And I have to make a really important presentation today!
I skid through the doors and jab the button for 5.
I need to get to the 5th floor now!
But at the last second someone steps into the elevator.
I huff in annoyance and press the button again.
But that makes me drop all my papers.
I crouch down to pick up the scattered sheets.
And crack heads with someone trying to help me do the same.
Straight into Liam Chang’s brown eyes.
Why did it have to be him?
When we were in high school together…
He seemed to enjoy tormenting me.
And now we’re at the same community college.
I’ve avoided him for months.
I ignore him and gather up my papers.
The last thing I need is him taunting me.
Liam
Here, you missed one.
Shoot! Everything’s all mixed up now.
And I have seconds to get it sorted.
Liam
Do you have a presentation today?
Mina
I need to concentrate.
I turn my back to him and desperately try to reorder my papers.
The elevator jolts to a halt.
I almost drop everything again.
I turn around and press the buttons.
He steps forward and presses the buttons.
Liam
Hmm. I think we’re stuck in here.
Mina
I can’t be stuck in here!
Mina
I have a presentation RIGHT NOW!
Liam presses the help button.
Mina
I can’t believe this is happening.
How can I be stuck in an elevator?
And with LIAM CHANG of all people!
Liam
Hey, it’s going to be okay.
Liam
I’ll call for help from my phone.
Liam uses his cell phone to call the emergency number listed in the elevator.
I wait breathlessly for him to finish the call.
Liam
Okay, don’t freak out, but it’s going to be 30 minutes.
Mina
I have to get out of here now.
The elevator feels too small.
My papers are still a mess.
Liam
Hey, you need to calm down.
Mina
Don’t tell me what to do!
Mina
You don’t understand.
Mina
I can’t fail out of this course.
I see black stars at the edge of my vision.
He pulls my back against his chest
His arms are around my waist.
But instead I start to calm down.
Mina
What-what are you doing?
Liam
You were about to pass out.
Liam
You just need to breathe slowly, okay?
His chest is warm against my back.
Mina
I know how to breathe.
I pull away from him and put my back to the elevator wall.
What was I thinking letting him touch me in the first place?
This is Liam Chang we’re talking about.
He once emptied out my gym bag onto the floor in the middle of the hallway.
Mina
How did you know I was going to pass out?
Liam
Because I want to be a paramedic someday.
That doesn’t sound like the Liam Chang I know.
Liam
Is it such a surprise?
Mina
Yes. I mean, why do you want to be a paramedic?
Liam
The usual reasons, I guess.
Liam
I want to help people.
Liam
I want to be there to make a difference.
Liam looks down at the floor.
Liam
I guess I deserve that.
Mina
And if you really want to help someone?
Mina
You can help me get out of here.
Liam
Is it that important to you?
Mina
My professor said no excuses.
Liam
Let’s get you out of here.
He reaches up to the ceiling tiles of the elevator.
His shirt rides up and I look away.
But not before I see inches of toned, brown skin.
Liam
You said you wanted out, and I aim to please.
Liam
Maybe if I can climb out, I can go get help.
He smiles at me and I remember that he has cute dimples.
Mina
Liam, that’s a crazy idea!
Liam
I was such a jerk to you.
Liam
Back when we were in high school.
Liam
And now I’m so sorry for what I did.
He really does look sorry.
Liam
I was going through some stuff back then.
Liam
But I never should have taken that out on you.
He sits down on the floor.
His long legs stretching out across the width of the elevator.
I join him on the floor, sitting on the opposite side.
Mina
So why DID you treat me like that?
Liam
You might not believe this, but…
Liam
…I really liked you.
Liam
I had the biggest crush on you.
Liam
But then my mom and dad started fighting all the time—
Liam
And then they got a divorce.
Liam
It was really messy.
Liam
I was caught in the middle.
Mina
I had no idea that happened.
Liam
Yeah. I didn’t tell anyone.
Liam
I didn’t deal with it well at all.
Liam
I started acting out…
Liam
And doing stupid stuff like pulling pranks on you.
Mina
I don’t know what to say.
Liam
You don’t have to forgive me or anything.
Liam
I know what I did was wrong.
Liam
I guess I did what I did…
Liam
Because I didn’t want to like you.
Liam
And I didn’t want YOU to like ME.
Liam
It was stupid of me.
Liam
But I thought if we never liked each other…
Liam
Then we could never hurt each other.
Liam
But I still wanted you to know I was THERE, you know?
Liam
I still wanted your attention.
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
I move over so I’m sitting next to him.
Mina
I’m so sorry that happened to you.
He looks right at me and my stomach flips.
Liam
See? Even after everything I did you’re still so nice.
Liam
How could I ever NOT like you?
Mina
You mean you still…?
He smiles and those dimples pop out again.
My heart fully melts into a puddle and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
Suddenly the elevator starts moving.
I’ve never been more disappointed.
We both scramble to our feet.
The door pings and opens on the 5th floor.
There’s a group of students crowded around.
Student
Mina, where were you?
Student
Professor Singh says you failed.
I step out of the elevator.
Then I look over my shoulder at Liam.
Mina
It was really nice seeing you today.
Liam
Wait, aren’t you worried about your presentation?
Mina
I’ll explain it to my professor.
Mina
There’s always a way to fix past mistakes, right?
