Ghostly Relationships

Part Seven: Compliments

I can't stop sobbing.

It's so hard to have your childhood friend actually hate you ... and think you're a stalker.

I go out of iKON's block in the YG building and get in the elevator. A boy my age stands in it as well, and he looks at me and smiles. It's a very sweet smile. Then he sees my tears and his eyes widen.

We stand awkwardly in the elevator and I watch the numbers go down ... waiting for it to get to 'G'. Suddenly, it stops on 2.

I look around and see the boy doing the same thing. Then we lock eye contact. We both know what's happened. The elevator's stuck. 

My fists bang on the doors, and I try hooking my nails in the gap to pry open to door...with no luck of course.

The boy reaches forward and touches my hand. I flinch away and look at him.

"Ah, I'm sorry ... I just didn't want you to hurt yourself." He looks away shyly.

"I can take care of myself." I can feel my face flushing a deep crimson, so I look away as well. I see the buttons for which level you want to go, and then a red one. I learn forward and read it: 'Call help'. I press the red button and a loud beep goes off, and a voice says that they will get the elevator going shortly.

I stand back and feel extremely awkward, then the boy speaks.

"Uhm, are you okay? You look very upset." The boy says, concern in his voice.

I shake my head. "Well, believe it or not, when someone is crying their eyes out - they're probably not okay."

He laughs lightly, but it has no humour in it. "Right." The elevator squeaks and continues going down to the ground floor. I sigh a breath of relief. 

"Why are you upset, then?"

The question catches me off guard. I didn't think this guy would be so nosy. "Why should I tell you? I don't even know you."

The elevator door slide open and he gestures for me to go out first. I begin to walk out of the YG building, but he catches my wrist. "Ya, we've just been stuck in an elevator together, and you seem upset ... do you like coffee?"

"I'm not in the mood." I say coldly.

"How about something to eat?

This boy is consistent. I'm actually feeling a bit peckish, so I nod. "Fine. I have no money though."

"No problem! I'll buy everything." He smiles again. "Let's go."

We walk together down the street to a restaurant. I'm not too worried about disappearing though. I'm more scared of Hanbin's love disappearing.

He pulls out a chair for me and I thank him. 

"So, mysterious boy from the elevator, what's your name?" I question him, leaning forward on my elbows.

He raises an eyebrow. "Hmm, I'm mysterious am I? I've never been called mysterious by a girl before. That's surely an achievement."

I wave my hand in front of my face. "Yeah, yeah, congrats. What is it though?"

He smirks and I already know what he's gonna say. "On one condition."

"I knew it." I say and shake my head. "I knew there was gonna be something you wanted in return."

"Ah, so I'm guessing you already know what I'm going to ask for." He leans back and stretches him arms. "Tell me why you're upset."

I groan and sink down in my chair. 

The waitress comes over and asks what we want. Mysterious Elevator Boy lets me order first.

I order pasta and Elevator Boy orders steak. Hm, looks like he's got an addition to his name - Expensive Mysterious Elevator Boy. Level up.

He clicks his fingers in front of my face. "Hm? Sorry, I must've zoned out."

"C'mon, is it a deal or not?" He smiles warmly, it almost reaching a smirk.

"Fine."

"Yes!" Elevator Boy claps his hands together.

I hold my finger up and pause him in his tracks. "But - you have to go first."

He nods. "Fair enough. Okay, my name is Lee Wan Hyuk. I dunno, call me Hyuk. What's your name?"

"What? This wasn't part of the deal." It's my turn to smirk now.

Hyuk pouts. "Aw, c'mon. Be nice."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Okay. I get to ask you one more question though."

"Alright... Well, what's your name then?"

"Min Hyo."

Hyuk smiles softly. "Such a pretty name for a pretty girl."

Oh no. The blush spreads up my cheeks like wildfire. I brush my hair over my face as the waitress comes back with our food. We thank her and I fork a piece of penne, shoving it in my mouth to avoid answering the question I promised to answer.

I chew and swallow; look up and see Hyuk grinning at me. "What?"

"So cute~" He puts a chunk of meat in his mouth and chews. 

I laugh. "Stop smothering me in compliments. I don't like it."

Hyuk raises his eyebrows at me. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Huh, that one of the first times I've heard that from a girl." He says and tilts his head to the side. "No more compliments?"

"Thanks." I mumble and eat some more pasta.

I hear someone laughing at me and see Hyuk cracking up and point at me. "Huh?"

Hyuk stops laughing and grins. "You - you eat like a pig!"

I frown and furrow my brow. "Wah, you're rude aren't you?"

"You said you didn't want compliments. I'm not giving you any." 

"Aw, c'mon, you know what I mean." I say, and raise my eyebrows. "Be nice."

He claps his hands together. "Not until you tell me why you're upset like you promised."

So I tell him. I tell him everything about Hanbin, and I feel the sudden urge to tell him about me being a ghost as well.

"Well, that was harsh." Hyuk says, narrowing his eyes. "He kinda sounds like a dooshbag."

"No, he's not. It's my fault I didn't tell him what I'm about to tell you now." I take a deep breath and prepare myself for a reaction. "I ... I'm a ghost. Oh God, you probably won't even believe me. Please do, though. I've promised myself to tell everyone I meet ... I can't afford to hurt any more people. I died one year ago, and now I'm just a ghost with a silly bracelet."

Hyuk is looking down at the table and he glances up at me. "That's funny."

"No, Hyuk, I'm serious."

He grins takes my hands. It doesn't hurt ... is this what I think it is? "I'm a ghost too, Min Hyo."

My eyes widen and I stare at him. "Stop lying. It won't help me."

"Why would I lie about something as silly as a ghost?" Hyuk sniffs. "I mean, remember that it hurts when you get touched by a human? Are you hurting now?"

Damn it, he is really a ghost. "No ... so you really are a ghost?"

"Yes."