cursed⭐︎ᵐⁱⁿˢᵘⁿᵍ

eight

Finally!

It was now three in the afternoon and I had finished the first day of school. I skipped lunch because I couldn't find the canteen but I found the rooftop, where I spent my time.

The view from there was mesmerizing.

Despite my fear of heights, watching the world from afar reduced my anger and at the same time it decreased my stress levels.

In other words, It calmed me down.

Although seeing people walk so freely without a care in the world gave me a feeling of jealousy, it inspired me.

School was now over, for today. I didn't have anything planned out. Maybe I should go on a walk, I thought.

Checking my phone, a notification popped up.

Mrs. Chaeyoung

Hello, Jisung! Your shift starts
at 5pm today, will you be able
to make it?
[received 3:02 pm]

yes, thank you.
[read 3:02 pm]

Gosh, I'm so tired already.

I put the phone in my pocket, walking away from the school. As I was lazily moving my legs, I spotted a nice park nearby. Not as nice as the one I usually went to—but it was pretty enough.

There weren't many people in the said place, which kind of relieved me.

I walked to the back of the park and sat down on a bench, thinking about nothing but at the same time, too many things. I wanted to run away so I couldn't face my problems.

My mind overthought too much, now I was getting overwhelmed.

"I don't understand.." I mumbled out loud, not realizing it. I didn't realize there was a person sitting next to me either.

When did they come here?

"What don't you understand?" the sudden voice startled me.

I looked at the person who was now sitting right beside me, a bit dumbfounded at the fact that he was here. Out of all people, why did it have to be him, again and again?

"It doesn't matter." right, I don't matter. Why would he care?

"If you say so." Minho mumbled.

After some painfully awkward minutes, I took my phone out, remembering that I had to talk with the workers at the adoption centre.

I opened the Gmail app and moved my fingers quickly on the screen, typing a message.

To seouladoptioncentre@gmail.com,
Hello, I saw that announcement about a bichon frise and I'm interested, I would like more details.

I pressed 'send', realizing it didn't sound right. I mentally cursed myself and put my phone down, maybe a bit too hard since it caught Minho's attention.

"Who pissed in your cereal this morning?" the brunette questioned, probably annoyed because of my sudden burst.

"My dog."

"Didn't know you had a dog." how and why would he even know? We only spoke a very few times.

"Right, I don't."

The boy looked at me, now probably confused.

An uncomfortable atmosphere could be felt, none of us spoke up. I was already pretty shit at getting to know people since I never really had someone to go out with. 

I sighed, unable to keep this silence ongoing. "Sorry for my prior behaviour, I didn't mean to act so rudely."

"It's fine, really. It wasn't my business anyway. Want to get to know each other more? We could become friends. I think you and I are relatively compatible." Minho assured and I, somehow, agreed.

"So, you work at the café?"

"Yeah. It's not big but I guess it's enough for me."

"I get you. I'm a dancer and choreographer."

"That's so nice! Teach me how to dance one day, please." I requested.

"Sure."

"I'm also a father of three cats."

His words took me off guard— it was so random. I didn't expect him to say anything like that; especially in a moment of quietness. It was somehow amusing.

"That's amazing. What are their names?" I asked, chuckling to myself.

His eyes lit up when the question passed my lips. "Soonie Doongie and Dori. They're my babies."

It seemed like he really loves them..

I told him about my plan of getting a dog too. He wished me good luck since being a canine owner was harder than being a feline owner.

We talked more about our lives, not getting too deep into the discussion. It was really nice to talk to someone and I enjoyed the time we spent together; almost two hours.

"Minho, as much as I'd like to keep chatting with you I have to go work now."

"I'm actually craving something so I'll come with you." He said and we both stood up to walk in the same direction.

We quickly arrived at 4:49 which meant I had ten to eleven more minutes to get ready and start my shift.

Chaeyoung greeted me and Minho then went to her office which was somewhere upstairs. I knew that because she led me into that room for my interview.

I got ready and served Minho. He asked for mango-flavoured ice cream with some chocolate topping. Weird combination.

After he finished his snack he left, waving me goodbye.

Few more hours, you can do it. I thought, encouraging myself.