foreign affairs (sehun)

five

Elevator rides were quiet now. I didn't look at him, he didn't interact with me, and nobody ever commented on the amount of baggy sweaters I seemed to stealing from Chanyeol. We just stood quietly, shut our mouths, and ignored each other like the plague.

I did notice, however, that Sehun never seemed to eat. Where as every day I would come in with an assortment of foods (steam buns, rice rolls, and even occasional leftovers from dinner the night before), Sehun was always empty handed.

It was the second time he was staring that I really noticed. Before, I pretended that I hadn't been paying attention; but now, him glancing at my food was quite obvious. I felt bad, seeing as I never had quite enough to share.

But I also didn't owe him shit.

So I continued to ignore him. That is, until I ran out of sweaters.

"Chanyeol, you have to have more!" I yelped, tearing through his laundry. 

He stuck his head out from his kitchenette, rolling his eyes. "Chae, I said no." He garbled out from a mouthful of toothpaste. His head disappeared, and I could hear the wet splat of him spitting into the sink. "Just wear a tee shirt, who cares if people see your sling."

I blew a strand of hair from my face, using my uninjured hand to brush it away. "I just don't want any pity."

I don't want to seem like I want attention.

"Well, I'm all out of hoodies for you, they're all in the laundry." Chanyeol sighed, stepping to meet me in his bedroom area. "Just wear what you have on and go, you look fine."

I glanced down at my leggings and black tee shirt, feeling understated. The white gauze of my sling especially stood out against the dark hues. I let out a huff. "Are you sure you don't have any more hoodies?"

Chanyeol shook his head, damp hair flicking water at me. "Nope."

"Fuck." I groaned, but moved aside to grab my book bag. "Well then I guess I'm going on my way."

"Have fun Chae-ah!" Chanyeol yelled through the closing door behind me, making me roll my eyes. 

"Bye Loey!" I yelled back, half-smile spreading across my face. Slowly, I made my way down the familiar old elevator, and reluctantly hit the button.

The bag on my shoulder growing heavy, I adjusted my stance, wincing slightly. Before I could prepare myself to be cold and steely, the elevator let out a shrill bing!, sliding open with the scraping of steel.

I couldn't see him, but knew where Sehun would be standing, hidden slightly around the corner. I stepped in quietly, hoping and praying that he wouldn't bother looking at me.

And it worked... at first. 

Until it didn't.

I could feel his eyes burning into my arm, sitting deathly still against my stomach. I ignored him.

I could see his feet, shuffling awkwardly and quietly against the brown carpet. Still, I ignored him.

But I couldn't ignore when his closed fist gave the Emergency Stop button a firm press.

"Sehun, what the hell? I'm going to be late." I snipped, moving to un-click the button.

He blocked me with his hand, but very softly, as though I had glass bones and paper skin. The softness was unexpected, making me recoil from his touch in surprise.

"When did that happen?" He asked, ignoring my obvious discomfort at his touch and instead gesturing at my sling.

"None of your business." I snapped, glaring at him. I felt bad for the way I had treated him, but I didn't forgive him for the way he had treated me. I didn't want to fight, was certainly not in the mood, so I reached for the button once more.