Unique Friend

~1~

~1~

As she drags herself up the last creaky wooden flight of stairs to her third-floor apartment, Karina lets out an audible sigh of relief. Today had been a century long, or so it had felt; early morning lectures, cranky professors, tons of assignments given, a double shift at the cafe, topped off by a walk home in the pouring rain. I've never been so glad to see this place she thinks to herself as she fights with the key in the antique lock.

Relief vanishes, however, as soon as she opens the door and steps inside, bumping her shins on something in the darkness.

"What the hell?" she mutters aloud as she flicks on the small lamp on the table just inside the door. In the pool of warm light, Karina finds a pile of boxes full of random junk. On the top of the pile is a hastily-written note:

Hey Karina,

Can you believe it!? I finally took the plunge and moved in with Chad! I know we haven't been dating all that long, but I figure it just makes sense since I'm there all the time anyway.

So, now you have the place all to yourself! I even paid my share of the rent all the way til the end of this month, so you don't even have to worry about it!

I left a few things I wasn't able to take with me, since it couldn't all fit in Chad's Mustang, so feel free to go through it and keep whatever you like. Just donate the rest or something.

Okay, gotta run, Chad's honking the horn...see ya around!

~Brit~

Karina stands in stunned silence, staring at the note in her hand, her insides gone cold. She could not believe what she had just read. She and Brittney had never really been close friends, but they had gotten along well enough as roommates the last two and a half years. She is a bit hurt that Brittney would tell her in a note that she is moving out, rather than in person. And pissed, she is definitely pissed.

But mostly, Karina is terrified.

She in no way is able to afford the rent on her own, working part time at the cafe around her class schedule, and with the semester half over, the chances of finding a new roommate are slim to none. Frustrated, Karina kicks the boxes aside and shuts the door, turning the lock out of habit, before she slides down to the floor and drops her head into her hands.

~~~~~~~~

"Grande Americano," Namjoon calls, a bit more sternly than usual, snapping Karina from her brooding thoughts. She has been very distracted all morning, and her boss has obviously noticed. As soon as she had completed the order and handed it off to the waiting customer, he broached the subject.

"Karina, what's up with you today? You're not your usual self at all," he asks in a patronly tone. Though not very much older than she, Namjoon had taken on somewhat of a big brother role toward Karina since she started working for him a year and a half ago, though he always has to do so discreetly; Karina is stubbornly independent. Still, as a college student in an unfamiliar city with no family close by, she had occasionally come to him for advice.

She sighs with a shrug, "Sorry Joonie. I guess I'm just distracted today,"

Knowing she would not give up personal information without being coaxed, he presses on "Yes, I can see that. Wanna tell me what's going on? Can I help?"

While she always appreciates his help and advice, Karina is hesitant to unload her personal problems onto her boss. However, she realizes that he may be able to help in some way, perhaps offering her a few extra shifts if she can squeeze them in between classes.

"Actually...," she begins reluctantly, "maybe you can. Is there any room in the schedule for me to pick up a few extra shifts?"

Namjoon raises his eyebrows in surprise at this. "Seriously? With your class schedule and the hours you already put in here? Karina, what's going on?"

Seeing his worried expression, Karina realizes she needs to fill him in, otherwise he will worry nonstop, assuming the worst.

"My roommate ditched me," she says in a huff. She knows she doesn't need to fill in any more details; Namjoon is familiar enough with her situation to realize the kind of trouble she is in.

"Ah, shit. That blows, Karina," he replies in a sympathetic tone.

They are unable to say any more, as the Saturday afternoon rush starts. The next couple of hours go by in a blur, keeping Karina from any more brooding, although the worry never leaves her mind fully. She figures between what she has saved, and by picking up an extra shift here and there she should be ok to handle the rent for next month on her own, but that's it. So, she has about six weeks to find a roommate -or win the lottery.

She is in the back, loading the dishwasher after the rush, when Namjoon approaches her.

"Well, that was a steady afternoon," he begins, "but not quite so good as when we hosted the art events, I think. I'll have to get working on planning another."

"Yes, I've had a few of the regulars asking when the next one will be," she replies. "I always tell them you're working on it, so you'd best get to it!"

He laughs at her teasing. "Hey, I thought I was the boss here," he teases back good-naturedly. "Actually, on that note, I've been thinking. You're due for a review soon, and since you are my best employee, I had planned on giving you a raise,"

"Joonie, no!" Karina blurts, but he holds up a hand, forestalling her protests.

"Karina. Yes. I'm being honest. You are my best worker; you're always on time, you are loved by all the customers, you can handle everything on your own. We had planned on giving you a raise, admittedly a small one, but I want to start it for you early, given the news you shared with me today." When he sees her frown at this, he presses on before she can say anything, "It's not pity or charity, Karina. Taking care of a good employee is smart business." he says with finality.

She crosses her arms over her chest and scowls up at him. "Well, thanks, I guess, when you put it that way. But I don't want anyone else to know, and you're not allowed to help any more than that."

"You're welcome," he says with a chuckle and a flash of his deep dimples turning from her as the sound of the bell over the door tinkles, announcing more customers.