Can't stand you, Can't live without you

Chapter 23

Jimin's point of view

The mall was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling chaos I usually associated with Christmas Eve. I had expected excited families and friends searching for last-minute gifts, yet today heavy snow fall chased almost everyone away. My heart was half-heartedly in the decorations I gathered: some holly, a few shining ornaments, and a stack of colorful baking supplies. It felt pointless to feel festive in the stillness that surrounded me, but boredom at home was unbearable.

As I stepped into the elevator, I sighed, hoping to make it back to the warmth of my house before the snow piled up too high. A kindly old man shared the elevator with me for a few floors before he wished me well and exited. I felt a pang of loneliness as I rode the elevator up alone, the only sound being the soft Christmas carols playing overhead. The warm scent of cinnamon and cookies clung to my clothes, a comforting aroma amidst the cold silence of the mall.

Alone, I engaged with my phone, scrolling through endless social media feeds about how everyone else was spending their Christmas Eve. I heard the elevator stop and someone entering but didn't bother to look up, lost in my own world of virtual holiday cheer.

The elevator jerked, and I could feel my heart racing. As the lights flickered and the it ground to a halt, panic gripped me. I suddenly yelped and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down. I hated being trapped in tight spaces, especially when darkness crept in.

Suddenly, a deep chuckle broke through the silence. I opened my eyes to see Taehyung standing beside me, his teasing grin not helping my nerves at all. "I didn't know you scream like a sissy," he taunted.

Instead of getting angry, I surprised myself by laughing a little. Maybe it was the adrenaline still coursing through me or the unexpected company in this situation. "I'm just scared, you know," I admitted softly. "Those horror movies are really getting to me lately."

As Taehyung's teasing facade slipped for a moment, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place danced across his features. Quickly diverting his attention to his phone, a wave of unease washed over me. How did I end up in this predicament, about to confide in my enemy?

Feeling the cold seeping into my bones, I curled into myself, seeking solace from the chill. "Any idea how long we're stuck for?" I blurted out, hoping to mask my nervousness.

With a nonchalant shrug, he muttered, "Could be a while. Minutes, hours, who knows," still engrossed in his screen.

"Fantastic," I muttered under my breath, frustration bubbling within me. "I really hope it's not hours. Spending Christmas in an elevator was not on my holiday bucket list," I grumbled, the absurdity of the situation sinking in.

"Ugh, signal is dead down here," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice. Feeling a pang of annoyance, I began to drum my hands against my thighs. "You know, this is exactly why my life revolves around books and studying," I threw at him, trying to lighten the mood. "I don't have to deal with jerks like you in a novel."

He glanced up, raising one eyebrow in amusement. "What's with the sudden vulnerability, Park?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "Can I ask you something?" I pushed.

He nodded, looking intrigued. "Sure," he replied casually.

"Do you still hate me?" I blurted, my heart racing.