Before The Storm • Chansoo

*3*

I woke up with a pounding headache, my breath foul and hair messy. I glanced over at Juwon's partially-nude body. She slept peacefully, still wrapped in the blankets she stole from my side of the bed. I staggered out of the bed, not fully sober. I could feel a queasiness creep up my stomach, and I ran sloppily to the bathroom. After getting rid of all of last night's dinner, I practically fell into the shower, washing away the scent of alcohol.I slipped on a white button-up and black jeans, only dressing up so I wouldn't feel like complete garbage. By the time I finished getting ready, Juwon was already awake and energetic.

"What're you dressing up for?" She asked still groggy, slinking up to me in only the lingerie from the night before.

"Hangover soup. I feel disgusting", I muttered, lacing my boots.

"Should I come with you?"

"No, that's fine. Just need to clear my head is all. I'll be at the cafe", I kissed her before I left, trailing my hand from her arm, to her waist, and to her hips. "Call me if you need anything, yeah?"

"Sure", she was already back in the bed, wrapping herself in the sheets.

When I arrived at my favorite cafe, Thanks Nature Cafe, I inhaled the various smells the kitchen held. I quickly found a seat tucked away in the corner next to a window. I instinctively chose to be as secluded from people as possible, my introvertedness kicking in. I ordered the Hangover Soup that I almost always got from this place. It was quiet, it being one of the odd hours to go to this type of place. 3:23 PM to be exact. I sipped slowly at my steaming cup of coffee, waiting for my order. I bathed in the still atmosphere, admiring the beautiful cherry blossom trees that adorned the streets of Seoul. It wasn't particularly busy this evening, but there were still a couple of people that passed by here and there. Suddenly, the bell that signified someone was entering the shop went off. I looked up quickly, and I almost choked on my coffee. I nearly tripped while getting out of the chair, which made a loud noise as it was pushed back.

"Kyungsoo?" I walked up to him.

"Hm? Oh, hey. Chanyeol... right?" he responded, unsure.

"Yeah, yeah. What are you doing here?"

"Um... To eat?" He wore a cocky grin.

I smiled back, a little embarrassed. "Do you want to sit down? I already have a seat over there", I motioned behind me.

"Uh, sure. Why not?" he looked back reluctantly. "I can't stay long. I have a shift at 4:30."

I pulled the chair for him to sit down. "Oh, where do you work?"

"The Asan Medical Center Hospital. It's just down the street from here", he beckoned to the waitress.

A young woman approaches us, notepad in hand. "How may I serve you?" A huge smile spread across her face.

"Could I have a large coffee, a caesar salad, and two bowls of assorted fruit?"

"Sure. Is that all? Okay, your total will be $13.83."

The mood shifted awkwardly and the both of us remained quiet amongst one another. I couldn't quite tell if he didn't want to be around me, or if talking to me was just difficult, being that we were practically strangers. Either way, he didn't seem to be enjoying himself very much. His leg shook, he fidgeted with his jacket, and looked around the cafe as if expecting something tragic to happen. Escaping the situation, I struck up a conversation.

"Aren't you a bit young to be working in a hospital?"

"I have an internship. For college", he answered, avoiding eye contact.