Ivory (Sequel to Porcelain)

Chapter 17: Minwoo

After breakfast and a quick shower, I dressed in my usual Saturday garb: a comfortable outfit consisting of black skinny jeans, black t-shirt, and gray converse. I threw my still-wet hair into a messy bun and then met Mom in the kitchen. She smiled at me. "Ready to go?"

"Yep!" I said.

Mom grabbed her purse and hung it over her shoulder. "Great. Let's go."

"So what are the plans for today Mom?" I asked as we stood at the bus stop, waiting for the next bus to come.

Mom pulled a tube of lipstick and a compact mirror out of her purse. She started dabbing at her lips and checking the rest of her makeup. I self-consciously touched my own bare face and dry lips. Mom and Sohyun loved makeup—why didn't I?

"What do you want to do, Eunji?" Mom asked.

"Hmm...well, I'm kinda tired. Maybe we could go to a café, get some coffee, and then talk about it some more?"

Mom smiled, letting me know she approved of this idea. "I like how you think, Eunji."

Ten minutes later, Mom and I got off the bus and headed towards a coffee shop and bakery down the street. It was a new place—a sign declaring GRAND OPENING was stuck to the large front window. This was an example of a difference in personality between my mother and I. Mom liked trying new things and exploring. She was always the one that wanted to try "that new restaurant that just opened" or a completely different brand of shampoo from the one she already uses and knows she likes. I, on the other hand, like the safe and secure. If I know I'm a fan of Café A's lattes and pastries, why should I go to Café B when I don't even know if I'll like it? That was my philosophy. Because of that, I rarely tried new things. But hanging out with mom made me see the beauty in it.

The sign above the coffee shop had the words "Latte Land" printed on it. Something about the logo seemed oddly familiar to me, but I didn't have time to think about it because my mom was suddenly whisking me inside the building alongside her.

"Wow, it smells good in here," I exclaimed, looking around. The café was on the smaller side, which I liked because it gave the place a cozier, more intimate vibe. The floor was mostly taken up by the front counter and many small wooden tables, but there were also a few plush chairs with short round coffee tables between them.

I caught whiffs from all the baked goods displayed in the glass case—sugar, butter, cinnamon, chocolate... The sweet aromas mingled with the scent of coffee to create the most heavenly-smelling air. Due to coffee and sweets, there were lots of nice smelling cafes out there, but this one definitely took first place.

Mom drifted over to the front counter where a young boy manning the register asked us what we wanted to order. I got my usual—an iced caramel macchiato—and Mom ordered a specialty drink that was displayed hugely on the menu. It was an iced hibiscus peach watermelon mango tea. Quite the mouthful, but yummy-sounding indeed. Mom also ordered a piece of lavender tangerine cake for us to share.

With our orders put in, the boy handed Mom a receipt, and said smilingly, "Please sit anywhere. I'll bring your order when it's ready."

Mom bowed, then turned to me. "You pick where we sit, Eunji."

I grinned and headed towards the back of the café where the plush chairs were. As I got closer, a head of fluffy chocolate-auburn hair caught my eye. A boy sitting in one of the chairs and poring over a large textbook came into my vision. Recognition flooded through my brain at the sight of him.

"Minwoo?" I asked.

The boy looked up and large doe-like eyes met mine. It was Minwoo. His surprised, slightly-parted lips spread into a big smile. "Eunji! Hi! You came sooner than I expected!"