Mindlessly, Arang exited the bus. She glanced down at her phone which was open to her navigation application and followed the robotic voice whenever it told her to turn left, right or keep venturing forward. Taehyung was heading in the same direction of course but he was lagging behind a couple of yards. If someone were to look at the two of them now, they would have assumed that they were complete strangers.

The girl's wrist was still aching and she was certain that she would wake up with a discolored bruise in the morning. The pain was bearable so she was able to ignore it for the most part. The streets of the city were vacant at this time and she was relieved that it was. Seoul was deemed one of the safer places in the country but you might never know. Anything was possible. Psychopaths could be hiding anywhere, waiting to strike when you least expected it.

Taehyung had his hands shoved into the pocket s of his jeans as he focused his gaze straight ahead. How could a girl wander around alone so fearlessly? Was this bravery or just plain stupidity on her part? He didn't know and frankly he didn't care.

After a good ten minutes, the mechanical voice informed Arang that she had arrived at her designation, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked up at a towering apartment villa was planted in front of her. It was definitely much nicer than her place. It wasn't a five star hotel or anything. Let's just say Arang wouldn't mind living there.

Before she could take another step, Taehyung sauntered by her and walked toward the main entrance. He swiped his keycard and watched as the light turned green. When it did he pulled the handle and stepped inside. Arang managed to slip in right when the door was about to close on her. She forgot to ask the director for the floor and apartment number of the boys' dorm and had no choice but to allow Taehyung to be her guide.

The boring elevator music nearly put Arang to sleep as she stared at the number of floors they had already surpassed. The doors finally diverged on the seventh level. However, she didn't move until she saw Taehyung do so.

The idol hadn't said a word to her since her outburst back at the bus-stop and she started to wonder if he had really gotten upset with her. There's no way he actually took what she said to heart, was there? She was only telling him the truth. Besides, she's slapped him with more vile insults and names before and he was perfectly fine with it. So why was he acting so unlike his usual arrogant self? It was definitely out of character even for him.

A wave of guilt suddenly washed over her conscious and she couldn't comprehend why. Had she taken it too far like the time she had kneed his family jewels? She reviewed the speech she had given him to see if she could pick out anything that might have struck a nerve but she came up with nothing.

She didn't really degrade or belittle him like she would normally do. All she did was specify and clarify what they were to one another and their roles in this game of charades.

Maybe he wasn't mad at her. Maybe there was something else bothering him.

They came to a halt and Taehyung punched in the passcode. He was about to open the door when Arang reached out and latched onto his forearm. He peered back at her without any kind of expression. "What do you want?" He pulled out of her grasp only to have her hook arms with him.

"The curtains are drawn now," she pointed out in a hushed tone. It was time for them to pretend that they were a couple. Wouldn't it be weird if they entered the apartment separately without being engaged in some form of skinship? Taehyung's lips parted and Arang quickly cut him off. "You're the one who told me to put in the effort. That's what I'm doing so I'd appreciate it if you didn't complain."

"Whatever," he muttered as he twisted the knob, removing the barrier hindering them from uniting with his friends. "We're back." He deadpanned. A stampede of feet which resembled those of animals ensued along with excited chatter.

The six young men Arang was starting to get accustomed to seeing appeared. They were all dressed in pajamas, looking like they were ready to hit the hay. Perhaps she should have brought a set of comfy clothes to switch into because watching a movie in a dress didn't sound all that pleasant. "It's nice to see you again, Arang!" Yoongi exclaimed giddily.

"Welcome to our home," Namjoon greeted.

"Make yourself comfortable. What's ours is yours." Seokjin gestured around, extending his warmest hospitality.

"Ah yes, I will." Arang nodded with a small smile.

Taehyung then unlinked his arm from hers. He removed his shoes and put on his slippers. "I'm going to change." He stated flatly, not bothering to spare another glance toward Arang. His friends did not notice his drastic shift in attitude though since they were too buoyant with the girl's presence.

"We took the liberty and bought you some slippers. We thought you might be coming over more often since we know about your relationship. Hope you like them." Hoseok placed a pair of lavender slippers speckled with white polka dots in front of Arang and her eyes rounded in surprise. Seriously, how could these guys be so kind to her? She was nothing but a stranger to them. How could they accept her with gaping arms like this? They barely knew her!

