Don't tell me bye bye (mystery/ thriller)

Chapter 6

A pretty girl is standing by my table, and going by the notebook in her hand and the stripy apron around her waist she must work here, so if I want something to eat, I've got no choice but to engage.

"Um, yeah. I got here yesterday. How'd you know I'm new?"

"Because of the look on your face when you walked in here, and the fact that you're hiding from everyone in that big, squidgy chair which faces the wall and not a single human being. I looked like you a few months ago. I'm a newbie too."

"Oh." I fold my arms. "I didn't realise it was that obvious."

"Rose."

"Huh?"

She smiles, and flicks her hair over her shoulder. Damn her long hair. Mine was the same length as hers a few hours ago.

"My name. It's Rose." "Oh."

She smiles at me, her eyebrows getting higher and higher. "Normally when someone tells you their name, you then tell them yours. It's like a weird socially acceptable way of meeting people."

"Sorry." My head is starting to hurt and my cheeks feel way pinker than I'd like them to be. "My name's Y/n."

"Nice to meet you, Y/n. So, what do you make of Seoul?" Where do I even start?
"Um, it's okay I guess."
"Where do you live?"

"Blackthorn Lane."

She beams at me. "Not far from me then. What brought you here?"

When is she going to take my order? "Um, just...we're doing up my nanna's house to so we can sell it," I say, wringing my hands together and willing my dry mouth to form actual words. How much do I say? I used to be quite good at talking to people, once upon a time. "She left it to my mum, so...and I guess, it was partly me and..."

"Sorry." She shakes her head, sensing my discomfort. Phew. "I'm just being nosy." "It's fine," I lie.

"Well, you'll be pleased to hear that this place is too busy buzzing with what happened to that boy Tae to worry about who you are and whose boyfriend you're going to steal."

"People know about that?" Wow, Jin was right. News really does travel fast in this part of Seoul.

"Yeah....how do you know about it? Wait..." Rose gasps and pulls back the chair opposite me. "Are you the one who helped him?"

She's making herself a little too comfortable at my table and I'm not getting any closer to giving her my order, so I peer around the side of my chair, hoping to see her boss or half the shop waiting for their coffee. "Aren't you going to get in trouble? I mean, don't you work here?"

"No." She waves her hand at me. "I mean, yes, I work here, but no, I won't get into trouble. Jimin, who owns the place, won't mind. Anyway, he can't see me behind your chair."

"I was kind of hoping to sit by myself."

"I'll go in a minute. Tell me what happened? I mean it was you, right? You were there when Tae jumped in?"

"Look, if I tell you what happened can you just take my order and leave me alone, please?"
She raises one hand and puts the other across her chest.
"Promise."
I sigh and sit forwards, trying to ignore my rumbling stomach as I wonder where on earth to begin.

***

"He actually said that?"

I blink at Rose, who is now resting her elbows so far forwards on the table that she's had to tuck her legs underneath her so she's kneeling on her chair.