jake
i decided to take a paid leave, since i thought about going to the café next door. the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the chatter of customers and the clinking of cups.
as i walked in, i looked around and was surprised to see jungwon behind the counter, working diligently. we got to meet during soccer tryouts. it was just so funny, he looked so cute wearing his shorts and knee socks. people kept calling us cute, not knowing that we were both threats!
i walked up to the counter, giving jungwon a nod. "hi, jungwon."
jungwon looked up and grinned. "hey, jake. what brings you here?"
"just hoping to grab a latté and maybe a chat if you're not too busy?" i asked, glancing around for a free table.
jungwon nodded, motioning for me to sit at one of the tables. "i can take a break. let me just finish this one up."
as he wrapped up his task, i settled into a chair, trying to organize my thoughts. when jungwon joined me, i felt a bit more at ease.
"so, how's everything going?" he asked, taking a bite of his egg and cheese bagel sandwich.
"it's been ... interesting," i said, a slight smile playing on my lips. "oh- i had a bit of an unexpected encounter with yoonji the other day."
"oh?" jungwon raised an eyebrow. "do tell."
i leaned back in my chair, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "well, i think there's something special happening between us. i mean- i couldn't get past everything that happened the day we went on a car ride and just ... got to know each other. but maybe it's too early for me to say that? could this just be some infatuation or??"
he nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "if it feels right, go for what your inner self's telling you dude. life's too short to overthink everything."
i chuckled. "yeah, you're probably right. it's just ... i've never felt like this before. i have been needing to see her, just because—"
jungwon's expression softened, and he looked a bit distant, as if recalling a memory. "i know the feeling. there's someone i care about a lot, too. she's makes my heart race every time she's around. but it's complicated; i'm scared to mess things up between us."
"oooo, who is she?" i asked, leaning forward with interest.
jungwon shook his head, smiling wistfully. "can't say. but as much as i want to tell her how i've been feeling, i don't want to ruin what we have."
i nodded, understanding. "sounds like you should take your own advice then. listen to your heart."
he laughed softly. "yeah but it's easier said than done, though."
our conversation drifted to other topics, but i couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for jungwon's sincerity and vulnerability.
it was a rare moment between friends, opening up about our feelings and fears, and it made me think about the complexities of relationships and the courage it takes to follow your heart.
as we continued talking, jungwon returned to his work, and i felt a renewed sense of purpose.
as jungwon went back to work, i lingered at the table, sipping my coffee and replaying our conversation in my mind. it felt good to open up, and jungwon's advice had given me a lot to think about.
as i was lost in thought, the door to the café opened, and yoonji walked in with ken. they were chatting animatedly, books in hand, possibly here to study.
