Him.

trance

There is a lot of awkward tension between me and Elise.

I'm not really in the mood to talk right now, I just want to get this done, but Elise doesn't get the hint.

I'm trying to keep my calm but she keeps starting pointless conversations and I keep shutting it out.

So much for close friends.

At one point, when I'm rolling the rice into the seaweed, I break.

"Hey, Elise?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm kind of in a bad mood, so can we just be quiet."

I didn't mean to say it in a mean way, but it must've come out like that because Elise's lip quivers.

I can clearly tell that being quiet isn't in her nature.

The sushi making goes on and on, and the checkered counter is surrounded by dozens of people shouting for their orders.

Nina hadn't organized this place very well - so instead of a line there was a contest of who can shout the loudest.

Elise, of course, seems unbothered. She laughs at a customer's joke and bites her lips while she scribbles on a notepad.

I can't help but be jealous.

If only I was as easy going as her.

But I'm not.

I mean, Elise is beautiful.

Gorgeous.

Model material.

And . . . I'm not.

I sigh.

The peppers won't cut themselves.

Elise calls out, "2 Sushi with pepper, rice, and crab for Riya!"

I've barely finished the first one but immediately move on to this one.

The crab meat is mouthwatering, even though it's ready made.

The shiny red coating and juicy meat inside makes it look picture-perfect.

I chop off a bit for myself and feel a sweat soak my back, even though the store is well air-conditioned.

I bet I smell great right now.

And that's when I see him.

Sitting alone at a table, smiling at his phone, is Jaerin.

His blond hair is falling in waves over his shoulders. My cheeks heat up as I remember our past interactions.

Pretty.

For whatever reason, he isn't taking part in the contest the other customers are in, so I assume that he's just here for some alone time.

Maybe some peace and quiet, but he should know by now that that's certainly not going to happen.

I try to catch his attention. I jam the knife a little too hard on the counter. I speak in a really loud voice to Elise. I take a huge gulp of air and let out the largest sigh ever existed.

Jaerin keeps staring at his phone.

I prepare my next antic and steal a glance at him to see him looking straight at me.

At me.

He catches me looking back and smiles in recognition, though I'm pretty sure it's fake.