My second day had been as chaotic as my first.
I kept trying to avoid meeting or coming in contact with anyone from Yeonjun's group today. Even though I was sure he didn't say anyone about our encounter in that supply closet, it didn't guarantee he wouldn't.
So it was better that I stayed away from him and his group of friends.
It was only partially a success because I had physics with Taehyun and the only seats vacant were beside him and the one in front of him.
I didn't know which was worse but I still took the seat in front of him, my partner an uptight bitch who didn't even look at me for the entire duration of the lecture.
Also when I was walking down the hallways for lunch, I saw Yeonjun coming out of a class and I kid you not, did a 180 turn and walked the other way.
These two were the only ones I saw today but I didn't have any interaction or disastrous scene with them so that was a plus and I was going to take that as a win.
With enough practice, I am sure that I would master the art of not coming in contact with them, or any other student with a leather jacket, for that matter.
I put aside the empty cups and plate on my tray and check my phone to see San's name flash with a message.
I barely got to see San today as we kept missing each other due to the clash of our class schedules.
He did however manage to introduce me to his friends and I was thankful for that because I ate my lunch with them even when San had to leave early for his practice.
Our table was at a corner and today nobody really paid much attention to me. This at least helped my anxiety.
I did however search around to see whether Yeonjun or his friends were anywhere to be seen and found them seated at the heart of the cafeteria.
All five of them were in their leather jackets. Bahiyiyyih was there along with two other females. One was the same girl from Hive, the one who poured her drink on Yeonjun.
She was seated next to him.
I was too far to notice his expression or even understand what was going on at that table but I was glad at least they worked it out.
I guess.
I tried to ask San's friends about the whole leather jacket situation, continuously missing the chance to ask San about it but it was a taboo topic to discuss.
They just dismissed it saying it was better I didn't get involved with them and kept calling them Royals.
Saehi whispered that she'll tell me about it afterward.
I wanted to press the matter now but I didn't know them enough to ask them anymore.
Other than the whole leather jacket situation they were all friendly and made me feel really included in their group.
Wooyoung was the funniest. He kept making me laugh.
He has a weird sense of humor but I found myself laughing hysterically at his jokes even when San, Saehi, and Hongjoong looked questionably at me.
Saehi was really pretty and she was very helpful, letting me know about the whereabouts around the school.
She even added me to their group chat which had been blowing up ever since school ended a couple of hours ago.
It was late and only a few customers were there.
I wiped another table, making sure nothing was left behind from the customers that were here a few minutes ago before going back to my desk.
Saehi asked me if I wanted to hang out with them after school but I declined to say I had some work to do and I'll definitely join them next time.
I didn't want to admit to her that I had two jobs to do after school.
She seemed very kind and she was really helpful and I am by no means ashamed of what I do. If anything I am proud that I worked hard enough to support myself.
But with all that said, I still didn't want to feel small in front of them.
I remember a few lines from Norwegian Woods where a character discusses how a rich girl can say she doesn't have money but the same said by a poor girl holds a different meaning.
It was something like that.
I comb the stray hair off my face with my hand and try to stay awake with a practiced smile on my face till my shift ends.
Even though I had a pretty large lunch, I went to tutor the student straight after school because I didn't have time to change but it worked out in my favor because the mother was extremely elated and even agreed to the hike I asked for continuing to tutor her child.
I was sure she was going to boast to her friends that a girl from Royals High was her child's tutor.
I didn't care about that.
She could say whatever she wanted as long as she paid me well enough that I didn't have to go back to the chicken delivery job.
I still had a week there and just thinking that tomorrow I'll have to go to the fried chicken shop after school makes me groan.
"Welcome," I say with a smile back on my face when I hear the ding of the bell.
I feel the voices inside the room die down instantly.
The last time that happened Yeonjun was here.
I shoot my head up from my register to not one, not two, but three of the people I have been trying to avoid since the morning.
Shit.
Why were they here?
"Yuri!" Beomgyu exclaimed with a bright smile on his face whereas I was trying my level best not to show that I was anything but happy.
"You work here? Wow, I didn't know" he says thoughtfully.
"Well you've only known me for a day so..." I trail off.
I shouldn't have said that maybe because I feel Kai and Taehyun's gazes sharpen instantly at my statement.
I am not sure what was wrong with what I said.
All three were still in their uniform but they looked disheveled. Many strands of hair went stray and their shirts were creased and tugged out.
If I looked closely enough, I think there might be a bruise forming on Taehyun's right cheek.
What did they get themselves into?
"Hmm, true. We should hang out more. I didn't see you at school either" he folds his hands in front of me and enquires with a confused look on his face.
He didn't look like he had any hurry in ordering and the stares were becoming less and less discrete, the more he stood here talking to me the other students here knew he wasn't taking his time deciding his order but talking about something else.
"Would you like to order?" I ask him instead of answering his question.
"No, we'll go-"
"Yes, we'd like three of your best milkshake with extra whipped cream on mine cause I know I am your favorite" Beomgyu cuts of Taehyun.
Taehyun scowls with loath coving his expression.
"He's not here so we should go" Kai speaks, his expression serious.
If mistaken, I would have said he is worried.
Beomgyu considers his words for a moment and I have never seen Beomgyu this serious. He looks at both Taehyun and Kai before looking at me.
"What should we do Yuri, you tell me" Beomgyu''s otherwise lively face looks a little tired.
"I have no idea what you're talking about but whatever's going on, I hope it sorts itself out" I had no idea what I was saying.
This was a shit piece of advice but I did not know what was going on and prying was not something that would be done.
"I hope so too" Beomgyu sighs and I pass him a tight-lipped smile.
"We'll have a milkshake" he hands his card and then wraps his arm around both the men's shoulders.
"If there's anywhere he would go right now, it would probably be here, so let's wait for a little" whatever Beomgyu said did the trick.
Both Taehyun and Kai both passed a meaningful look to each other and then wordlessly followed Beomgyu to an empty booth.
I went back to making the best milkshake Hive had to offer.