The Ghost of You | Seongjoong

~ I ~

Chapter One
-The Ring-
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Hongjoong woke up with a jolt, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized he had overslept—again. The harsh glare of his alarm clock showed that it was already 8:30 am, and his first class started at 9:00 am He cursed under his breath as he scrambled out of bed, his mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead.

He hastily threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, not bothering to shower or even comb his hair. Grabbing his bag and keys, he rushed out the door, his stomach churning with anxiety. He cursed his luck, knowing that his professor wouldn't be pleased with his tardiness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he stumbled into class, breathless and disheveled. The professor gave him a disapproving look, and Hongjoong could feel the eyes of his classmates boring into him as he slunk into his seat. He tried to focus on the lecture, but his mind kept wandering to the pile of assignments he had yet to complete.

After his morning classes, Hongjoong found himself rushing through the crowded campus to get to his part-time job at the café. The autumn air was crisp, and the leaves crunched underfoot as he hurried along the familiar path. The golden hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the buildings and trees, creating a picturesque scene that Hongjoong barely noticed in his haste.

As he entered the café, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries filled his senses. The café was bustling with activity, the low hum of conversation blending with the clinking of cups and the whir of the espresso machine. His boss, Mrs. Kim, a no-nonsense woman with graying hair and furrowed eyebrows, greeted him with a stern look.

"Late again, Hongjoong?" she said, looking him up and down. "That's the third time this month."

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Kim," Hongjoong replied, his voice breathless. "I overslept this morning."

Mrs. Kim's expression softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again," she said before turning back to the counter, where a line of impatient customers waited.

Hongjoong nodded and quickly tied his apron, slipping behind the counter to join the bustling team. The café was packed, with every table occupied by students hunched over laptops, friends catching up, and regulars sipping their usual orders. The afternoon light streamed through the large windows, casting a warm, inviting glow over the space.

He moved swiftly, taking orders with a practiced efficiency. "One caramel macchiato, two blueberry muffins," he called out to the barista, who nodded and got to work. He delivered a tray of lattes to a group of students, carefully balancing the cups and offering a polite smile.

"Here you go, enjoy," he said, placing the tray on their table. They barely looked up, engrossed in their discussion about an upcoming exam.

As he hurried back to the counter, an elderly woman flagged him down. "Excuse me, young man," she said, her voice soft but clear. "Could I get another pot of tea, please?"

"Of course, ma'am," Hongjoong replied, taking her empty teapot and promising to return shortly.

The hours flew by in a blur of orders and transactions. Despite his best efforts, he made a few mistakes—accidentally giving a customer a regular coffee instead of decaf, misplacing a croissant order. Each time, Mrs. Kim's sharp gaze found him, and he felt the weight of her disapproval.

"Pay more attention, Hongjoong," she said sternly after one such mistake. "We can't afford to have errors during peak hours."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Kim," he replied, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "It won't happen again."