"That was really sweet of you all. Thank you, I really appreciate it." She placed a hand against the wall to help support herself as she bent her left leg up behind her back and unzipped the back of her sandal. She did the same thing for the other side and neatly arranged her shoes off to the side. Her eyes then landed on Taehyung's worn out Nike Free Runs which were lying around messily. Intuitively she organized them next to hers.

"How do they feel? Are they soft enough?" Seokjin questioned.

"Yeah, they feel really soft." She replied truthfully, the corners of her lips still etched upward. "Thanks again for inviting me over."

"No problem. We're just happy that we get to spend more time with you. It'd be really cool if we all got along, especially for Taehyung's sanity." Namjoon laughed being transparent with his thoughts.

"Yeah, and while we're at it if you have any embarrassing stories regarding Tae just keep in mind that we would love to listen to them." Yoongi winked and Arang couldn't help but stifle a chuckle.

"I will if something comes to me," she promised. But since the only humiliating story she could recall about Taehyung was related to the whole Peeping Tom matter, she was sure that she would have nothing to share.

"Anyways come on in. Everything's pretty much set. We were just waiting for you guys to arrive." Hoseok explained as he led the way to the living room.

"Oh isn't this—" Arang lifted the familiar stuffed sea turtle lounging on the couch and examined it.

"Isn't it cute?" Jimin beamed, popping up beside her. "Taehyung brought it home a while ago but instead of treasuring it he tossed it out. It was such a waste so I fished it out and kept it for myself. His name is Squirt, you know after the little turtle from Finding Nemo."

"I'm sorry, he did what?" Arang clenched her jaw and restrained herself from stomping into Taehyung's room (whichever one it was) and thwacking him in the head with the toy. Did he not know how much heat she had gotten from her manager because of this damn turtle?

If he was going to steal it, he should have at least had the decency to take good care of it. But what was this? He disposed of it as if it was last week's leftover casserole? What was he thinking? She realized her behavior might have seemed strange and swiftly recovered. "I mean you're totally right. It's such a cute turtle. Why would anyone ever do such a thing?"

"You can hold onto it for now in case you get scared." Jimin offered as he flopped down into a bean bag chair. Arang pursed her lips out as she stared at the turtle. Why would she get scared?

A door slammed and everyone flinched, startled. Taehyung returned, this time his face plastered with a synthetic smile. "Are we going to watch this movie or what? Arang has to be home by midnight." He announced, making sure they were aware that her time with them was limited.

"Okay, okay. Everyone take a seat. Let's get this show on the road. Someone hit the lights." The youngest member immediately shut them off before he dropped into the second bean bag chair stationed beside Jimin. Hoseok and Yoongi sprawled out on the floor, being the ones closest to the television while Seokjin and Namjoon sat on the floor as well but with their backs up against one side of the couch and their long legs stretched out in front of them.

This meant that the coffee-brown suede couch that could fit up to at least three people (four if they were small enough, which they were) was left empty for Arang and Taehyung to occupy. Awkwardly they sat down on the left side where they could put their feet down on the floor without inconveniencing someone else.

There was a minimum of twelve inches between their bodies but even then the distance was still too intimate for them. Blankets and pillows were scattered around for those who needed them and if the seating arrangements weren't bad enough, unfortunately for Arang and Taehyung they were only given one blanket to share amongst the two of them. Since they didn't want the space separating them to be revealed in case questions would surface, they covered their lower bodies with the blanket. Four bowls of popcorn were distributed as well. Taehyung was in charge of holding the popcorn.

"The featured film of the night will be, drum roll please." Yoongi paused as Jungkook rhythmically smacked his thighs with his hands to imitate the sound of drums and once he stopped Yoongi completed his announcement. "The Hills Have Eyes!" He used the remote to click on the title and a poster of the movie accompanied by the reviews and ratings came into view. They were using Netflix since it was easier and saved them some money.

"I heard it was a classic and since it's my turn this week I am proud to present to you all my selection." Yoongi explained.

"The hills have what?" Arang repeated with crevasses wedged into her forehead. What kind of title was that? Leave it to the Americans to come up with such strange titles.

Unintentionally Taehyung answered her. "That's the same reaction I had."

