<OST: Sleepless Night - Crush ft. Punch>
"That's not what she did, hyung!" Jungkook got up from his bed later that night, after having Seokjin try for two whole hours to get him asleep. "She asked me to imagine someone comforting next to me, then proceeded to pat me on the back while singing me to sleep. It's simple, why can't you do that?"
"That's exactly what I did!" Seokjin insisted as he got to his feet. "I asked you to imagine that, then I patted you on the back. It's your own fault you can't fall asleep!"
Jungkook glared at Seokjin. "Hyung!"
"Okay, okay, fine-" Seokjin sat back down for the fifteenth time that night. "Close your eyes, I'm gonna try one last time."
Jungkook did as he was told.
"Jungkook-ah?" Seokjin said softly with a hand on Jungkook's back. "Imagine... Imagine the one person in your life who brings you the most comfort. Have you thought of someone?"
"Mm."
"Okay..." Seokjin patted Jungkook on the back as he began singing. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are~ Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky~ Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are~"
Jungkook was motionless.
"Jungkook-ah?" Seokjin whispered as he leaned over, checking on Jungkook. "Are you asleep...?"
No reply.
"Oh-" Seokjin let out a dramatic gasp. "I did it, I made him fall asleep-"
"I'm awake, hyung-" Jungkook groaned as he sat up on his bed once more, looking more and more haggard as time passed. "It didn't work."
Seokjin's face fell as he slumped to the ground.
"You should go home, hyung," Jungkook said disappointedly. "It's not gonna work out. It probably was just a one-off thing or something. Because I have been too exhausted over the last few days, I managed to sleep. It doesn't matter, I'm used to having countless sleepless nights, one night won't make any difference."
"Sorry, Jungkook-ah... I really tried." Seokjin sobbed a little. "I was getting so excited earlier, thinking that your problem was finally going away. I just feel so... desperate and helpless right now."
"It's okay, hyung, don't blame yourself-" Jungkook reached out and patted Seokjin on the shoulder gently. "I'll figure it out. I have the M Countdown stage tomorrow in the early afternoon - you should go back and get some rest."
"Should I just stay for the night?" Seokjin frowned. "I know how lonely it must feel when you're up all night all alone, we can have some beer and talk a little together-"
"Go home, hyung. I'm fine."
"Don't be shy, we've known each other for so long-"
"I wanna be alone, hyung," Jungkook finally admitted. "I'm frustrated too - I need some time alone to think."
"Ah-" Seokjin nodded slowly as he picked up his bag and headed towards the door. "I get it now. I'll leave first then, Jungkook-ah. Call me if you need anything."
"Goodnight, hyung."
Jungkook lay in bed, completely still, until he heard the clicking sound from the closing of his main door. He got up from his bed and turned on the lights, before sitting down on his bed once more, mentally and physically exhausted as he recalled his conversation with Jieun earlier in the day.
'I suspected that you might have anxiety, Jungkook-ssi-" Jieun had told him after his impactful stage. "I suspected it from the time I spotted the sleeping pills in your bag, and my suspicions rose when Seokjin-oppa confirmed that you didn't sleep well."
"But anxiety?" Jungkook shook his head. "I went to see doctors for my problem - they never told me I had anxiety."
"My dad is a sleep therapist," Jieun repeated. "The general physicians you have been seeking treatment from probably were not able to identify it."
Jungkook frowned. "But anxiety... I... really have anxiety?"
"You can't sleep at night because you keep thinking about all kinds of things, don't you?"
Jungkook nodded. "But that's common, isn't it?"
"It's common, that's true-" Jieun admitted. "But if impairs you on a daily basis, it's rather serious. I suspect that it's anxiety, but it could very well be something else. Maybe you could visit a psychiatrist or something to get checked up on that."
Jungkook looked disturbed.
"You don't have to worry too much about it," Jieun said with a comforting smile. "Even if you do have anxiety, it's rather common amongst celebrities. You'll be okay, I can help you."
Jungkook tossed and turned in his bed.
And thanks to Jieun, earlier today, for the first time in what seemed like forever, Jungkook stood on the stage filled with energy. Even though it was slightly less than an hour, it really charged him up and gave him the energy boost to push himself to his limits onstage.
And he had really, really missed that feeling.
What calmed him down was her sweet voice, her gentle touch that felt like the hands of his mom patting him to sleep - something Jungkook never had the luxury of experiencing... With the sweet lullaby ringing in his ears and the warm presence next to him, Jungkook had let go of all his stress in the present... and he had fallen asleep in the empty waiting room.
But he couldn't replicate it. Maybe... it was a coincidence after all. His hopes and dreams of performing with so much energy and power on stage once more was instantly dashed.
Jungkook pulled the sheets over his head and wept.
-•-•-
You have received a Direct Message.
Byulyi opened her inbox and smiled when she spotted the familiar username at the top of her screen.
- - -
kayesjay1992
Hi, Author-nim! I was at a friends' house today,
trying to help him get some sleep. Ended up
binge-reading a good portion of The Transfer Student. I must say, the plot is still cliché to
me, but you do seem to write cliché plots well.
