The professor called out names for the assignment.
"Song BoRa - Kim TaeHyung"
I stood up from my seat, looking around the classroom for my partner. A boy at the far end of the class stood up, already looking at me, rather staring with an expressio...
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"The professor tricked us to do a research project in the name of assignment."
I sighed, resting my head on the table. Taehyung looked tired too. We both had spent around 30 minutes in our free lecture earlier today and now almost an hour discussing our assignment after our lectures for the day were over.
The discussion wasn't easy at all. The initial 15 minutes were spent by both of us being awkward. Once we got comfortable and started discussing the topic, it was time for our next lecture. But the time we met again after the lectures, it wasn't as awkward as earlier. We discussed the topic more freely, though we did have some contradictory opinions which will make taking decisions difficult in the future. I have no idea how to go about it. So I am doing what anyone at this time would do, going with the flow.
"What else do you expect a Master's degree assignment to be? A 2-page essay?" He chuckled at his own joke, painfully.
I picked up my phone to check the time and once I did, I hurriedly stood up, started packing my things. Taehyung looked at my hurried form, not comprehending why I suddenly got so energy in me while 5 seconds before I couldn't even open my eyes.
Before he could ask, I answered. "I need to hurry up before I get late for my job." He had an 'Oh-Ok' expression. "Text me the time we are meeting tomorrow, okay?" I quickly asked him and left without waiting for his answer. I heard him calling me but I couldn't waste my time to answer him. I waved him bye while running out of the library. I didn't want to be late for the job.
No doubt my first week at the café went pretty well. I cleared the trial period and was now a permanent employee. My boss, Mr. Kim Seokjin, who asks me to call him just 'Jin-ssi' was very sweet throughout my first week. He was patient with me while I was trying to learn the nuances of the job. So was Hoseok, who had become a nice friend over the period. The job isn't really hectic so I am able to manage it with University and visits to the hospital on the alternate days.
I kept juggling between brisk walking and running. I stopped once I was right outside the Café. I took two minutes to bring my breath back to normal. I entered the café with the bell tingling at the door announcing my arrival. Hoseok at the counter greeted me with a wide smile. I smiled and nodded in return. I went towards the counter through 'Staff only gate', kept my bag on the side and wore my apron and a cap with the Café's logo on it.
"How do you always manage to reach on time? I have never seen you being late by even a minute." Hoseok asked with a smile on his face. I chuckled nervously. How do I tell him it's my anxiety to be always on time? "Let me keep that as a secret." I winked at him, trying to act cool. He laughed at my cool act.
______
"For god's sake, Joon-ah! Can you stop playing that game on your mobile? Professor has already noticed you twice." I mumbled low enough not to disturb the class but audible enough for Namjoon.
"The lecture is extremely boring. I don't want to sleep at this time. Better to be caught playing than sleeping" He winked, his gaze not even leaving once the mobile screen. Professor continued with his lecture glaring Namjoon every now and then.
To Namjoon's luck, the bell rang when Professor was about to walk up to him and catch his mobile.
"Consider yourself lucky today. Otherwise, you would have been in his office by now." He deadpanned ignored me. I swiped my finger on his screen to spoil his game so that he gives me the attention I need. I smiled wickedly.
"What's your problem?" He took his phone away from my reach as his hands went up to avoid any further spoiling I would do. "You" I replied, still trying to reach the mobile even though I was completely aware of my stance against Namjoon. I gave up within seconds as it was of no use to fight against his tall height. He brought his arms back when realized I was no longer a trouble.
We both picked our bags and started walking towards Canteen, since we were done for the day and hungry after all the boring lectures.
"Hey, where are you going? Canteen is this----" I asked Namjoon when he suddenly turned in a different direction. He cut me before I could complete. "I am meeting Sunhi for the assignment, meet you later" he replied while walking backward in the direction he was intended to go towards. Then he turned to run as if he was late. And I was left alone in the corridor, comprehending whatever happened.
The first thought in mind after he left me alone was, Sunhi better not snatch my best friend. I could already notice him spending more time with her. I know he likes her but you got to spend time with your best friend too. But then I thought of how busy I usually am and in fact it is me that is not free to spend time with him.
I sighed and started walking towards canteen while still lost in my thoughts.
The second thought was that I will have to eat alone.
I don't really like eating alone. I need some entertainment with food or a person to talk to unless I don't have to share my food with him or her. Namjoon was my forever partner for food. He too, didn't like sharing his food. So it was always safe to eat with him.
The Third thought that came to mind was that I was supposed to meet Taehyung too? But when and where? I had no idea. He was supposed to text me the details.
Someone tapped on my shoulder and I turned to look at the Devil I was thinking about. Wow, he indeed is the devil, you think about him and he is there.
"Hi!" He greeted with his rare to be seen boxy smile. The smile had some magic in it because even though I wanted to berate him for not texting me the details about when we were going to meet, his cute smile stopped me. So I replied to him with a simple "Hi!" He started walking along with me.
"You asked me yesterday to text you the details of our meet up?" he asked with a smirk replacing the cute smile on his face. "yes, and you didn't text me" I replied back, not able to understand why was he smirking when it should be me.
"Wah!" He chuckled, "In which parallel space do you remember exchanging contact numbers with me?" I went silent while he was chuckling at my red face due to embarrassment. Now that I have the realization hit me, I never exchanged numbers with him. And here I was going to shout at him. His smile saved me. Guess I too was lucky today.
"You know when I was calling for you while you were trying to rush away," I nodded slowly full of embarrassment, "I was actually asking for your number to text to. But guess who was in a hurry?"
"Okay Okay! My fault. Sorry!" I said throwing my hand up to show my defeat. "Can we please eat something first. I am really hungry right now" He nodded and we went to the canteen to fill in our stomach before we start working on our assignment.
