Shelving it – Jin

Stocking shelves in the supermarket was not my favourite part of my job but did I really have a favourite part? It was part time work, late at night, helping me get through the last year of my degree and it was mindless. So mindless that, depending who my night supervisor was, I could listen to music while I worked, wireless headphones tucked behind the hair that fell into a loose bun at the base of my neck, mostly hidden from customers. Thankfully, that was the case tonight and my favourite songs were helping the hours go by.

Tonight was not a night I wanted to be working. It was cold outside and cold inside, the uniforms designed to be practical, not warm and I had goosebumps on my arms as I unpacked another box to shelve the cans. These ones needed to go on the top shelf and I had grabbed a ladder, not the tallest at the best of times. As I carried a few up at a time, I grumbled, wondering why they didn't get some of the taller staff to do the top shelf while I did other ones but it didn't really matter, I was being left mostly to myself and that was how I preferred it.

Still, it was taking longer than I would've liked so I added an extra two cans to my pile and ascended the steps again, juggling them as I did and failing miserably. The last one began to fall from my hand and I grimaced as it sailed towards the ground. As I tried to reach out and grab it, the movement sent me off balance a little and I went to reach for the ladder rung to stop myself from falling.

Two things happened at once. The can didn't hit the ground and neither did I as I became aware of the hand that had steadied my back. At the same time I noticed another hand had caught the can as it fell. Turning with a grateful smile it changed into a gulp as I came eye to eye with someone much taller than me, someone I instantly recognised. His eyes flicked down to the can, then to his hand on my back and he quickly but carefully removed it after making sure I was steady.

"Thank you," I said, cheeks beginning to flush a little as I climbed down the ladder, avoiding eye contact as he handed the can to me, his natural athleticism having saved both the can and myself. He stepped back out of the way as my feet hit the ground and I nodded with a small bow, grateful to have my feet on the ground as my legs had turned to jelly.

"Are you OK," he asked, quietly.

"Ah, ye... yes thank you," I answered, my voice sounding shaky.

"OK, good. I want kimchi, do you have," he asked and I had to stop myself from stammering when I replied.

"We do in the international aisle, number 7," I said, tucking my hair behind my ear, self conscious with having him standing so close. Then I realised one of my headphones had fallen when I stumbled on the ladder and my eyes dropped to the ground to search it out. His eyes followed mine and spotted it first, crouching down to pick it up. As he went to hand it to me, he heard the music coming through and smiled, a big genuine one.

"Ah, ARMY?"

I nodded, aware my face was probably a very serious shade of pink by now. The goosebumps from the cold earlier were still there but now stood up from being discovered listening to his voice, along with his six other hyung.

"Have you the new album?"

I nodded again, wondering when my mouth would start moving to answer him with words instead of gestures. It didn't seem to phase him though, likely used to stunned silences as females, and males for that matter, looked at him.

"Can you show me the kimchi?" His face was kind as I glanced up at him.

"Of course, follow me," and started walking in that direction, aware that his legs were much longer than mine so that he easily slid into stride next to me.

We didn't speak as we walked the short distance, stopping in front of the somewhat limited selection. "This is the only big jar we have otherwise you'll need to get quite a few of the small ones to feed you all."

"Oh, just me tonight. We have all had food but I am still hungry and wanting some of home."

"Well, I'm not sure which one you would like best but I hope you enjoy the one you pick," I replied, thinking I should leave him to it, wishing I wasn't so in my head that I couldn't take hold of this moment while I had the chance and speak to him a little longer.

He was looking at the options and I looked around too, noticing there was no security nearby. I also took the opportunity and really looked at him properly while trying to make sure he didn't notice. The baseball cap, jeans and tee he wore were fairly standard for lots of young men so I guessed he was trying to blend in. But still, I commented.

"I thought security was always around."

"Am I in danger here with you," he asked, a little like banter, enough to get my heart racing from his tone.

"Ah, not from me but others might not be so quiet."

Looking around the empty aisle he laughed. "That is why I shop so late. No-one is really here. And security is nearby." He took a jar off the shelf and stood looking down at me, causing my cheeks to rogue up again.

"Thank you for your help ARMY."

"Ah, anytime, I hope you enjoy it. And your time here."

"Are you coming to our concert?"

"Unfortunately, no. The tickets sold out so fast that I missed out."

"Oh, I am sorry, you are all so important to us." His expression looked genuine and I smiled.