I couldn't stop once I started, unlike how I usually
am with other cliché storylines. I actually think
I'm starting to understand why your readers are
so obsessed with your books and protective of you.
- - -
Byulyi grinned as she replied his message immediately.
- - -
moonstarsandsun
hi kayesjay-nim, it's nice to hear from you again.
i'm so, so glad you've been enjoying it so far...
kayesjay1992
By the way, whenever i say "cliché", I don't mean
it in a negative way - I just mean like... a more
generic plot, you know what I mean?
moonstarsandsun
i guessed so, i guess i'm the type who's more sensitive to words... as a writer, it's common
kayesjay1992
Oh? That's interesting, I'm exactly the same.
I'm rather sensitive to words as well.
moonstarsandsun
i've seen your old profile, but you didn't have
any published works... do you write as well?
kayesjay1992
I actually majored in Journalism... so I love
writing and reading. But I didn't become a
writeror journalist in the end, so I've been online
reading other people's works. I've always wanted
to write my own book, but I never had the chance
to because of how busy I am with my job.
moonstarsandusn
wow, your job sure sounds busy. but i have
a close friend who's a reporter, her job's not
easy either. i hope you found something that
suits you better, while still being able to
enjoy reading in your free time.
kayesjay1992
I do enjoy my job, not going to lie. It involves a
lot of interaction and cleaning up after others
but it's fulfilling in a way, I guess. You're right, being able to read online novels on-the-go really does take away some of the stress I have from
my otherwise demanding and stressful life.
moonstarsandsun
i'm glad that i can be a part of that. looking
forward to your next review, kayesjay-nim!
kayesjay1992
Goodnight!
moonstarsandsun
goodnight! 😴
- - -
"Sleeping time~" Byulyi closed her computer, stretched her arms a little and turned to Jieun with a smile. "Jieun-ah!"
Jieun sat on the couch, staring into her phone, not responding to Byulyi at all.
"Jieun-ah?" Byulyi took a seat next to her and peered into her phone. "Why do you look so engrossed? What are you watching?"
"Oh, unnie-" Jieun finally realised that Byulyi was seated next to her. "Ah, it's nothing."
"How is this nothing?" Byulyi snatched the phone from here and peered into it. "JK? What are you doing watching his videos at night?"
"This was his performance from today, unnie-" Jieun said with a small frown. "Does he look a little different to you?"
"How would I know? It's not like I watch his videos on a daily basis or anything..." Byulyi furrowed her eyebrows as she scrutinised the video of Jungkook on stage. "He has nice makeup... and based on what i saw of him that day, how should I put it... he looks much more energetic here...?"
"Even you noticed it-" Jieun inhaled sharply as she took the phone from Byulyi and scrutinised him once more. "It must be quite obvious, huh."
Byulyi watched Jieun quietly. "Did something happen...?"
"He has been having trouble sleeping..." Jieun said with a small frown on her face. "Today, I helped him get a little sleep before his performance and I noticed how much energy he had on stage. When I was watching him backstage, I almost teared up."
"Why? Because you were happy for him?"
"Mm-" Jieun nodded. "It was a short power nap, but it really did the trick. Because he looked so robust, unlike how he usually looked, I could feel how happy he was and it infected me a little, I guess."
"How did you help him?" Byulyi asked Jieun. "You consulted your dad?"
"I texted him a bit, but did my own research as well-" Jieun shrugged. "Was surprised that it worked to be honest. But I'm glad, I'm so glad it turned out well. I hope he'll be able to perform like that from now on - the reaction from his fans is crazy."
Byulyi watched Jieun quietly, biting her lower lip and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Jieun-ah, can I ask you something?"
Jieun looked up from her phone. "Hm?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"Huh?" Jieun laughed. "What do you mean?"
"Why are you doing all this for him, Jieun-ah?" Byulyi asked with a serious look on her face. "To earn his trust or...?"
The smile on Jieun's face faded away slowly. "What do you mean?"
"I know I always joke about you and him becoming a couple, Jieun-ah-" Byulyi grabbed Jieun's hand and squeezed it tightly. "You know you and him can never be a thing, don't you?"
Jieun laughed absurdly. "What are you talking about, unnie!"
"I'm being serious right now, Lee Jieun-" Byulyi warned Jieun. "I'm trying to tell you this before it's too late. A reporter and a celebrity? That's a recipe for disaster. Even if he's able to accept you lying to him, society will not view you kindly. You need to put a stop to this before it blows out of control."
"Wait, wait, wait, unnie-" Jieun held up her hands, absolutely confused. "What are you even saying right now, unnie! Me and him...? He literally has a girlfriend, what are you saying-"
"Not like she's his wife or something-" Byulyi looked into Jieun's eyes. "Trust me, I'm a writer - I know better than anyone that in life, anything can happen. I see the warning signs, and it's my duty as your best friend to stop you before it's too late. You understand?"
"What warning signs?" Jieun scoffed. "You're being overly dramatic, unnie. I can promise you that nothing will ever happen between me and him."
