A Date with Exo's Jongdae (Chen fanfic)

The light from the lamp post stood out against the abnormally cold dark night. It was summer vacation and there could be nothing more welcome than a cool breeze on your face. The dry leaves in the park brushed across the pavement. Birds had stopped chirping and there were plenty of people rushing past to go home to tuck away their children to bed.

However, in midst all the hustle, there was one such person going against the flow of the crowd. Her hair safely tucked inside a beanie to avoid the wind, she walked silently on the pavement away from the quiet park enjoying the peace it radiated. Everywhere she looked, she could only deduct that Autumn was near and she loved it.

She pulled her coat closer as she tried to block out the cold entering. Her face showed pure happiness and it hurt to not be happy then. She smiled softly all the way to the line of shops that happened to fall on her way home. That area, day or night was always loud. People would shop, eat and shop again till the wee hours of the morning. Not once did this place die down but it didn't trouble her. She liked the noise sometimes, the happiness the faces radiated, the glow of the place.

"Mrs. Reed!" she waved as she saw the familiar looking face setting up her bakery. She soon made her way to the sweet lady's store.

"My dear," Mrs. Reed smiled when she looked up from setting the hot bread on the tray. "Were you in the park again?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Autumn's coming."

"That it is. But don't stay out too late. It could get dangerous."

"Mrs. Reed... It's hardly 8!" she sighed. "It isn't that late."

"Oh yes it is," Mrs. Reed scolded, huffing and placing her hands on her hips. "It is very late and not safe. Just because you are free to do what you want does not mean you aren't to stay safe!"

"Yes Mrs. Reed," she looked down, knowing full well that the latter was right. "Do you need help?"

Mrs. Reed sighed as she looked over at the girl in front of her who was giving that adoring look she could'nt refuse. She just nodded meakly and gestured her inside. "Yes dear. Thank you. You know what to do and I'll get someone to drop you."

"Meh, that's fine Mrs. Reed," she smiled and entered the bakery. "It isn't like there is a time limit for me. Plus it's vacations!"

Mrs. Reed shook her head chuckling at the happiness the girl was spouting. She always seemed happy, though it might not be that case all the time. Mrs. Reed took the girl to be close as a daughter and she worried about her much. She knew the kid was lonely, alone in an apartment away from home so she made certain to always be there for her. She would send another batch of bread and cookies back with her today just so she could have the satisfaction that the young one was eating well.

On the other hand, the girl completely oblivious to the elder's soft glance busied herself with the kitchen. She strapped on an apron after she took off her coat and started to place the bakery goods in the display as Mrs. Reed began baking another batch again. Rush hour was yet to come and she wanted to be fully prepared for it. She hummed her favorite song as she worked, the warmth of the bakery setting in on her.

Rush hour came and people were storming to eat the hot goods of the bakery or to just parcel it and eat as they shop. She greeted everyone while she helped selling the goods. Halfway through, she huffed out and sat down finally a little tired.

The crowd was thinning fast as it neared 10. The big watch on the wall telling them that rush hour was finally over. She sighed softly as she placed more items in the display.

"Excuse me?" a gentle beautiful voice spoke out of the blue. It was heavily accented and strained.

She looked up from her work and smiled at the boy standing in front of her. He was covered in a coat and cap. He had prominent cheekbones and the corners of his lips were curved up. His almond shaped eyes were in a state of worry and confusion.