My Secret Love of Pop Music

I know my friends think I’m this cool indie music aficionado who only listens to underground bands and vinyl records. But the truth is, I’ve been sneaking in pop songs by artists like Ariana Grande and BTS whenever no one’s around. It all started when a friend was playing their latest K-pop album during lunch break, and I got sucked in by how catchy it was. I began staying up late to stream those songs under my blankets with earphones on. But here's the thing: every time I start to enjoy something new, like this pop music, I feel guilty because I think my taste should be more refined or intellectual. Yet when I listen to these tunes, I just feel happy and free from all that pressure. Why do I have to fit into some preconceived idea of what a high schooler 'should' like? It's making me realize how silly those expectations are.