AFTER SCHOOL [yeonbin fanfic]

Chapter-15

I followed Mr. Kim to his table where he offered a chair and asked me to sit down. Before he could scold me, I began rambling, hoping to get out of the situation.

"Mr. Kim i-i am really s-sorry. I didn't mean t-to skip c-classes like this. I had a si-situation going on. P-please I'm sorry."

He looked at me for a second before getting up and walking towards the water dispenser. He filled a cup with cold water and handed it to me.

"Drink some water and relax Yeonjun. I'm not going to scold you"

With trembling hands I brought the cup to my lips, the cool liquid calming my body.
After a minute or two, Mr. Kim spoke up.

"Are you okay?"

I didn't say anything, rather just stared at the ground.

"Yeonjun you don't have to tell me everything okay? I just want to know if you are okay"

"I'm fine"

"I doubt that. Listen to me now"

My eyes traveled from the ground to his face and then his eyes. I could see Mr. Kim was concerned for me.

"I'm sorry sir"

"Don't apologize. I know you are a good kid and that's why I want to help you"

"Help me?"

"Yes but before that, you will have to tell me what's going on. Please trust me"

It's not like I don't trust Mr. Kim. He has been my science teacher for almost 3 years now. I trust him but I was still hesitating. I was scared that he might judge me or that he would think lowly of me. I didn't say anything for a minute and felt his hands on my shoulder.

"Take your time and if you are still not comfortable, I won't force you"

I had to tell someone. With a deep breath, I began.

(This happened after ch.8)

After my parents left, I picked myself up from the ground and decided to go for a job-hunting spree. There were some places I had in mind which weren't very child friendly but paid pretty well. Enough for me to pay my rent.
The first stop was the local bar. Working as a barista doesn't equal being a bartender but I had some idea about how drinks are made. How different can it be from preparing a latte?

"Hi, my name is Choi Yeonjun," I said, approaching the man behind the bar, counting money. I had a hunch that he was either the manager or the owner.

"We are not open yet. Besides, how did you enter? How old are you?"

"I'm not here for a drink. I'm here to ask for a part-time job"

The man who looked to be in his late 30s scanned me from my head to the toes.

"You are good-looking, kid. But I'm sorry we don't need any more workers here. Business is kinda slow you know"

"I really needed a job" I mumbled, looking down.

"Sorry kid."

"No, it's okay. Thank you for your time" I bowed and left the bar, feeling dejected.

.
The next stop was a factory. A food factory. The last time I was here was 2 years back. I worked for just one day before my dad received his paycheck and paid for my expenses. It wasn't a really good experience considering the amount of work they give you to complete.

I stood in front of the huge building, took a deep breath, and went in. I approached the person sitting behind the counter, "Hello, I came here for a part-time job"