high and low | s.c. + j.y. (jeongcheol)

25.

Seungcheol grabbed the batch of freshly-baked cookies out of the oven and inhaled deeply. He sighed in satisfaction and placed the tray of cookies on the counter before taking off his oven mitts. Seungcheol glanced at the clock on the wall anxiously. He frowned when he realized that his shift had only started fifteen minutes ago, meaning that he still had to work for about two more hours.

Usually, Seungcheol would enjoy his job at the café. The soft whirring noises of the coffee machines and the smell of pastries created a comfortable atmosphere, one that Seungcheol especially appreciated because of his affection for sweet delicacies. The only thing that he liked about ending his shift was the brownie that his boss, who knew of Seungcheol's love for sugar, would let Seungcheol take home.

However, on this particular day, Seungcheol couldn't wait to go home, and he tapped his fingers against his jeans impatiently as he walked to the cash register to man it. When Seungcheol and Jeonghan had been walking to school together that morning, Jeonghan had told Seungcheol that he had a surprise for him, but when Seungcheol asked what it was, Jeonghan had just said that he would tell him later. Seungcheol had been wondering what Jeonghan's surprise would be all day long.

"Hey, Seungcheol, did you hear? Apparently there's gonna be a new guy working here today. I wonder what he'll be like," Seungcheol's co-worker, a former senior from school, said, placing his elbow on the countertop and resting his chin on top of his palm curiously.

"A new guy? Really? How'd you find out?" Seungcheol asked. Kibum smirked.

"Jonghyun told me. He said that the guy's gonna start working today. He also said that the new guy is very good at icing cookies and making foam art in hot drinks!" Kibum replied. "He must be really artistic. I bet he's really hot too. Artsy guys are always hot."

"Guys who can sing are the hottest though," a new voice interjected, and Seungcheol recognized the voice as Jonghyun's almost immediately.

"You're right. No wonder you're not attractive. Hey, I wonder if the new guy can sing," Kibum teased. Jonghyun pouted.

"When I debut and become famous, I'm going to expose you for all of this bullying." Jonghyun huffed.

"You do that," Kibum responded in an amused tone.

"When's the new employee getting here?" Seungcheol asked, changing the subject.

"Soon, probably. I think he goes to your school, Seungcheol. Maybe you'll recognize him." Jonghyun grinned. Seungcheol hummed noncommittally. The three boys' attention was redirected to the door as a person walked in, causing the door to chime.

"Jeonghan? Do we have a tutoring thing today?" Seungcheol questioned, confused. "I must've forgotten. Um, well, my shift doesn't end until after a few more hours. Do you maybe wanna go home now and then come back later?"

"I'm not here for tutoring," Jeonghan said awkwardly. Seungcheol blushed in embarrassment.

"A-Ah, is that so? Sorry, I just assumed...I'm sorry," Seungcheol apologized, rubbing the back of his neck bashfully. Jeonghan shook his head.

"It's fine, don't worry. Um, can I speak to your boss though?" Jeonghan requested.

"I'm the assistant manager. How can I help?" Jonghyun spoke up.

"Ah, well I applied here a while ago for a job? And I was told that I was accepted and that I had to come in today, so..." Jeonghan answered. Seungcheol's eyes widened.

"Wait, you're the new employee?" Seungcheol gaped at Jeonghan. Jeonghan nodded.

"Oh, yes, I was told that you would be coming! It's very nice to meet you! Like I said before, I'm the assistant manager. My name's Kim Jonghyun. I usually help bake things, but you'll probably be doing that now. That's Kim Kibum, one of our baristas. I assume that you already know Seungcheol," Jonghyun explained. Jonghyun bowed slightly.

"Nice to meet you both," Jeonghan said politely.

"Hey, can you sing?" Kibum asked, smirking broadly.

"He can!" Seungcheol interrupted. His ears heated up even more as three pairs of eyes focused on him. "I mean, well, he–he won a singing contest once? I've heard him hum a bit too, and his voice while humming sounds really smooth."

"Is that true? You won a singing competition?" Jonghyun repeated.

"Ah, I didn't completely win! I just got third place," Jeonghan clarified.

"Still, you must be really good at singing then! Wow, that's so cool," Kibum complimented.

"Kim Kibum, I swear to God..." Jonghyun started, but Kibum stuck his tongue out at Jonghyun cheekily, before running around the counter and hiding behind Jeonghan.

"You little brat! Don't try to hide from me!"

"Love you, Jonghyun-ah!"

A/N: hope that this was okay? sorry for updating so late. tbh i kinda forgot i had to write and post a chapter lmao. anyways, i hope that all of you have had an amazing day! as always, tysm for the continued support! it means a lot to me! i love you guys! linked video is a video of jeonghan singing "view" by shinee. tell me what you thought of this chapter in a comment! see you guys next week! bye!