I Hear You { Lee Jeno Fanfic }

Chapter 2

Renjun sat in the back seat of the van between Jeno and Chenle. He groaned loudly, "Oh, my god, I'm so hungry!"

"We're all hungry," Jeno replied. "Let's just get home and we'll find something to eat."

Haechan turned around in his seat to see the other guys. "I have some bad news for you guys," he said. "I was cleaning the kitchen the other day, and I can tell you that there is nothing in there. We are so overdue for a grocery run."

"Well, then, let's just stop at a convenience store on the way and pick up some ramen or something," Jeno suggested, glancing at his watch.

"I want beef hotpot!" Renjun declared.

"YEEEE!" Chenle shrieked an octave higher than he should have.

Jeno held his head in his hands. "Guys, guys! Listen! I'm exhausted. I just want to go home. Hotpot is going to take forever. Let's just get home."

Jisung, who up until now had been silent, piped in, "We have to eat anyway. Why not eat something delicious?" he reasoned. "Why do we have to eat stale ramen?" He stretched his legs out in front of him, trying to find space for his gigantic feet.

"You know what?" Jeno said in exasperation. "Just let me out of the van. You guys can go get your hotpot and I'll take a cab from here." Jeno pushed his way to the side door when they were stopped at a light. Haechan grabbed his arm.

"Buddy, stay with us!" he pleaded. "It's late. Let's just go get some food. It'll be fun," he cajoled.

"Nope, I'm out," Jeno said, opening the sliding door and jumping out of the van. He checked his watch again. Rehearsal had gone very late. He was certain he had missed Alma's show by now.

"Damn my shitty luck," he cursed under his breath as he wove his way through the people walking on the busy sidewalk. He had waited all week for a chance to make one of her shows. He had hoped she might text him since she had his number, but no text ever came. At night, he would stare at his phone for hours, willing it to buzz, but it never did. He had the distinct feeling that his celebrity status didn't impress Alma. In some ways, he found that comforting because he didn't have to keep up any pretenses, but he had hoped he would have some type of edge in pursuing her. But she wielded the power and there was nothing he could do about it.

He considered getting a cab, but when he looked at the heavy traffic on the street, he realized he would have a better chance of making it to the coffee shop in time if he just ran. So, he took off, his long legs propelling him forward in lengthy strides on the concrete sidewalk. Several blocks from the café, Jeno took a breather. He leaned weakly against a light pole as he struggled to catch his breath. Above his loud gasps for air, he heard a high-pitched plaintive sound. He scanned the area, looking for the source of the pitiful cry. He peeked around the side of a pharmacy that stood on the street corner. There, by an overflowing dumpster, he saw a tiny kitten sitting on the remains of a pizza box.

In that moment, thoughts of catching Alma after her show were put on hold. He stared at the kitten's green eyes as it continued to squall incessantly. He picked up the shivering creature, feeling its little ribcage through its matted fur.

"Hey, baby," Jeno cooed at the tiny kitten that fit neatly in his palm. "How did you get out here by yourself?" He looked around for the mother cat but saw no signs of one. The kitten wore no collar for identification. So, Jeno decided to tuck the miniscule creature under his shirt, against his warm chest.