"So this is me" I shrug and stand awkwardly in front of Yeonjun.
He nods as he looks at the shop and the sign. He is not judging. He is observing. His eyes roam behind me, studying everything about the sign to the dim lights inside and the few customers still left to come out.
"This is a noodle shop" he states, confused.
"Yeah. My parents own it. We live in the apartment above" I say pointing at the window where you can see the light. My brother is probably inside the apartment, doing anything but studying.
"Hmm. Can I ask you something, if you don't mind?" he is still seated on the motorcycle. I nod, encouraging him to speak.
Ever since the phone call, things have been awkward between us. We did not speak the entire ride here sans me giving him directions to my place.
I don't even want to think what would have happened if Yeonjun did not get a call. I don't want to go there at all.
But it couldn't have just been me who was in that moment, right?
He leaned in too. There must have been something that he felt as well.
Would we have kissed, had it not been the call? Would he have pulled away anyway, coming to his senses? Would he have pulled me back if I had pulled away?
Would he...
Or was it all in my head and I was trying to come up with mindless explanations to justify what I felt at that time?
What did I feel?
Did his heart beat as fast as mine did? Did he also get butterflies? Was he obsessively thinking about it like I was?
Did he want to talk about that right now? What would he ask? What if it was something I did not have an answer to?
I could barely understand what was going on between us. I don't think I am in a position to answer if he asks me any questions regarding this.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, bringing myself out of my head. I can dwell on it later when I am not around Yeonjun. I did not have to go into a monologue inside my head about him when he was two feet away from me.
"Why do you work so many part-time jobs when you can work for your family?" I laugh at his question and he waits patiently with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I was not expecting this question" I am caught a little off guard at his question, given how I was mentally preparing myself to go through an interrogation regarding our almost kiss, maybe?
"Uh, well, I do help out at the shop. But I don't get paid here. I go through the other jobs so that I can earn money and save up a little on the way. Although Royals High is not cheap either so that requires money as well" I explain and he nods in thought.
"But aren't you on a scholarship?"
"Technically yes. My tuition is waived. But there are a lot of other things I need to pay for. The books, assignment notebooks, uniform, and more. And I cannot apply for a grant till I complete 1 year. I am only eligible for it if I keep my scores up, which I am hoping to do" I cross my fingers and he nods.
He seems to contemplate something. There is an awkward silence that befalls and I am sure, we're at the end of our journey for tonight so I decide to bid him goodbye.
"So, I am gonna head inside. See you at school" I turn around but he calls me back and I am ashamed at how quickly I turn to face him again. I pray my face is not alight with hope.
"Give me your number. So I can... call or text you in case of emergencies" he says sheepishly and hands me his phone.
"What emergencies?" I ask, even though I smile as I type my number into his cell and hand it back.
My phone rings in my pocket and I pull it out to see an unknown number flash on the screen.
"That's my number. Save it. And when are you going to change that brick of a phone? Does it still work?"
I chuckle at Yeonjun's teasing about my ancient phone. "Hey, don't knock the classics. This 'brick' has been through a lot and it's still kicking."
"You'll break someone's skull if you throw it at them"
"Good. No need for a taser then" I shrug and he shakes his head disapprovingly.
"Bye Yuri" he says, starting his motorcycle with a rumble and I wave goodbye till I cannot see him anymore.
I walk into the shop to see my mom and dad cleaning the tables and chairs, and packing up for the night.
"Where have you been? Why are you so late? Have you eaten? I kept noodles for you but now I am sure they are cold" my mother colds as soon as she sees me.
I smile at her. This is her way of caring and loving me.
"I would love some noodles. Did you and Dad eat?" I ask as I take a seat in the corner.
"Sit down. I'll bring out four bowls of noodles" my mother hurries inside the kitchen and my father wipes the last table before coming and sitting opposite to me.
"Four? Did Jisoo not eat either?" I ask but by then she is already in the kitchen.
"A part-timer joined tonight. Thank god. Your mother and I were in over our heads and the previous part-timer was never on time and did not do any work properly. But this one is nice. He is handsome as well. He will bring a lot of customers" my father says and I just stare at him.
"You hired a handsome boy to bring in more customers? Are we not doing good business?" I ask concerned. Maybe I should spend more time helping them.
"We can always do more business. That's not a concern of you. How was school today? Did you get your results? You've gotten thinner. Are you not eating well? Is it the stress of school getting to you?" he fires rapid questions in my direction.
I chuckle at my father's barrage of questions. "Whoa, slow down there, Dad. Let's tackle one question at a time."
He grins sheepishly, realizing he's gotten carried away. "Sorry, sorry. I just worry about you, that's all."
"I know, Dad. And I appreciate it," I assure him, reaching across the table to pat his hand. "But relax, everything's fine. School's going well, and yes. Got the result of mid-term. I aced it. And don't worry about me being thinner, I've just been busy with schoolwork and part-time jobs."
"This is why I have been asking you to not do two jobs while studying. You're not getting proper rest. This will affect your health" my mother tuts on her way to me.
"Here we go, four bowls of our specialty noodles." My mom emerges from the kitchen, balancing four steaming bowls of noodles on a tray.
As she sets the bowls down on the table, I glance over at my father with a smirk. "So Mom, Dad tell me you found a new part-timer. Handsome and will bring more customers?"
"Well, I wouldn't say he's the reason we hired him, but it certainly doesn't hurt. He seems like a hard worker, though." He chuckles, scratching his head.
"Yeah, he came into the store in the evening looking lost with wide doe eyes. I thought he was a customer but he wasn't ordering then when I asked him if he wanted to work, he said yes. We were already strapped with the customer so I put him to work" My mother shrugs and I nod.
"I told him to come and eat but he is still washing the dishes" She shakes her head disapprovingly.
"Soobinah! Come eat first. It is your first day. Don't overwork yourself" my mother yells.
"Yes Aunty, I am all done" I trun around at the familiar voice.
"Soobin?" I cannot mask the surprise in my voice or my face.
Soobin smiles brightly at me while wiping his hands on a rugedy apron and takes the seat net to me.
"Hi Yuri" he smiles with his dimples on display and thanks my parents for the meal.
What the hell was he doing here?
"Is he the new part-timer?" I ask and Soobin smiles sheepishly while my parents nod.
A/n: New update!!!
I am proud of myself that I could update so early. For all of you who missed Soobin - he is back!
What do you think of this chapter?
And how are you guys doing? What's up in all of your lives? Give me some tea.