Story
Chapter 29 – Battle of the DJs
Friday night.
The biggest student DJ competition of the year.
The prize?
A trophy.
Bragging rights.
And a chance to perform at the city’s annual youth music festival.
⸻
The competition was being held at one of the city’s biggest music clubs.
Since it was a school-sponsored event for student performers, there were teachers, security, and families in attendance. The dance floor was packed, the lights flashed across the room, and a huge stage stood at the center with an impressive DJ booth.
The atmosphere was electric.
⸻
Jennie stepped backstage.
Her blonde hair was styled in loose waves with a few silver clips catching the lights. She wore a black cropped leather jacket over a silver top, baggy black cargo pants, fingerless gloves, and black combat boots.
She looked calm.
At least on the outside.
⸻
Felix found her adjusting her headphones.
His black hair was neatly styled, and he wore a black varsity jacket over a fitted black T-shirt, dark athletic pants, and white sneakers.
“Nervous?”
Jennie didn’t even look up.
“No.”
“Liar.”
“I’m professionally nervous.”
Felix laughed.
“I’ll allow that.”
⸻
Han suddenly burst through the backstage curtain.
His messy brown hair looked even messier than usual. He wore a green hoodie under a denim jacket with black jeans.
“I HAVE NEWS!”
Jennie sighed.
“Is it good news?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t want it.”
⸻
Lisa walked in behind him.
Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was perfectly curled. She wore a black jacket, silver cargo pants, and platform boots.
“The audience is huge.”
Rosé smiled.
Her lavender hair shimmered under the stage lights. She wore a lavender jacket, ripped jeans, and white boots.
“They’re already cheering.”
⸻
Jisoo adjusted Jennie’s jacket.
Her red hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, and she wore a cream blazer, black pants, and ankle boots.
“You’ve practiced for this.”
“You’ve got it.”
⸻
Hyunjin looked around dramatically.
His blond hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black designer-style jacket with layered necklaces.
“The energy…”
Han interrupted.
“Can you stop narrating life for five minutes?”
⸻
An announcer stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen…”
“Welcome to the Battle of the DJs!”
The crowd erupted.
Music blasted through the speakers.
Lights swept across the room.
⸻
Contestants took turns performing.
Each one had ten minutes.
Each one received huge cheers.
Jennie watched quietly.
Felix stood beside her.
“You ready?”
She nodded once.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
⸻
“And now…”
“Our final contestant…”
“JENNIE!”
The entire club cheered.
⸻
Jennie walked onto the stage.
The lights dimmed.
She placed her headphones on.
Closed her eyes.
Pressed play.
⸻
The first beat hit.
The crowd exploded.
Jennie mixed songs effortlessly, building the energy with every transition.
The dance floor filled in seconds.
Even the judges leaned forward.
⸻
Backstage…
Han’s mouth dropped open.
“Okay…”
“I knew she was good.”
“I didn’t know she was THAT good.”
Lisa smiled proudly.
“Told you.”
⸻
Felix couldn’t stop smiling.
He folded his arms.
“She’s incredible.”
Rosé looked at him.
“You’ve got the biggest smile in the room.”
Felix immediately looked away.
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
⸻
Jennie’s final transition hit.
The lights flashed.
The crowd clapped in rhythm.
By the end of her set…
The entire club was cheering her name.
“JENNIE!”
“JENNIE!”
“JENNIE!”
⸻
She walked backstage, trying to stay cool.
“So…”
Han ran over.
“So?!”
“You nearly blew the roof off this place!”
Jennie laughed.
“Relax.”
“I will not relax!”
⸻
Felix walked up.
“You were amazing.”
Jennie smiled.
“You’ve said that before.”
“I’ll probably say it again.”
She nudged his shoulder.
“Careful.”
“Why?”
“You keep giving me compliments.”
He grinned.
“I’m just telling the truth.”
⸻
The announcer returned to the stage.
“The judges have made their decision.”
The room became silent.
“In third place…”
Cheers echoed.
“In second place…”
More applause.
Jennie squeezed her hands together.
Felix noticed.
Without saying anything…
He gently gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
She looked at him.
He simply smiled.
⸻
“And this year’s Battle of the DJs champion is…”
A dramatic pause.
“…JENNIE!”
The entire club erupted.
Han jumped so high he nearly knocked over a chair.
Lisa screamed.
Rosé hugged Jisoo.
Hyunjin dramatically fell to one knee.
“I KNEW IT!”
⸻
Jennie stood frozen.
“Me?”
The announcer laughed.
“Yes, you.”
Felix gently nudged her.
“Go.”
“You won.”
⸻
Jennie walked onto the stage.
The trophy was placed in her hands.
She looked out at the cheering crowd.
Then down at her friends.
Then at Felix.
He gave her a thumbs-up.
She smiled.
A real one.
The biggest smile anyone had seen from her.
⸻
Han yelled from the front row,
“Speech!”
Jennie picked up the microphone.
“I only have one thing to say…”
The crowd waited.
She looked directly at Han.
“…You’re still annoying.”
The whole club burst into laughter.
Han placed a hand over his heart.
“I’ve never been so honored.”
Felix laughed harder than anyone else.
And somehow…
Winning the competition felt amazing.
But celebrating it with the people who had become her family…
Made it even better.
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