effie | stray kids

boundaries.

in which a manager gets a little too close for comfort. 

*has situations that might be a little uncomfortable for sensitive readers*

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"thank you for your hard work~" effie thanked the staff as the members had finished an interview. the stylists gave her her sweatpants and hoodie she came in and said their goodbyes.

she came out and waited on a chair, patiently sitting for minho, who seemed to be taking his sweet time while changing. as she quietly sat in the seat, looking on to the set where she was answering questions half and hour ago, their new manager came up to her.

effie wasn't on the best of terms with her new manager. effie didn't trust people easily, but she just didn't have a good feeling about him when he was introduced to stray kids. effie wasn't the one to be wrong about people's personalities, but she didn't say anything to the others, since they seemed fine with him. it was just the way he looked at her, like he had a vendetta against her. she didn't feel comfortable to be alone with him, so she made sure to be with someone when around him.

this time, effie was alone. the staff had gone home, or were either in the reception. the boys - excluding minho - were waiting in the car for the other two dancers. the man looked at the girl with the same look he always had on around her, and just...stared at her silently.

effie was beginning to feel uncomfortable, goosebumps appearing upon her arms as she prayed for minho to come through the door so they could leave. he sat in the chair right next to the girl, as effie's fierce personality disappeared, and a vulnerable teenager replaced it. he didn't do anything at first as effie didn't move, frozen to her spot.

he softly put his hand on her clothed shoulder, staying silent, which somehow made him even more terrifying. he observed every detail of the australian female, appreciating her visuals. he concentrated on her eyes, her eyes that people feared when she looked at them with hatred, eyes that were now filled with fear. he wondered why she was scared, he didn't do anything wrong in his mind, he just wanted to appreciate effie.

"please don't," effie choked out as loud as she could. the manager who still had his hand on her shoulder stood up, and stroked her face, "you're really pretty, you know that?" usually the words would make the young girl blush, but his words had the opposite effect on her, as she shrank away from his touch.

"i'm just taking care of you, like i said i would on my first day of our relationship." effie froze, "relationship?" 

"of course, ef." effie cringed at his use of her nickname. "we're dating." the man said in such a harsh manner, as if he were trying to convince himself. before effie could reply, the man suddenly jerked back with his eyes widening. 

"the only thing you two are going to be, is separated." minho stood in front of the wide-eyed 18 year old, pissed to the fullest extent. the man, knowing it was minho, realizing that he would be fired and possibly get put in jail, tried to run away before he was stopped by the security that the dancer had called before arriving to help effie.

the manager was taken away as effie buried her head in the older member's shoulder and just closed her eyes in shock for a while. he sat with her and was quiet, just like the man, but this time, the silence wasn't uncomfortable and suffocating, but instead was comforting and understanding. minho guided effie to the door as she made him promise not to tell any of the members about the incident. he was determined to tell the leader, but nodded nevertheless.

as she wiped away the evidence of her sadness, she bottled in her emotions, like she usually did. she didn't like talking about her feelings too much, in fear it would be used against her. she stayed quiet, and didn't press charges for the fear of bringing down her group. the manager was fired and effie was just content that she didn't need to see him again.

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hi~ i just wanted to write about this since this happened to me a while ago, and i finally felt ok with talking about it [after 4 years but oh well better late than never]. it obviously wasn't a manager bc ya girl isn't good looking/talented enough to be an idol lmao. anyway, please please please stay safe and tell someone if you don't feel comfortable around someone, no matter the gender. girls and boys alike can have awful intentions with people, so be carefUL MY CHILDREN