"It better stay that way," Byulyi said quietly. "But first, ask yourself - why did you want to help him? Were you helping him to help yourself or are there any other underlying reasons?"
Jieun bit her lower lip, not able to answer Byulyi immediately.
"I'm going to sleep first," Byulyi said as she got to her feet and patted Jieun's shoulder. "Think hard about it, Lee Jieun."
As Byulyi went into the room, Jieun lay on the sofa, reflecting about her day. Byulyi was right - why exactly did she do so much for him? Why did she do all that research about sleep before coming to work that day, why did she even contact her dad whom she wasn't on the best terms with, why was she smiling with tears in her eyes as she watched him perform backstage? Was this all because she knew she was one step closer to earning his trust and getting him to put down his walls around her? Was that it?
In that moment, Jieun suddenly realised why she had done all that for him. She did all that because had wanted to help him, and she had wanted to help him because... she simply did. She truly wanted to see him get better, she wanted to see him shine on stage.
And she did all that for him, from the bottom of her heart.
-•-•-
Jennie was a night owl.
If Jungkook was the type who couldn't sleep till late, Jennie was the type who intentionally liked sleeping late. She enjoyed the night - it was peaceful and quiet, and no one was around to judge her in any way or form.
Jennie wandered around the apartment building aimlessly in her pink silk pyjamas. She eventually found herself on the 10th floor once more, and wondered what Yoongi was doing. She peeked into his doorhole but just as expected there was no movement. Jennie sighed as she manouvred her body around, trying to get a closer look-
Click!
"What are you doing?"
Jennie almost fell to the ground, taken aback by the sudden gruff voice that came from next to her.
"I swear I'm not a peeping tom!" Jennie hurriedly covered her face as she turned towards the lift, away from the sound. "I was just trying to-"
"Jennie Kim-ssi, what are you doing?"
Jennie turned and opened one eye carefully.
Jungkook stood before her with his arms folded across his chest. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, it's you-" Jennie's entire body relaxed as she heaved a sigh of relief. "Goodness, I thought it was another one of your neighbours or something."
"Not like my entire floor doesn't already know you as my screaming girlfriend," Jungkook said nonchalantly as he closed his door and leaned against it with his arms still folded. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
"Ah-" Jennie glanced furtively at Yoongi's door. "Um- well! Taking a walk! Yes, I was just coming out to take a breather."
"You live on the 8th floor, Jennie-ssi." Jungkook narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing on the 10th floor? And on top of that, trying to peek into someone's house-"
"Shh!" Jennie yelled as she grabbed Jungkook by the arm and dragged him towards the lift lobby, away from where the units were. "Not so loud! Do you want to wake everyone up or what?"
"Looks like someone has a guilty conscience-" Jungkook smirked, actually happy to find out that someone else was awake at this hour. "What were you trying to do to my neighbour, Jennie Kim-ssi?"
Jennie stole a furtive glance at Yoongi's door once more, before leaning in towards Jungkook. "Do you... Do you know the guy living next to you?"
"Ah... the guy who moved in recently?" Jungkook shook his head. "No, I don't know him well - only that he barely comes out of his house. I've only seen him once or twice since he moved in a month ago, but he always has his face covered."
"Right?" Jennie gasped. "Wow, I'm so curious right now. I wonder what he does..."
"Why are you so curious about him?" Jungkook raised his eyebrows. "I've never seen you this curious about me."
"You?" Jennie scoffed. "Please."
"Why? Is he handsome or something?"
Jennie grinned. "Kind of? He has nice eyes. But instead of handsome, I would say... cool? And intriguing?"
"Oh? You've actually seen him?"
"Well-" Jennie's eyes widened, not wanting to reveal that she practically forced her way into Yoongi's house earlier on in the day. "Happened to get a glimpse here and there, that's all."
"Ah, I see."
"You seem a little chirpy today though?" Jennie raised her eyebrows as she scanned Jungkook from head to toe. "At least... a little more human."
Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows. "Excuse you?"
"Something good must have happened, huh."
"It's nothing much," Jungkook said vaguely. "It's just that the Lee Jieun hasn't been getting on my nerves so much lately, so I'm not so moody, I guess?"
"No, no, no-" Jennie shook her head firmly. "Before you met her, you were already moody. You seem a little brighter these days, especially today."
"Is that so?" Jungkook acted like he hadn't just cried a while ago. "That's good."
"It's good if she makes you happy, but like what I warned you that day-" Jennie whispered. "You really have to be careful. At least until our contract is up, we don't want to get caught, do we?"
Jungkook nodded. "I'll be careful."
Jennie smiled. "Thanks for being more cooperative these days. I really, really appreciate it."
"I should have realised this earlier," Jungkook said with an apologetic smile. "I said a whole bunch of things to you that weren't too nice, huh. I'm... I'm-"
"I shan't ask you to apologise-" Jennie chuckled as she headed towards the lift. "I know you probably reached your kindness limit for today.
"Ya-" Jungkook sneered at her. "Watch your words."
Jennie giggled as she headed into the lift that had just arrived. "Goodnight, Jeon Jungkook."
Jungkook managed a small smile as he waved back.