Serendipity KTH

Chapter 2 - An Invitation

"Arrgghh. We're graduating and you're still studying" It was Hani, my best friend, a party girl. Why we became best of friends is a mystery.

We're waiting for our teacher to enter the room to give some final requirements for our graduation.

"I don't have anything to do. This is not a textbook. It's a novel" I told her as a matter of fact.

"Same difference. What about you join me this Friday for the Party. I'll give you a ride home." She raised her eyebrow twice. I returned my eyes on the book I'm reading.

"You said that the last time and yet I walked my way home. So that would be a no..." I said not taking my eyes off the novel I'm reading.

"I won't do that again promise!" She said as she forcefully shut down my book.

I opened my book again. "I'm not attending the graduation ceremony. I don't have any mo—" I was beginning to say when she interrupted.

"You don't need to shell out anything. I'll pay for everything." She said. I guess this is why she became my bestfriend she always treats me.

"That's one thing, but should I come in to your party in our school uniform? I don't have a part-"

"Dress, I'll lend you one." She said while I looked at her. "Come on Y/N, my dad wouldn't let me attend alone."

"Okay. But give me some cab fare if you plan to go home with some other guy. I don't wanna walk home again" I told her as I shut my book. There's no use saying no to her.

"You're the best!" She kissed my cheeks. "By the way, I don't know if you'll be happy but my dad met your dad over a business deal."

"Why would I be happy about that?" I asked her.

"My dad kinda talk about me and he said she also have a daughter my age. I don't think he has forgotten about you like you told me. Are you sure he's ashame of you?" She asked.

"Let's not talk about him." I said.

"Okay. I just wish you know, you kinda open up to me."

I didn't answer. I heard her sigh.

Our teacher came in and begin our last class for the day. The bell rang and we all stood up.

"Do you want a ride home? My car's here." Hani asked me as she was picking her books.

"No. I got a part time job after."

"See you tomorrow then."

I put on my convenience store uniform and went straight to work.

I hate my weekday jobs. Since I have to attend school in the morning, I have to take the night shift.

"Hi Jae. You can go home now." I told my co-worker. He was a few years older than me but as a struggling musician, he needed another job to support himself. He plays the guitar well and sings like an angel.

"You're still here! I thought you've graduated!" he smiled.

"No, I still need the money. I'll be here until next month. Come on, go!" I told him as I manned the cashier.

"I'm doing overtime. Wonpil is sick." He said. "It looks like it's me and you again until midnight."

"Oh, not again! I bet he's faking." I said.

"Probably. Hey I wrote a song. Wanna hear it?" He said taking out a CD on his pocket.

"Yah, sure." I said. "How long have you've been keeping that on your pocket?" I joked.

"... long enough. I was waiting for our shift together." He said shyly.

The song blazed upon the convenience store. He began re-stocking some items. He looked at me when the hook played. I signal Jae that the song was okay.

"... I love you!" He said.

"What?" I like Jae, not romanticaly of course. I could swear that he likes me, unfortunately for romantic reasons, but I don't entertain him.

Whenever he asks about meeting outside of work or seeing me home. I always say no. I don't think I can afford to have a relationship right now. I can't believe he would bluntly confess his love for me this way.

"The song title. It's I loved you. With a 'd'" He said.

That was a relief. I smiled at him.

The chimes sounded and I looked at the door. It was the masked man.

He removed the mask as soon as he saw me and smiled. He was weirdly wearing an eyeglass and have a book in his hand.

He randomly grabbed some stuff and and went to the cashier.

"Hi." I said.

"Hi." He placed the book in the counter. It was Omelas.

I begin to punched in a couple of snacks, candies and chocolate.

"It's a good book. I've read that." I told him.

"Yeah. I love reading books, too" he said as he looked outside nervously.

I looked outside and saw a man who immediately hide. Only, he knocked around a couple of garbage can.

I chuckled at his clumsiness.

"Is he 'the friend'?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's my friend." He looked at me nervously.

"No. Is he THE friend who asked you to buy those condoms?" I said still chuckling.

"Fuck! You remember me?!" He said as he took his eyeglasses off which he clearly doesn't need.

This time the chuckle began a full grown laugh.

"Of course, condom guy. Did you think you're clark kent and I wouldn't recognize you with glasses or you're hoping that I forgot your face? That'll be 10,800 won" I told him.

He didn't answer me. He gave me some money and took all his candy and book. He was leaving the store when I called him.

"Hey! Condom Guy, your change!" I said.

He turned back and said "Taehyung... it's Taehyung. It was both but I'm kinda glad you remember me. Although, it's embarassing." He smiled at me.

He must've notice that I blushed because he turned red himself. "Nice meeting you, Y/N" he said as he caught a glimpse of my name tag.

He proceeded to go while his friend chase him.

"You know him?" It was Jae. I didn't noticed he finished restacking and was looking at us.

"Not really, he bought something a couple of days ago." I said.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask. Do you have anywhere to go to on Friday? We'll be playing in Clubb Ten. Do you want to come?" He asked me while scratching his head.

"Loved to, but I can't. I promised my best friend I'll be accompanying her to a party. I might If she ditched me early" I smiled at him.

"Hani... yeah. Okay. Maybe next time. It was nice to hear you laugh by the way." He said but looking disappointed.

I was surprised, he was right. I haven't laughed in a long while, when I remembered Taehyung's surprised face, I chuckled again.