Start Again//DISCONTINUED

THREE

"I think I like Jimin."

     A laugh is ripped from your throat. "Lily, it's not even been a day. Like, I understand that he's your bias, but you don't even really know him."

    "But-"

    "Lily, look. You only know the real him because of what I've told you. You need to get to know him more for yourself before you really decide." Lily shifts over as you go and sit.

    "I know, but..." She trails off, and you look at her. Something flashes in her eyes, quickly stomped down. "Yeah, you're right. What am I thinking?" A bitter laugh escapes Lily, and she quickly stands up. Her eyes glisten. "Sorry for being stupid about this."

    And as quickly as she came to you, she was gone. A door slams closed down the hall, and immediately, you hear Jimin knocking on her door. When a pain filled 'fuck off' is shouted through the door, Jimin comes to your room. "What did you do to her?" He looks defensive, almost protective.

    "I did nothing! She came to me and I gave her my advice! I wasn't mean, I swear." Hope claws her way up the bed, and you stand. Picking her up, you also grab Cookie and put your pets in their pens. "I need to go to work now or I'll be late. The address is in a notebook in one of my kitchen drawers, but just ask for the coffee shop where the girl performs is and someone'll tell you."

    Jimin watches you as you leave. "Considering she was clearly crying, I'm pretty sure you were mean." When you don't respond, he sighs. "We're talking about this later. Don't be late coming home. When do you get off, anyways?"

    "Eight-thirty. I'll be back around ten; I typically meet a friend after my shift." You pull on the trench coat you have on the coat stand by the door, slipping on your grey high-heeled boots. "Ask Lily to make you food, or eat whatever you can find. I eat either with my friend or at the shop." With one last wave behind you, you step out into the hallway of your apartment complex and sigh. Goddamnit Lily...

~~~~

    "I need somebody now... it isn't in my blood..." The last chords of the song play, and you smile at the customers. "That was my last song. I hope you enjoyed. And I hope the coffee and pastries you may have gotten are delicious. Amelie is an excellent baker, am I right?"

    A few cheers at that from the small crowd. "Your voice is golden, dear!"

    You laugh. "Ah, thanks. You're too kind." You allow a few more compliments before interrupting. "Anyways, please feel free to stop by here. If you come on Tuesdays between three and four pm, you can get a free coffee and muffin if you correctly say my last song from the previous day."

    A round of applause ushers you off the platform, and you walk to the back room. "(Y/N)! Great performance, like always." Your friend, Josh, comes up to you and hugs you. "Still up for tonight?"

    "Always!" Josh has been your friend since elementary, and you two even dated back in your senior year of high school. "Y'know, aren't you tired of me? It's been so many years that we've been friends."

    You tie the signature pink apron around your waist, placing a headband with a fake muffin on your head to complete your waitress look. "Never! You've always been there for me, and I the same for you. If anything, we're like siblings."

    "Siblings who attempted to have sex in the back of your car after a movie but somebody called it quits cuz he couldn't get hard."

    Josh gasps, face turning red. "I was seventeen! I thought you forgot!"

    "Never. Seeing your disappointed face will never leave my mind." You laugh at the glare Josh sends you. "I totally would've taken a picture and framed it if you hadn't shattered the camera while attempting to sneak a picture of me and I caught you."
    "You are such a bitch, you know that?"

    You laugh again, pushing past Josh. "Yep. Though, it takes one to know one, right?"

    The look on Josh's face is pure gold, and you have to force yourself to walk out of the back room before you start to laugh. Immediately, Amelie is by your side. "I need you working the register. It's starting to get busy, and poor Leeah still doesn't have it down yet."

    You nod, already at the register. "Hey Leeah. You can ask Amelie what to do or watch as I do it. You gotta learn this soon, though." Leeah steps out of your way as the customer first in line approaches the register. "Good afternoon! What can I get for you today, sir?"

    The man is dressed in a neatly ironed suit, and not a hair is out of place on his head. A golden watch glitters on his wrist, and you wonder why he chose this dinky little coffee shop when there are plenty of other good ones around. "One small coffee and an apple muffin."

    "Six dollars and eighteen cents." He hands you a ten dollar bill and leaves before you can give him his change. "Sir, you forgot-"

    "Keep it." He takes a seat at one of the corner tables and sighs. The moment he's sitting, the watch comes off his wrist, his tie is loosened, and he closes his eyes. "I just wanted the peace and quiet here but I think it would be rude to not order anything and just sit here."

    His voice is softer now, the sharp businessman like quip gone. The coffee and muffin are handed to you, and you walk over to him and give them to him. "Is there anything else you need, sir?" The man opens his eyes. His emerald orbs scan you, resting on the headband on your head.

    "Nothing else. I'm guessing I missed the live music?" His eyes sparkle with amusement, and your hands fly to the headband.
    "Y-yes. You came just after I finished my last song."

    "Shame. I've heard great things about you." He sips his coffee, eyes closing. "Now let me be."

    You nod, heading back over to rescue Leeah where she's in a panic at the register. As you work, you feel his eyes drilling into you. But you ignore it, instead ringing up order after order. Finally, it's dark. No more people trickling in. But the man is still there. "Sir?"

    He doesn't acknowledge your voice. His hand is still gripping the empty coffee cup, and his half-eaten muffin rests next to that.

    "Sir? It's time for us to close. I need you to leave, sir." You poke him gently, leaping back when his eyes fly open. "Sir I'm afraid you need to leave now. It's time for us to close for the night."

    The man looks at you, then at the clock behind you. "I suppose it is." He puts the gold watch back on, tightens his tie, and sits up straight. "Thank you."

    "Hm? For what?" Your hands are reaching behind you to untie your apron, and his eyes follow.

    "For allowing me to unwind here. It really is a nice place." Your gaze flies to his watch. "You're probably wondering why a rich-looking man such as myself is in this cheap coffee shop, right?"

    You nod hesitantly. "Yes, sir. There's plenty of other-"

    "This is the coffee shop that my girlfriend owns. Amelie."

    Your eyes widen. "You're Amelie's boyfriend?"