( ⭐️ )

❛ don't try to break the rules.
there will be consequences. ❜

—

lee jeno anxiously ran a hand through his messy black hair. he exhaled sharply, making it clear that he was irritated.

the cold night air surrounded him as he walked down the pretty streets of seoul, making his way back to his dorm.

it was only 7 pm, but the sun had already set, and street lights already shone brightly, illuminating the sidewalks. the quiet aura of the night brought jeno a soothing sensation.

there was always something about nightfall that intrigued him.

since jeno was young, his favourite time of day had always been midnight — the time after the sun had completely set, and all that was left were the stars in the sky and the serene night silence.

but unfortunately, that seemed to be out of the picture now, as jeno had an 8 pm curfew.

arriving at his dorm apartment, he quickly got in to the elevator and pressed the button to his floor, impatiently tapping his foot while waiting.

he was usually the type who never got angry or impatient, and always kept himself composed together at a certain standard, but today really crossed the line for him.

walking into his dorm, he immediately went to the bathroom and turned on the shower, hoping that it would be able to wash away all the frustration inside of him.

the hot shower water hit his back immediately, relieving the tension in his muscles.

thoughts began to spin in his head as he recalled what had just happened earlier this afternoon.

( ⭐️ )

"jeno, here is a new set of guild lines you must follow, starting today." one of his managers said, handing him a sheet of paper with a long list on it.

"okay."

"we notice you've all been lacking in your practicing, as your performances haven't been getting nearly as much recognition as they used to," another manager said before pausing. "before you had the most viewed fancams out of all of nct dream... but now, you've dropped to the least."

jeno furrowed his brow. "i've been practicing daily... and we haven't been given a comeback opportunity since april 2020? so that technically isn't my fault?"

"we don't agree."

"but—"

"you also need to get back on a diet, as you aren't looking as... how do i say this... as an idol should."

"what's wrong with—"

"no dairy, sugar, or junk food. we're taking away all of it. even the ramen that is hidden in your dorm-mate, jisung's closet. yes," his manager nodded at jeno's surprise, "we know about that."

"but what about—"

"you also need to do better in interviews as well. fans are starting to notice that sometimes you don't like to participate and speak up. they're right when they say you don't have a sense of humor."

"i'm sorry, what does that have to do with anything?" jeno asked, a hint of hurt evident in his voice.

"no use of cell phones for the next few weeks either, so you can focus of practicing." his manager continued, ignoring his question.

"what? but what if i need to call my parents? or send someone a text?" jeno said, desperately confused.

"you'll figure it out."

"but—"

"oh, and jeno?"

"yes..?"

"your new curfew is 8pm."

"what?! why?"

"you heard me right. your popularity has been declining rapidly, and its something wrong that needs to be fixed. as your management, we have decided that it's because you've been staying out way too late and... doing things that idols shouldn't be doing." his manager paused, looking up at the clock on the wall, "instead, you should be practicing or interacting with your fans on your social media accounts — for example, you should open an instagram account."

"that's only because we haven't been given anything to do. why else would i stay out late—"

"someone will check in with you daily to see if you've kept up with the guild lines correctly."

"but that doesn't—"

"stop with the 'but's jeno." a sense of seriousness filled the air as the manager continued.

"just don't try to break the rules, there will be consequences."

( ⭐️ )

jeno turned off the shower, realizing he had been in it for over an hour, just thinking about the situation he had been placed in.

the guide lines that had been set were unreasonable and it rubbed him in the wrong way.

grabbing a towel from the rack, jeno wrapped it around his waist and looked at his reflection in the mirror just above the bathroom sink.

he wondered if there really was something wrong with him.

sighing, jeno shook his head and walked to his room. grabbing a grey hoodie and a pair of black sweatpants, he slipped them on and went back to the bathroom. he quickly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and put his dirty laundry in the basket before returning to his room.

immediately falling down onto his bed, jeno curled up into his covers, silently trying to hold back the mixed emotions that weighed down in his heart.

he never let anyone see this side of him— the vulnerable side.

they didn't need to see it. he didn't want them to see it. his bandmates, and especially not the fans.

it was only 9pm, and none of the other members were back at the dorm yet. still, jeno felt like he couldn't do anything else this day even if he tried.

the other members were probably still out doing whatever they wanted to — and he wished he was with them — but it was already past his new curfew.

he wondered why he had been singled out from the group, and why he had to go through it all alone.

he wished he had someone he could talk to.

someone who would understand.

laying on his bed in utter silence, jeno had nothing to accompany him but his own thoughts — specifically negative ones.

he twisted and turned, desperately wanting to fall asleep, but unable to clear his mind. without realizing it, a single tear had slowly fallen down his face, as he tried.

he wondered if he'd ever be good enough.

if he'd ever reach that ideal idol standard.

after what seemed like hours of twisting and turning, filled with endless thoughts, jeno finally drifted off into a sleep.

by that time, it was already after midnight.

( ⭐️ )

a/n !

hi hello welcome to this book !! new jeno book as it's impossible to keep a bias as an nctzen :')

i'm so excited to write this book as it is one that i have been planning for since january 2021. i'm so glad to be able to work on this book as a collaboration with my good friend adi. i brought up the idea for us to collab around two months ago and she agreed to come together to create something fun for everyone to enjoy !

while i am a writer, adi is an oc/added member creator — which means together we came up with ideas and made an oc, while i wrote up a plot for this oc of ours ! also everyone say thank you to adi for the pretty character graphics in intro chapter <3

please check out the oc book on her account titled "bubble pop" to meet the main character of this book.

happy reading !