"Be quiet! The movie's starting." Yoongi shouted. How ironic.

What appears to be an abandoned gas station located in the middle of nowhere comes up on the screen. The tinkling of glass bottles being struck by the wind creates a rather bone-chilling sound. The camera zooms into a one story house and shows an old man getting up from his bed; the springs must have been rusty because there's creaking. He places his hat on, tugging on the brim to secure it on his head. Exiting the confines of his home with a shotgun in his possession, he calls out for somebody by the name of Ruby.

An eerie melody begins to play, convincing the audience that something awful would soon occur. The camera scans the parched landscape which seems to lack any kind vegetation and the contorted fences surrounding it. A trespassing sign covered in dirt is hanging on the barbed wires before the attention refocuses on the man. He has arrived to what looks like an old entryway for mining. He shouts angrily into the black abyss, cursing non-stop. Just who was he talking to?

A duffle bag is now sitting in front of his door. Where did it come from? The music intensifies for a quick second before it settles. The man whirls around screaming to no one in particular, saying that he was done. With what? Who knows. He marches into his house only to poke his head back out to retrieve the bag. Inside he rummages through it and discoveries some cheap jewelry. A white Styrofoam box normally used to store food catches his attention. He opens it and is greeted with blood and a severed human ear.

"That is so sick," Yoongi whispered, his stomach beginning to clench at the sight.

Arang's interest was heightened as she continued to watch in anticipation.

The man is not scared which is definitely odd. Calmly he puts the box down and finds a photograph of a couple. There is beeping and hollering coming from the outdoors. Someone is requesting service. The owner of the gas station leaves to tend to his customers, a lit cigar hanging out of his mouth. A couple is there, their teenaged son and daughter sleeping in the back seat of the truck. A trailer is attached as well with their eldest daughter, her husband and their baby girl inside.

The man asks where they are heading off to since many visitors tried to avoid the long route they were on. The wife tells him that San Diego is their destination. Just as the family is about to depart, the man knocks on the window and offers them some directions that is supposed shorten their trip. They follow his instructions and take the road that isn't on the map. Spikes suddenly appear and before the father could hit the brakes it's too late. The tires are sliced up and the vehicles swerve, crashing into a boulder. They shouldn't have listened to the stranger because now they were stranded out in the middle of nowhere and they were not alone.

As the movie progressed, it was revealed that there were many assailants (all of them being men). There was also a girl who went around wearing a red cloak but she wasn't like the rest of them. She was different. All of them were disfigured and out for blood with the exception of the girl. They had withered, thin hair that grew on random spots on their head while their teeth were spaced out unevenly, sharp and jagged like a shark's. One of them even had metal pieces nailed to his head.

Their current condition was apparently caused by nuclear testing secretly conducted by the government in the state of New Mexico. The methods in which they mercilessly slaughtered the members of the innocent family and their pets were gruesome and repulsive. The father was burned alive in front of his own family, the birds and dogs were consumed, the daughters were violated, the oldest girl and her mother shot trying to defend themselves and the baby kidnapped.

The boys didn't know what they were expecting from the movie but whatever it was, it was definitely not this. This was cannibalism and cruelty at its finest. Arang, on the other hand, was completely entranced by it. Her eyes were glued to the screen because she didn't want to miss a single thing as she chucked one piece of popcorn into her mouth at a time.

You'd think she'd feel sympathy for the poor family but she didn't. Well, minus what the daughters had to endure of course. What happened to the women was unsettling and tragic. She had to agree that it enraged her. What were the writers thinking? As for everything else, they brought it upon themselves. If they had just stayed on the main road like they were going to do, everything would have been alright.

She couldn't blame everything on the psychopaths though since they faced a great injustice as well. Did she condone what they were doing? Absolutely not. Yes, there were some scenes that disgusted her but she was able to remain calm because she constantly reminded herself that this was all fiction. None of it was real.

The widowed husband had just stumbled upon a town filled with mannequins of all shapes and sizes. It was a military base where the nuclear testing had taken place. He had also found his daughter there. A bald woman was inside and she actually looked normal.

"What is he doing? He's going to get caught." Jungkook covered his eyes, not having the courage to find out what would happen. All of the guys screamed when the baby cried and the woman struck the man and everything went black.

