radiant | jung hoseok | ✓

chapter six | anatolia café

"Did you hear about the cow?" I overhear a conversation as I approach the front doors of Bangtan Chicken and Brewery. I can't help but frown at the randomness of the statement and glance in the direction of the conversations.

Two older women walk down the sidewalk with plastic boxes in hand for leftovers. One woman nods quickly, "Yes, it was so strange... the cow was just out there."

"It shouldn't have been there, I mean, a cow in the trainyard?" the other woman giggles, shaking her head in disbelief. "Avery should keep a better eye on his cows."

I smirk to myself when I reach the door. If a wandering cow is able to constitute a big drama, then this town is truly the one for me.

Then I turn my gaze back to the front doors of the restaurant. There is a nervous flutter inside of my chest as I draw closer to the doors. I swallow hard and remind myself that I will do great. I won't mess this up.

I have decided to check out Bangtan Chicken and Brewery and talk with Namjoon about the job.

After thinking it over, I've come to realize that my apprehensiveness about the waitress job is silly. It's just as Mom said, life changes all the time and I have to keep moving forward. It might be difficult for me to deviate from my norm but that's just life.

It's seven o'clock meaning the brunt of the dinner rush hour should be ending. I wanted to come on Saturday during lunch, or even come next week at a more convenient time but Namjoon's persistence and reassurance convinced me otherwise.

He came into the cafe today and asked me again if I was interested in the waitress job. After my talk with my mom, I felt more open about looking for different jobs. I agreed to meet tonight around seven o'clock and here I am.

I decided to dress nice enough for an interview, hoping to impress them and earn the job. I chose to wear a soft dark gray cardigan to go over my white shirt and skinny black pants. I spent extra time on my makeup as well to complete the look. I used the cat-eye technique to frame my eyes and specifically draw attention to them.

Makeup is used to bring out certain qualities and draw focus onto part of your face. I typically use one focal point when I wear makeup and tonight, it will be my eyes. I didn't bother putting on colored lipstick because I will most likely eat dinner here and I didn't want to smudge it.

Physically, I appear ready for this but mentally, I am still reeling from the recent changes in my life.

Regardless, I have to do this. I just need to jump in and hope I land on my feet.

I open the front doors and I find myself immersed in the atmosphere of the restaurant. I step into a world I underestimated from my window view of Hallowed Grounds. There is a reason why they became so popular, seemingly overnight.

It is larger than expected yet packed to the brim with hungry and satisfied people. Most of which came in large parties ending with tables pushed together and mismatched chairs they stole from other areas. The tables are made of polished dark wood like Hallowed Grounds but are covered with a plastic covering to make it easier to clean. Though it's hard to see it under the mountain of plates and silver trays of food.

The scent of fried chicken and hot, gooey cheese on fresh pizzas is dizzying and causes my stomach to growl immediately. I can already feel the crunch of the fried layering under my teeth and taste the spicy sauce on my tongue.

The restaurant is decorated with darker tones and dark wood like Hallowed Grounds but it has an entirely different feel. The walls are covered with various pictures and posters of famous bands and rappers over the years. There are a few flat-screen TVs set strategically around the room giving the guests a clear sight of them to watch what appears to be a basketball game. The lights are hidden behind the curves in the ceiling, shifting from low red to golden yellow over time in a soothing pattern.