crushed veneer | dkyungsoo

three

9:08PM — Leila

It's been few days since I talked to Kyungsoo. He goes here every Friday-Monday and order the usual—Hot white chocolate and blueberry cheesecake. He would smile at me and ask few questions about Los Angeles, like—"Any near movie theater here?"

He always stay here for 12 hours. Yes, 12 hours. He just sits there and write. I even caught him falling asleep sometimes. I enjoy watching him sleeping. He maybe an amazing view but a distraction too, Jace always scold me every time I just stare at him. There was this one time I poured too much milk on a drink and Jace slapped my arms, "Hey, stop staring. You poured too much milk, idiot."

"I-"

"You might get caught by the other baristas here. You know that you and I only talk because you know—their attitudes." He explained and looked back, "I can't afford to loose another friend again, Park. I lost your brother already."

This is his story. He's been working here for 7 years already. Before I started working here, my brother worked here. Kali left because the other baristas told the cafe's owner that he's been stealing money and coffee beans. They also told him that he had an affair with Jace, who's straight but really clingy. Both of the rumors aren't true and the owner didn't believe them but he chose just to leave and I've decided to work there instead so I would support our family too. Kali is studying again Creative Writing at UCLA.

My mother was a writer too, but she died when I was about to enter college. My father who's an US Navy is now in Korea. They both met in Korea.

It's already 11 hours since he came here, we were about to close down the cafe. Kyungsoo was the only customer left, but he's still writing. Jace and I started flipping the chair over the table and he looked at me, "Hey, you should talk to him, the others aren't here anymore."

Damn right, my hyung is supportive.

"Should I? What if our conversation ends fast? What if he ignores me?" I whispered and grabbed his arms, "Jace!" My voice echoed the cafe and Kyungsoo looked at us. I apologized and went back from cleaning

After a few minutes, we finished cleaning and he was still there. Jace motioned me to talk to him and I nodded, grabbed my coat. I approached him, I was about to talk him but I interrupted by a voice, "Annyeong, Leila."

It was Kyungsoo's.

"Annyeonghaseyo, how did you know my name?" I asked and he looked at my name tag. I nodded, " We're actually closing now." I whispered and he looked at his surroundings, "Where do you live, by the way? we can walk out together."

"I live in Southville, it's kinda far but the cafes there are expensive and noisy so." he explained and he stood up.

I nodded, "I live near there, I ride the subway. We should go home together." His eyes motioned to Jace and I chuckles, "Jace lives near here."

He smiled and nodded, "Sure, let me clean up my stuff."

He put his laptop and notebook inside his bag. He dropped his pencil case and I quickly picked it up, "Clumsy." I thought.

He shyly smiled, "I'm such a klutz, sorry."

"Same. Uh, let's go." I went to the door already and motioned Jace that we'll close the cafe now. He nodded and said, "I'll leave now. Bye, see you guys tomorrow."

We waved at him as he left the cafe. We went out already and I locked the door with a chain.

Luckily, in 30 years, that cafe hasn't been robbed.

We started walking to the subway station, no one was talking. We just keep on looking at each other and smiled. I wanted to make a conversation with him.

We were near at the subway, I was about to start a conversation but someone interrupted.

"Kyungsoo!" we both turned around and it was my brother, Kali. Kyungsoo ran to him and hugged him. I froze in front of them, how did they become close?

Finally, Kali looked at me and back at Kyungsoo, "Woah, daebak! you met my sister, Leila. How did you guys meet?"

"We met at the cafe. How are you, hyung?" he answered and smiled at him.

I nodded, "Yup, at the cafe. Uh, we should leave now before the last tr—"

"Look, the last train is about to board! Let's go." Kali looked at the LED screen that says that the last train is now boarding. We panicked, ran down to the subway.

Kyungsoo shouted, "Hurry! I can't miss the train."

I shot him a glare while running, "Well, you guys should've talked inside the train instead!" He just rolled his eyes on me and grabbed my hand and ran faster.

I never knew I would run with him. He grabbed my hand tighter and smiled at me.

That damn smile.

—

HALU HALU HALU

third chapter !! this one sucks. Picture of Kali is posted :)