in her spot.

Jeon Jungkook.

THE Jeon Jungkook was walking down the box stairs to the front row with her.

Naty immediately turned back toward the stage to hide the tears coming to her eyes and the silent scream she had to let out. How was that possible? How was it possible that JEON JUNGKOOK WAS IN THE SAME PLACE AS HER?

No.

No, Naty needed to take a deep breath and center herself. She was there to see Chan and he was there to see Stray Kids. He was not there in the capacity of BTS. He was there in the capacity of a guy watching his friend perform an amazing show. She was also there in the capacity of watching her friend perform an amazing show. Naty wasn't worried about herself slipping information, posting pictures, or creating a scandal that would ruin Chan's imagine. The only thing she did worry about is accidently fan-girling over BTS and giving Chan the ick.

Though Naty was hyper aware that Jeon Jungkook was only four feet away from her…Naty took in a deep breath and focused on the stage.

It proved to be the right thing to do because just as she did Chan appeared. His clothes looked more casual than the stunning outfits they had earlier. Han and Changbin joined him and she imagined this was part of fan interactions that gave the members time to relax and catch their breath. They immediately began addressing the crowd and talking but as more members came out Chan moved to the side of the stage closest to the box. Naty didn't know if he could see her but she gave a little wave with her lightstick.

Chan's eyes immediately latched onto her and the smile that came to his face was so radiant she felt her insides melt as if looking into the core of the Earth. He waved and she waved back again. Naty felt a part of herself concerned that he was waving at someone else but, when she looked around, she saw the others were staring at her with clear understanding of who Chan was waving at. Naty blushed but looked back to her friend on stage with a shy happiness she thought Tara or Ashley had erased.

Bang Chan made a motion with his mouth as if he were drinking something that Naty couldn't understand. Was he asking if she were drinking alcohol? She shook her head and showed the can of Coke she drank. There was no way she would get wasted at his show! Not with Jeon Jungkook—walking closer to her!

"Are you two dating?"

The words came out of his mouth in English and with so much politeness that Naty thought she would burst into tears in the moment. Naty blushed as she looked down to Chan who was speaking to someone off stage, "No, we're just friends."

"Are you sure?" the friend with Jungkook chuckled.

Naty looked down with a smile she could not control and an answer she didn't know how to give. Were they dating? Well…no. Currently they were being forced to not see each other with the fear of what that kind of information would do to Chan's reputation. But was she open to dating? How could anyone not be interested in dating the guy on stage smiling up at her!

The two laughed at Naty's lack of response and instead looked down at Chan and began waving obnoxiously at him. Chan waved obnoxiously back and some other members followed him as they realized who it was that had come to see them. They showcased some more friendly motions before Chan and the rest of the Stray Kids went back to center stage to perform a song together. This left Naty alone with Jeon Jungkook and his mystery friend. Naty hoped they would walk back to where they had been but they stayed right beside her—well half a foot away but still very close!

Jungkook's friend looked to Naty to ask, "Are you here weekend?"

It sounded as though he wasn't confident in his English and Naty took a risk of answering in Korean, "I am here all weekend. I came just to see the shows. Will you both be enjoying the rest of the performances?"

The two looked to each other with great surprise before excitedly answering back in Korean themselves. It turned out that they were only stopping by for a short amount of time. Jungkook was there for work but couldn't help himself from dropping in. Sungwon—Jungkook's friend—was also there for work and thought he'd tag along to the show. They also spoke about how impressive her Korean was and she explained how long she had been practicing and how she would be visiting South Korea in six months. Conversation seemed to flow naturally between the three despite Naty squeezing her can of Coke to stop herself from screaming. S

"We have to head out so we can make it for a party with some friends. Do you want to join us?" Sungwon asked with curiosity.

