Nine days ago. 10.24pm.

It had only been an hour and forty minutes since NCT 127’s new comeback song, Simon Says, had been released but Jisung had already watched the music video twenty-nine times.

He dearly wanted to keep playing it on a constant loop, but his homework was nagging at him in the back of his mind, nibbling away at his innermost thoughts, begging to be completed.

He had managed to complete a few of the math problems before his desire to watch his favourite boy group dragged him back to his phone screen. 

His eyes were transfixed to the small, brightly lit screen. Jisung had it set to the highest frame rate so he could see them in all their glory. Crisp and so perfect he could almost trick himself into thinking that they were dancing and singing right before his eyes, just for him; a private and intimate performance, right in his own bedroom.

He sucked in his breath as he watched the blonde haired, pixie-like Taeyong dance. So natural and fluid, like the music was breathing life through him. He was always so impressed with the man's rapping; his tone was everything.

Next, his eyes locked onto Jaehyun. The dynamic man with the piercing gaze; almost as if he were knowingly looking straight into Jisung's soul. Jisung loved his duality; the fact that he could rap and sing equally well was overwhelmingly impressive.

Jisung tucked his legs under his chin and his smile grew as Doyoung, the beautiful, elegant bunny-like man began to sing. This was his favourite part. First Doyoung, with his sweet high voice, followed by Jaehyun, perfect with every note he sang. Then it was Jungwoo, soft yet sexy at the same time and Haechan, whose voice was like heaven, and lastly the God, Taeil. Jisung sighed blissfully as Taeil hit that double high note like it was nothing.

He watched the video to its end then slumped back against his bed and stared up at the ceiling, letting his hand holding the phone flop to the ground. He let out another sigh, exhaling deeply. He was in his happy place: vivid images of the beautiful, skilled and talented men filled his mind and he let himself be drawn into them until his body was buzzing, overflowing with emotions like a shaken bottle of soda, it’s contents bubbling over the lip of the bottle.

He was floating in a dream-like state of happiness, yet insecurities were nipping at his feet. He wished he was as talented and naturally gifted as the members of NCT 127. He wished he could move like them, sing like them, look like them. They were so perfect and hard working, everything he so deeply wanted to be; his