"I know, you make it very clear in your songs. I'm sure it will be amazing. Well, I should leave you to your food," pointing at his jar, feeling awkward.

"And you to work. Thank you again," and he bowed as he strode off, my hand automatically going to my chest as I watched his retreating back. As he reached the end of the aisle, someone stepped in to join him and I was relieved that security was there to keep him safe.

Walking back to where I'd abandoned the cans I'd been holding, my heart was still beating quickly. It had been such an unexpected encounter and I was trying to cement every word into my memory so I could relive it over and over. I had friends I wanted to tell too but I wasn't allowed to text while working so that would have to wait. And it was better they didn't know just yet. Even though he'd be gone by the time they arrived, I didn't want word to get out. As ARMY, we needed to protect our boys.

Perching on the ladder, I adjusted my headphones back into place, their voices calming me. Jin was every single one of the claims to his looks. World wide handsome, beautiful, striking and his voice had been gentle. He wasn't my bias but he could definitely swoop in and wreck me and today he had.

The night moved in a daze and I had no idea how many minutes or hours went past as I went about the mundane jobs I had to do, lost in my thoughts. Through the music, I heard my name come over the pager.

"Marley, please come to the service desk," was the announcement and I sighed. Whatever job they had for me next, I hoped I could do it after I had my break as I just wanted to sit quietly for a few minutes and remember.

As I walked over, the night service desk person handed me an envelope. "This was delivered for you I think," and I took it out of her hand, puzzled. As I read the front, my breathing stopped.

"To the woman who helped me with kimchi, please enjoy. Jin."

"How did you know it was for me," I asked, breathless.

"A man came in, he looked kind of solemn actually, and he described you, saying it was important you received the envelope today."

"Was he quite tall," I asked, catching my breath, thinking Jin wasn't very solemn looking.

"No actually, he wasn't much taller than you and solid, like he worked out."

"Like he could take someone down if he needed to," I commented, turning the envelope over in my hand, thinking maybe security had come by.

"I guess so although that's a strange conclusion to jump to. Is it for you though, do you know this Jin person?"

I laughed. "Yes, I know Jin," thinking how much I knew about him even though he didn't even know my name. "Can I take my break now so I can go open this."

"Yes, I suppose so," replied my super helpful superior and she turned away back to whatever riveting job held her attention next, dismissing me to which I took the opportunity and quickly walked away.

Clutching the envelope tightly in my hand, I went into the staff room, empty at this time of night and I was grateful for the solitude as I slid into a chair and put the envelope on the table in front of me. With shaking hands, I slid the flap open pulling out some more papers.

"All ARMY deserve to celebrate with us. Your Bangtan" attached to 2 tickets to their concert tomorrow night. I shrieked, fanning myself with his note, wondering if it was in his handwriting. He had sent security back to deliver these to me just because I showed him where the kimchi was? Not only was I wrecked but he may have double biased me in one simple move and I had never been happier to share him with Tae. But I was working tomorrow night? There was no way I was missing this, I'd quit if I couldn't swap with someone.

Holding the tickets to my chest, I picked up my phone, calling the friend who'd want to come with me, ARMY and a Jimin bias through and through.

"Jess," I squealed when she answered, "what are you doing tomorrow night?"

"Probably shaving my legs and doing a pedicure, why," she asked, not in the least bothered by my loud voice and late night call.

"Would you maybe, just maybe, possibly, rather, go to BTS with me instead?"

"Oh ha ha, you know those tickets sold out months ago."

"What about if I said I was holding two tickets right now."

There was silence at the end of the phone and then a scuffle as she dropped the phone, picking it up again with an apology. "Sorry, sorry, phone drop, are you serious?"

"Yes and just wait, there's more," preparing for her to drop her phone again when she heard how I got the tickets.

"You know how we talk about what they'd be like in person. Well, I can tell you that Jin smells like the ocean."

"Eeewwww I know he likes fishing but I hate fish."

"He doesn't smell like fish! He smells like a light breeze across the water as it caresses your face," I sighed out, in a dream.

"Ok, that's weirdly specific. Oh and wait, what? How would you know that?"

"Well, let me tell you a story and hold your phone tightly so you don't drop it again, you'll need it tomorrow," I said with a laugh as I leaned back in my chair, staring at the words written in his beautiful handwriting as I prepared to make her day.