(editing) friends | dino | lee chan

Chapter Seven

A/N: This meme got me good bruh im cackling

ALSO HAPPY BORN DAY JOSHUUUUUUUAAAAAAA ILYSM HOE XOXO

Aera

As I was cleaning up the last of the tables before shutting the store altogether, two regular costumers walk in. I sigh in annoyance then quickly walk over to the counter and waited patiently for them to order.

Their eyes scrolled the chalkboard behind me which had all the milk tea flavours. It took literally five minutes before one of them finally speaks.

"We'll have our usuals, thanks." Momo hands me her card with a smirk.

I take it, swipe it through on the machine, then handed her the pad to finish of her payment.

Sana by her side was just powdering her nose.

I step to the side and start making their drinks. Green apple for Momo and for Sana, a classic royal pearl milk tea. When I finished it was twelve minutes past the closing time. "There you go," I smile politely as I place the drinks on the counter. "Enjoy."

"Thank you," Sana smiles back.

Momo just stares at hers in disgust. "It's a different shade of green. What did you do to it? It looks like puke."

"It's the same as any other time," I say in monotone.

She shakes her head, "no it's usually lighter than that." She folds her arms. "I want a new one and a refund."

"But you haven't even tried it ye-"

"I don't need to! It looks trash!" She takes the drink, pierces the straw through the plastic cover, teared the rest of it open then poured the drink all over the wooden counter.

Sana and I both step back as the liquid splashes everywhere.

"You'd think they would give loyal costumers better service." Momo rolls her eyes then walked out the door.

Sana on the other hand bows five times and apologises before running after her friend.

I shouldn't have been surprised at her behaviour.

Momo always caused some kind of scene when she came. This was the worst one though.

For no reason she had been nothing but a bully since school started. Not just to me, but a lot of the other 'weaker' girls too. She was a new girl this year and rumour has it that she's actually in the year above and should have graduated last year. However, she got involved in a bullying act at her old school so she was expelled. She was not able to graduate and is now doing this whole year over again.

I stare at the floor for what seemed like forever then snapped out of my horrible daydream. I then slowly walk to the supplies closet and take out a mop and a bucket. I fill the bucket up with water then make my way out to the counter again. But when I get there, boss Lee and Chan were standing at the door. I look at my boss wide eyed then bowed deeply, trying hard to hold back the sudden tears welling up in my eyes. "I'm sorry ma'am."

She sighs deeply then looks at me with furious eyes. "Those girls came by again didn't they?"

I don't answer.

"It's okay," her eyes soften. "I'll give them a talking to when I see them in here next." She comes over and pats my shoulder. "Let Chan take you home. I'll clean this up." She takes the mop from my hand.

"But ma'am I-"

"Don't you have homework?" She says a little sharply.

I gulp.

"Is this yours?" Chan suddenly pops his head up form behind the counter.

I didn't even realise he had moved.

He was holding my school bag up.

I nod.

He puts it over his shoulders then makes his way beside me. "I'll see you at home, mother." He gives her a kiss on the cheek before taking my hand and guiding me out of the shop.

-

Chan didn't let go of my hand until we were outside my house. "Is someone being mean to you at work?"

I shrug.

"You have to stand up to them!" He says loudly, almost shouting. "You have to-" he starts doing karate moves and even did a spin kick in the air, "-and then-" he starts punching the air aggressively. He starts making weird, overdramatic boxer like facials. 

It caught me off guard but I actually let out a laugh. He knew how to make me feel better already.

"I'm not joking!" He stops and starts flailing his hands everywhere. "You know Mingyu hyung? He used to have really bad anger issues right? So when he gets angry he would beat people up til they're bleeding everywhere! He even did it to his step brother." The way he explained the story made him look and sound so passionate about his hyung beating people up. It was almost as if he admired him.

My laugh turns into a chuckle and I kept a smile on my face when I asked, "what are you trying to say?"

"Want me to get you fighting lessons?" He says excitedly.

I start to laugh again at the thought of me physically fighting someone. I would've gotten beaten to a pulp! I can't even look at Momo at school without practicing my facial expressions beforehand. If she thought I was scowling at her or something she'd call me out just like that. I mean, it's never happened to me yet, but I have seen her do it before.

"I'm serious Kitty," he whines. "Come on! It'll be cool! I'll do it too."

"Maybe," I nod,

His eyes sparkle.

"Maybe," I repeat but I know he heard it as a 'yes.' It was odd that I was already warming up to this boy and suddenly noticing small things about him. Even if we hadn't known each other for that long. I could feel myself going back to who I used to be when Jihoon oppa was still around. I am becoming happier.

Just then Chan's expression changes. He stares behind me and squints his eyes.

I turn around and looked across the road but there was nothing. I look back at Chan. "What is it?"

He shakes his head. "I thought I saw something but never mind."

"Like what?" I shift a little and tried to fight off the feeling that we were suddenly being watched.

"A person," he shrugs.

I start to panic and take a step closer to him. "We should go inside now. It's dark and it's dangerous to be out here."

He puts an arm around me and pats my head. "Are you scared?"

I shake my head a little too aggressively.

He chuckles then drops his hand to the lower of my back and pulls me closer to him with both hands. He looks down at me and I look up at him, my chin resting on his chest. "I'll protect you it's okay."

This felt like a movie scene.

He was looking into my eyes so fondly it was almost as if he was about to... his eyes quickly glance down at my lips then back at my eyes.

A weird sensation of adrenaline suddenly rushes through my body. Something inside me was urging me to be brave right now. I slowly put all my weight onto my toes and bring my face closer to his.

He starts leaning in too but to my surprise his head drops to my shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow alright?"He whispers in my ear. After a few seconds he steps away from me then gives me a smile and ruffles my hair. "Go inside."

I had never felt more embarrassed in my life. I wanted to hide under my bed and scream forever on end. Without another word I quickly make my way into my home, up to my room and sunk to the floor. I start hitting my head over and over. "Stupid Aera! Stupid!" I felt like I wanted to cry but nothing comes out of my eyes. Why did I even do that? Do I like him? No. Of course not. How can I? I haven't even known him for that long! But still though... why did I feel so offended?