"So what is dating? Dating is a muscle. Being torn down, as well as feeling pain is necessary for building muscle. In fact, that's how we get stronger." – Seo Yun Taek(Doona!)
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The morning sun had just started to peek over the horizon, casting a soft, golden light through the large windows of the restaurant. I moved through the dining area, setting up tables like I had done a hundred times before. The familiar scent of coffee, bacon, and pancakes filled the air, but my mind was elsewhere.
I barely slept last night. I couldn't stop thinking about Eunchae, playing out every possible scenario of asking her out. I must have rehearsed what I'd say at least a dozen times, but the more I practiced, the more my nerves took over. Just ask her out, I kept telling myself. But what if she said no? Or worse, what if she said yes but only as a friend? The thought alone made my stomach twist.
The sound of the front door opening snapped me back to reality. I looked up and saw Eunchae walking in, her face lighting up the moment she spotted me. She was dressed casually—a white t-shirt and jeans, her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. Even in something so simple, she looked effortlessly beautiful.
"Morning, Y/N!" she greeted me with her usual bright smile.
"Morning, Eunchae," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, but it wavered just a little. My heart skipped a beat as I watched her make her way to her usual spot by the window. Get it together, I scolded myself.
She settled into her seat, pulling out her phone. She seemed so relaxed, so at ease, while I felt like I was about to run a marathon. I needed to ask her now before I lost my nerve again. I grabbed a menu, more as an excuse to approach her table than anything else. My palms were already starting to sweat, so I wiped them on my apron, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"Here's the menu," I said, my voice trembling slightly as I handed it to her, even though she always ordered the same thing.
"Thanks, but I think I'll just have the usual," Eunchae replied with a smile, looking up at me.
"Right, of course," I stammered. I stood there awkwardly for a moment, trying to remember what I'd planned to say. Now's the time, I told myself. Just ask her out.
"So, uh... I was thinking..." I began, but my throat suddenly felt dry. I swallowed hard, trying to push the words out, but they got stuck halfway. "I was wondering if maybe..."
Before I could finish, my grandma's voice rang out from the kitchen. "Y/N! We need more eggs! Go grab some from the storage room!"
I flinched, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. I hadn't realized how loud my grandma's voice could be until now. "Uh, right! I'll be back in a second!" I said hastily, retreating from Eunchae's table before she could ask what I was trying to say.
As I hurried to the storage room, I mentally kicked myself. What was that? I'd completely choked. The words had been right there, but I froze at the last second. Now, I was back to square one, and I wasn't sure if I'd get another chance.
Inside the storage room, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I grabbed the eggs, but instead of heading back to the kitchen right away, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady myself. I couldn't believe how difficult this was turning out to be. It was just a simple question—"Do you want to go out sometime?"—but it felt like the most monumental task I'd ever faced.
When I returned to the dining area, I saw Eunchae still sitting at her table, her attention now focused on her breakfast. I wondered if she had noticed how nervous I'd been, how awkwardly I'd stumbled over my words. Probably, I thought, feeling another wave of embarrassment wash over me.
YOU ARE READING
Shore To Be || Hong Eunchae
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