"He's a goner." Hoseok shook his head when they saw that he was trapped in a freezer with dismembered body parts. Like a maniac he punched the plastic cover and managed to escape. They applauded him for his determination and prayed that he would make it out to safety with his daughter.

"I can't do this anymore," Seokjin shivered when the actor's fingers got chopped off with an axe. He was now on his knees, wielding a screwdriver as he begged for his life. The scene was heartbreaking. The maniac laughed in his face as he held the axe against his victim's neck. When he turned away to boast, the protagonist stabbed his foot with the tool, pierced a small flag into his neck and finished the job with the axe. They assumed it was going to be a happy ending.

There were ten minutes left and surprisingly enough most of the guys had drifted off into a deep slumber. Who could blame them though? They had an exhausting day. It was understandable. It was human. The only people up were Taehyung, Arang and Jimin (who was barely awake).

"So she's Ruby," Arang admired the girl in the red cloak for being brave enough to go against the people who raised her. She even sacrificed herself to save a father and daughter she didn't know.

"I had a hunch it was her." Taehyung said, nodding in approval. "The cloak was a dead giveaway."

Since the film was reaching its joyous conclusion, Arang figured it was okay to look at the boy. Somehow the distance between them had shrunken and they were now seated right next to each other, their thighs touching. However, neither of them seemed to be irked by the fact. "You're not scared?" She asked, blinking profusely. That was a shocker.

"Why would I be? None of it is true. I mean sure there were a few parts that got me but not to the point where I'd wet my pants. I'm surprised you're not crying." He countered.

"Like you said this is all fake. I've got to hand it to you, I thought you were going to be all squeamish."

"Please, horror flicks are my area of expertise. I've watched more grotesque things than this." He bragged. "But speaking of squeamish, did you hear Yoongi?"

"Who didn't? I didn't know a guy could scream that high. I wonder why he's a rapper and not a main vocalist." She snorted.

"Maybe you should bring that up and see what he says." Taehyung laughed.

It looked like for once the two of them had set their prejudices aside without even realizing it.

The credits were running, nearly blackening the entire room. If it weren't for the white fonts, Arang and Taehyung would have had an even harder time seeing each other. "How's your wrist?" He had caught her touching it a couple of times throughout the movie.

"My wrist? It's fine." She answered.

Taehyung didn't believe her though. Impulsively, he grabbed her hand, making sure to be gentle. Carefully he folded the sleeve of her denim jacket up, exposing her bruised wrist. A pang of guilt struck him. Even though he didn't cause the injury, he still could have prevented it. Indirectly, he was the reason. Arang was still a girl after all. No matter how mad he was at her he shouldn't have left her there to fend for herself. She had the sleeves rolled up to her elbows when he first picked her up. She must have put them down before they arrived to the apartment to conceal the contusion. "What are you doing?" She furrowed her brows and extracted her arm.

"Come here," he ordered as he coiled his fingers around her other wrist. They stumbled through the dark but made it to the kitchen without disturbing anyone. Taehyung turned the light on and sat her down. After he rummaged through the freezer and took out a package of frozen peas. He handed them to Arang, his gaze fixated elsewhere. "I'm sorry," he let out in an inaudible whisper.

"What?" Arang placed the bag on her wrist and pursed her lips out.

"Nothing." He sighed. "Wait here, I'll go grab the first aid kit." Why was he being like this to her?

Taehyung spun around to leave but was stopped when she suddenly spoke up. She stared at his back, her voice aloof yet placid. "Just who are you, Kim Taehyung?"

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author's note

» spoiling you all yet again! waaaaah, sorry that i talked about the movie so much! just wanted you guys to see what they were seeing! i didn't want to make it too predictable so i allowed taehyung to like horror movies so that they have something in common besides their stubborn personalities! oh my gosssssssssssssh. i didn't want to link a bg song since the creepy movie didn't go with anything but i felt like it was necessary especially for the end! 

their progress is slow but it's moving, wouldn't you agree? what do you think happened at the end? and the frozen picture i imagine for this chapter is Taehyung about to walk away and Arang looking at him. other pictures would be them sitting next to each other, linking arms and him looking at her wrist! meeeeeeeeeeep i'm trying to make these two and their relationship as realistic as i can. please bear with me. and i'm trying to show their thoughts and personalities more as well.