I can read your smile - Choi Minho SHINee Fanfic (COMPLETED)

Chapter 18 - Christmas Eve

~Christmas Eve~

~Crystal's POV~

24th of December. If you open the TV on any channel, you would either see Home Alone, Grinch, The Nightmare Before Christmas or whatever other Christmas movie with "Miracle" in the title and with a lot of green, red or blue in its cover.

I didn't dislike these movies per-se, but they did make me feel bittersweet. Christmas was a nice holiday, but how can I enjoy it when I'm once again spending it on my own?

Instead of wasting away on the sofa, I decided to do something I haven't done in a while, which is go to the gym in the apartment complex.

I changed into sports clothes and made my way downstairs.

Damn, Minho would be proud of me.

That thought made me chuckle a bit, and I pondered on whether I should text him or not. I decided against it.

Opening the door to the reception, a nice lady with blonde hair and a perfect silhouette welcomed me.

"The apartment number, please?" She smiled, and I told her. "Oh, I see there's two memberships under the name Choi Minho. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Then you must be..."

"Crystal Kang."

"Right." She smiled sweetly. "I see Mr. Choi hasn't extended the memberships for next month yet. Would you like me to extend them for you now? Since it's Christmas time, we have a bit of a discount. Nothing much, 5% off, but you might be interested."

Huh?

Didn't Minho say that if you live in this building...

"How much are the memberships again?" I asked with a smile.

"You've been paying 200$ for the two memberships up until now, but if you renew today, you would get them both at 190$. Again, it's not much, but..."

"I see. Thank you for the information. I will talk to my friend and let you know." I smiled, then entered the gym.

He's been paying for my membership for the past 6 months or so, 100$ per month.

Almost my whole rent.

Fucking hell, Minho.

I sighed and went on the treadmill, trying to run away from my thoughts.

After my intense 30-minute running session, I made my way upstairs, took a long shower, then made something to eat.

5 PM.

Time is moving so slow when you're alone.

Maybe I should've gone to work today.

I laid down on the couch and looked around the room, at the Christmas tree. Minho's gift sat untouched underneath, and it will stay that way until after New Years' Eve, when he comes back, and I'll give it to him.

Maybe I shouldn't have put it there.

Of course, there was nothing for me under the tree, because I was all alone, and Santa wasn't real.

Turning on the TV only made me more depressed, because all the films were about happy families, happy moments, happy endings. It was getting tiring to see the same shit over and over again.

It didn't make me happy. On the contrary, actually.

Barely 5 PM.

I sighed and covered myself with the fluffy blanket I brought from my room. Despite it being warm, I felt so cold, that I covered my whole body with it and went in the fetal position, hugging the blanket around myself tightly.