Author's | PARK JIHOON

iv.

"Since I'm still saying at the headquarters of Produce 101 Training Center, you can stay here for a while," Jihoon said as he opened the door and the lights of where I was supposed to stay.

I nodded and placed my bags at the side, "By the way, can I still work on my story?"

"Oh no, love," he immediately said, raising his index finger, "That would be like narrating what 'used' to happen between us." He stepped closer to me, "Or perhaps a story that you'd like to make with me in the future?"

I took a step back, "Park Jihoon, I would like you to step away from me so that your fans won't kill me, thank you very much." He chuckled and messed with my hair.

"Don't worry, I was just kidding," he said as he started walking around his apartment with his hands on his pocket.

Ah, of course. You should really just be kidding. But why do I feel a tiny bit of pang in my heart? —like a really teeny meeny bit, really really small.

He showed me the different parts of his apartment. It was quite big — just like where I used to stay. But it was weird because his apartment speaks of the word lonely. I could feel that at some point there was this tiny guy who lived alone in this apartment, crying whenever he feels the need to.

I shook my head thinking why was I even worried about him. I'm so attached in being a writer that I always make scenarios in my head by just observing a person, an environment, or the people around him. Jihoon absolutely noticed that I was shaking my head.

He placed his hand on my head, "Are you okay?" He tilted my face with his other hand, observing what I looked like right now. I awkwardly laughed while trying to remove both his hands but he was stubborn and kept them in place.

"You're so pale," he stated, moving closer to my face while squinting his eyes to look at my pale lips. My body trembled. What the— Don't give up on me now, self. Oh my god, who wouldn't tremble when this guy's so close.

"Jihoon, please. Please please please," I said while looking away. I covered my pale lips with both of my hands for him to stop staring. He stepped away, looking like he can't believe he just did that.

"Sorry, I'm so clingy, aren't I?," he scratched his head. He even looked uncomfortable— or was it him just being shy?

I bit my lip, "Yeah... you're a bit touchy. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be like this." He looked down after I said that. I quickly took back my words, "B-but—! I like clingy, hehe." His face suddenly lit up. Huh, I guess we don't want to be disappointing each other anyway. But really, I don't like clingy. I'm a bit conscious with my own 'personal space'. Though it was Jihoon, anyway. Besides, he let me crash at his place and he really looked like he's sincere looking after me.

He looked at his watch, "Oh I have to hurry over to our training center because I still have practice. I won't be going back here today, okay? I'll see you tomorrow. Take care of yourself." He hurried reaching his way out while wearing his black face mask but before he could leave the room, I tugged at his shirt and slightly grinned, "Can I come with you?"

He thought for a few seconds before saying a steady 'no'. He looked down at my hands still tugging at the hem of his shirt but I refused to let go. "I didn't know you were also clingy," he mocked me, raising an eyebrow.

I forced the words out my throat, "Pretty please, Jihoonie." I was expecting him to cringe after he saw my aegyo so I closed my eyes for a while and then breathed out so I couldn't see his expression. I opened my eyes and continued persuading him, "I got here in South Korea just hours ago and you're leaving me alone? Who knows when your crazy fans will attack me? I almost got caught in the airport, if it wasn't for the representative of Maroo who acted fast with my situation."

Jihoon rolled his eyes and removed one strap of his face mask to speak clearly, "Okay fine, you come too. But remember, you might not know the other trainees but they know you. So be careful with your actions, okay?"

He put back his face mask and started walking towards the elevator to reach the underground parking lot. I followed him quietly while celebrating inside my head.

As soon as the driver parked the car somewhere safe where there are no fans at the training center, I excitedly grabbed the handle of the car for me to get out. The door was already ajar but Jihoon, who was sitting beside me, pulled me back and shut the door at the same time.

He removed the face mask he was wearing and placed it on me instead. He patted my head and reached his hand to open my side of the door. I literally stopped breathing when he neared me. I didn't know that I was already staring at him when he snapped his fingers in front of me and then laughed while combing his hair back with his fingers.

"Uh, you might want to go out of the car already?," he suggested. I blinked a few times before actually going out. I followed quietly behind him, still shocked by what happened earlier. Also, I can't help but think that his lips were all over this mask awhile ago and now I'm wearing it, oh my god.

As soon as I saw the other trainees, a specific guy caught my eye. I unknowingly held Jihoon's arm while forgetting how to breathe. Jihoon looked at me questioningly. I held my stare at the guy just meters away from me until we had eye contact. Jihoon's eyes followed where my eyes were at.

Jihoon furrowed his eyebrows, uttering his name with curiosity, "Bae Jinyoung?"