Bittersweet✔ (taekook)

1

10:48 pm

Shit. Just shit.
I haven't studied anything yet. Finals are fast approaching and all I did for the past five hours is absentmindedly highlighting meaningless words. From time to time, my eyes would involuntarily close, causing my head to bump on the table.

Yawning for like the hundredth time already, I decided to stop. Being in college is hell. Studying hard and sleeping late. Skipping meals just to finish reports and thesis. I don't have a choice though. Not that my mom is pressuring me, but I want to see that proud glint in her eyes as I stand on stage holding my diploma.

I sighed as I grabbed my jacket from a chair and decided to chill for a bit. I locked the door of the apartment suddenly remembering that my roommate, Jimin, is working on his nightshift at my favorite cafe.

I leisurely walk to that cafe, just two blocks away from home, thinking about what coffee to order. I needed a strong one since I would probably stay up all night to finish three chapters. Good thing tomorrow's a weekend.

As I neared the place, Bittersweet Cafe, I smiled at the name, wondering if it describes something of the place or the coffees served. I entered the place and realized it was pretty jampacked. Since the cafe is near our university and dorms, many students come here to study, especially now that finals are near.

"One Americano please." I ordered, eyeing the cashier's nametag. Her name's Jisoo, probably new here.

"What's your name sir?" She shyly asked as she holds a pen, ready to write my name on the cup.

"Jungkookie!" Before I could answer, the owner of the cafe, Jin, greeted me. Probably on duty tonight because of too many customers.

"Hey hyung." I greeted back with a small smile and turned to the cashier once again, "yeah I'm Jungkook"

"Pretty stressed eh?" He asked as he helped prepare orders.

"More like depressed, hyung" I sighed. He just smiled a motherly one. And he surely acts like one.

"Well, just sit back and relax. I'll be preparing your coffee since Jimin is busy flirting around." And he rolls his eyes. I look back and finally saw that short guy also talking to a short guy at one of the tables. Jimin is all smiles and giggles while the other with a smug.

I turned back to Jin hyung, "Make it nice, hyung!"

"Of course. Anything for my Kookie." I just rolled my eyes and looked around for a seat.

I settled at the far corner of the cafe which is my favorite spot. Even though the cafe is quite full of people, its still quite peaceful. Most of their customers are students and the place is ideal for studying or just reading a book. With abstract paintings hanging on the wall and faint classical music playing at the background, it gives a relaxing ambiance to the place. And to add to that, the cafe is also open twenty four hours.

"Sir Jung-" "I'll get it!" Suddenly interrupting Jisoo, Jimin got hold of my coffee serving it to me.

"Here you go Jungkookie!" His eyes turning into crescents as he handed the coffee.

"Hey I can get it myself, no need to do that." I told him.

"You're welcome" I just chuckled at his response. "Yah! I just want to serve my friend his coffee you know."

"Anyway, thanks hyung." I said finally. Actually, Jimin hyung is my classmate. He's two years older than me, but he was forced to stop schooling when he was highschool due to lack of financial support from his parents. He needed to find a job to continue his studies, and so he ended up being a barista in this cafe. "Hyung, aren't you going to study?"

"Well in my case, work should be priority. I'll just study later on after shift." He smiled knowingly at me.

I just looked at him sadly. I know, that's hella tiring to do. Balancing job and studies. But then, Jimin being Jimin started nagging me about being antisocial and ships me with books to marry.

"You need to chill sometimes. You're already smart enough." He added. "Start to appreciate people around you. There are too many hot guys out there waiting for you to notice them." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yeah yeah whatever" I shrugged. The sad feeling felt towards him before is replaced by annoyance. He truly knows my interest to same sex.

"Are you even listening?"

Thankfully, Jin hyung called him. "Yah Jiminah! Maybe I could use some help here! Or do you want me to change all your schedules to night shifts?"

"Coming!" Jimin rushed to the counter bumping loudly to a table and earning glares from the students.

I just chuckled at his clumsiness and glanced down at my cup. Sleepiness had completely gone for awhile after inhaling the scent of the dark liquid. The smooth aroma calmed my nerves and after a few sips, it felt good.

Looking around the place again, I feel a bit sad. The customers here are mostly into groups or with their partners, be it lovers or study buddies. They sat there either softly discussing or just in their own comfortable silence. And I'm here sitting at a corner alone while thinking how to get a life. Maybe Jimin hyung is right.

It's not that I'm unfriendly, but students find me intimidating, at least that's what Jimin hyung heard. I don't walk to school all smiley and talkative. I'm not dumb but I'm no genius either, I just really care about my grades and diligent enough to finish school works early. Maybe I'm just a busy person.

The opening of the glass door, interrupted me from my thoughts. A tall guy with chocolate brown hair entered, walking straight to the counter and earning glances from customers.

He quietly ordered, and Jisoo, as if dazed, quickly jotted down his order. I don't know what's gotten into me but I am aware that I'm also staring at him, observing him from head to toe. I haven't seen him before.

Maybe because of his elegance? or just his weird choice of fashion: loose sweater that looks like it was ripped near the shoulder and baggy sweatpants. I couldn't clearly see his face though since I'm at the far corner. I went back to sipping my coffee and savoring the bittersweet taste of it. Indeed the name. I quietly chuckle at myself.

I stopped sipping midway as I felt someone approaching. And as if in slow motion, the elegant guy walks towards my place. I just stared at him as his face became clear this time. Oh my God.

Brown orbs meeting my dark ones.

"Can I sit with you?"