Rivals

° Chapter Sixteen ° Yoongi POV

"How did it go?" I ask with urgency. The look on her face has changed which concerns me.

"I don't think I can do this..." She sighs.

"What?? We've been practicing for weeks.."

"No, not the show. I'm fine to play...I mean...I don't want to mess with him anymore." Her eyes look at the two men across the courtyard setting up their equipment.

I'm shocked. "What happened?"

"What if he's not my rival?" She looks at me seriously. "What if he just wants to play music?"

"But he is." I remind her. "He's the reason we're here."

"He didn't choose this. He chose music with a good band. He didn't know what he was getting into.."

"Y/N...are you letting him get to you?"

She shakes her head. "No. I can still play."

I huff out in frustration. "Where's that fire I saw in you last night?" My hands grab hers and I try to get through to her. "You are amazing. You can wipe the stage with anyone here. If you hold back tonight they will see that. Don't let them have any reason to think that your old band made the right choice letting you go."

Her brows scrunch at me. I know what I said registered even if it's something she didn't want to hear.

She pulls her hands away and heads to the restroom to regroup. I know she's giving herself the pep talk she needs.

I need her focused tonight.

"It's Yoongi right?" I turn around to the voice and see a taller male approach me. He's from the other band. I nod.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Namjoon."

"Hey.." I say still confused.

"Y/N is close to me. She's like a sister. I know she's capable of a lot but don't push her into using people just to win some kind of award." His voice is protective.

I appreciate that.

"I wouldn't hurt her." I say truthfully. "I didn't like that your guitarist stole her work. That was low."

"I agree." He nods. "Look, I came over to extend an olive branch. Like I said, Y/N is close to me, which means I have insight on how to get through to her."

"...okay?" I cross my arms over my chest. Who does this guy think he is?

He hands me a cassette player and headphones. I blink at him. "what's this?"

"Her favorite song. She used to repeat it before big shows. It centers her."

"Thanks.." I stare amazed.

"I'm not doing it for you." He corrects. "If she doesn't play well tonight they'll eat her alive." He gestures to the crowds of people in the venue already. "We aren't taking it easy on you. She's gotta be all there. Your first power move fell through. Rethink your strategy."

"Sheesh." I laugh. "You're doing too much at this point man. If I knew you better I'd say you were in love with her."

His face remains expressionless. "I don't want her to fail."

"I don't either."

He raises a brow at me. "Then why did you send her out there dressed like that?"

"Whoa...okay now you're crossing a line. Are you insinuating that we are setting her up??"

My chest heaves at that. How dare he make such an accusation. I hear the bathroom door open and Y/N walk over. She looks at us both. "What's all this?"

"I brought you the song." Namjoon says still looking me dead in the eye. I don't back down and stare him back.

"Oh." She says taking it from my hand. "Thanks."

"See you later." He blinks once to smile at her. "You'll do great."

She takes a step in front of me, making my shoulders drop and the tension fade. "What?" I ask.

"Are you okay? You seem worked up."

"Yeah..." I clear my throat. "Was that guy...did you ever?..."

"Namjoon?" She snorts. "No, he's like my brother. Why?"

I glance over to where I saw him last but he had already left. "I just get that vibe from him."

"What vibe?"

"I don't know." I ponder. "I can't pinpoint it."