A Holly, Jolly Crisis

Chapter 8

Wedding planning was put on hold the next day, everyone's attention shifting towards the holidays. With only two days left until Christmas Eve, it was time for the annual neighborhood holiday party.

The neighborhood holiday party had been a tradition ever since you were little – even before the holiday cookie competition caught on. It was formal attire, hosted by a different family in the neighborhood every year. This year the Jeons were the hosts, which was a good thing because they only lived a few blocks away.

On the drive over, you stared out the window and tried to silence the butterflies in your stomach. Seated in the middle seat, you felt like a high schooler again. It certainly didn't help that, once again, you found your thoughts entirely consumed by Hoseok. Just like in high school.

You couldn't stop thinking about what Sara had said, how everyone in your friend group thought you'd get together. Truthfully, you'd thought the same many times prior, but nothing had ever come to fruition. Sometimes it had been because of him – and sometimes because of you.

The last time had been because of you.

Before you left New York for LA, there had been a moment between you and Hoseok you'd done your best to forget. You'd been close at the time, always at one or the other's apartments in between classes or work. Your job back then had been terrible, even worse than the PBS one after.

When you texted Hoseok on Friday you needed to work Sunday, he'd showed up at your door holding red wine and take-out. You spent yet another evening watching dumb movies and drinking, but this one had ended differently than the rest.

As the credits rolled on the movie and you finished your last glass of wine, you'd sighed and rolled over on top of the couch. Hoseok had been seated on the floor, legs splayed and leaning against the cushions.

When he turned to face you, he was mere inches away. You remember the muted light from the TV playing over his features, making your heart skip for a second.

The movie had been tense, which had caused Hoseok to run his fingers through his hair in frustration. As a result, the strands stuck up every which way, making you smile.

Hoseok had smiled in return. "What?" he'd said, a bit lower than usual.

"Nothing," you'd laughed, making his smile widen.

"Seriously, what?"

"Nothing!"

Reaching out, you'd tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Hoseok went still, staring at your hand resting near his cheek. You'd moved to retract this, but Hoseok had reached up and caught your hand in his.

You could still remember that feeling. That dizzy, pulse-pounding feeling of his hand in yours. You'd felt it at various points in your friendship, but never so clearly as lying on the couch, inches away from his lips with your hand in his.

Hoseok's thumb lazily brushed your wrist, causing a warm jolt of pleasure to shoot to your core. His lips parted, as though to speak – and your phone had rung in your pocket.

Scrambling upright, the moment broke when you answered the call. Hoseok fell back, looking stunned and he made an excuse to leave after that. You hadn't discussed it the next day and it wasn't long after you announced your move to LA.

The two events weren't necessarily connected – or maybe they were.

Now, even you were beginning to have doubts. After that night, you'd realized you were developing feelings for Hoseok again. Maybe a tiny part of you thought that by moving away you'd force yourself to move on.