Naty froze a moment. Hang out with Jungkook? Hangout with a member of BTS that she was obsessed with? That was the option presented for her? Hangout with Jeon Jungkook or sit in a hotel room with no chance of seeing Bang Chan and if so with the risk of being called a saesang? Though she didn't feel any sexual or romantic obsession with Jeon Jungkook…she did feel in awe and a sense of duty. She wanted to thank him because without him, without BTS, she wouldn't even be in the position she was in to make such a complicated decision!

"Excuse me, ma'am, courtesy of the gentleman on stage," the waiter offered her a bottle of water.

"Thank you," her mouth nearly fell open as she took the water. It was from Chan? It had to be from Chan! She recalled her dinner with him at the airport. Did he really remember that she preferred to have water with her Cola? Did he really make the connection that she would be too excited to remember getting water and so he made sure she got some? While he was performing on stage!

"And you two aren't dating?" Sungwon questioned with a smirk.

Naty felt her face go hot as she looked to the cold water and then to the two men before her—one of which was the amazing golden maknae of BTS—as she shook her head, "I'm going to keep watching the show but I hope you two have a lovely evening."

The smiled to each other and then to her with a polite goodbye. Naty leaning against the wall as she looked to the water and then to the man singing on stage. Yes, buying her plane ticket was incredible. Yes, buying her hotel room was incredible. Yes, giving her free tickets to see three-days-worth of Stray Kids was incredible. But Naty felt something inside of her heart go to a place of transcendence at the sight of the bottle in her hand and the knowing it was from Bang Chan. Bang Chan who was performing on stage.

When the song ended she was still in her daze but saw that he was giving nervous glances in her direction. She smiled to him and waved with the water to show her appreciation. He seemed to relax at that and she couldn't help but melt at him who seemed to be melting at her. Were they dating? Was it just her imagination? Was he just being nice?

He had called them friends that morning!

Naty didn't know! She didn't know if the guy that was universally known for being so nice and sweet was into her. She didn't know if he was just being polite and hospitable to her. She didn't know if he even thought she was pretty! All she knew was that he liked her dress and didn't forget her or the water!

All she knew was that she was hundreds of feet from him and all she wanted was to run into his arms again. There was never a chance she would leave the show with Jungkook. It was her ARMY heart and mind she needed to give credence to before coming back home. Home was in the man on stage being teased by his members. No, home was in the opportunity presented to get to know the man on stage being teased by his members. She wasn't going to give that up. Not at all.

It was sometime after Jungkook and Sungwon left that Hina arrived. The two spoke about the show and sang music together while attempting the choreography—Hina was much better at it. Naty made sure to not ask any personal questions of Hina that may have made her or Sana uncomfortable.

"Oh, it's time for me to go," Hina frowned, looking at her phone screen after four songs.

"Well, I've had a wonderful time with you Hina. Will you come to the next shows?" Naty asked.

The girl shook her head, "No. But I was wondering if I could have your KakaoTalk?"

The immediate desire was to say yes but Naty knew she needed to be careful. Not only was Hina the cousin of a famous Idol…she was also only thirteen! Naty couldn't imagine the girl's family would be okay with someone so much older talking to her privately.

"I'm sorry but I don't think your family would like me doing that. BUT!" Naty could see the hope returning to the girl's face, "I would like to follow you on Instagram."

"Really! Can I talk to you there?" Hina grinned.

Naty nodded her head as she handed over her phone to allow the girl to put in her username, "Sure you can."

Hina handed the phone back to Naty then nearly tackled her with a big hug, "You are so much cooler in real life!"

"Thank you!" Naty laughed.

The two exchanged goodbyes one more time and then Hina was gone.

Naty returned her gaze to the eight men on stage. It was odd to her that though she had not met seven of the Stray Kids she still felt a bond with them. Even a bond with Sana and Jungkook! It was the bond of being cared for by Bang Chan. It was the bond of being recognized and noticed by someone so loving and caring with a capacity to remember the little things. Naty looked to the water bottle in her hand. There was nothing like being cared for by him.