A+ in Love

Chapter 3

"Welcome back to work, " one of my co-workers mumbled on their way passed me, carrying a tray of drinks over my head.

Indeed, welcome back I thought. I too carefully picked my way throught the crowd with my own tray. I only worked part time, if you could even call it that, as a waiter at a bar a mere four blocks from my father's law firm.

I blew a strand of my blue hair out of my eyes and used my shoulder to wipe sweat from my cheek. Twice a month the owner let bands play on stage and those nights are our busiest days ever. Tonight the place was packed wall to wall with young adults who came to listen to the newest hot band who were trying to claw their way up to fame. From what little I could hear over the roar of the crowd they were really good. One of the few bands I've heard here that I liked so I made a mental note to ask for their name from the bar manager after we closed.

" Heres your drinks, sorry for the wait." I bowed a little in an apology as I handed out the drinks.

I hurried to get to the next unwaited table in my zone and smiled when I seen it was Minsu. He was an hour and half early and also seemed to be having a very deep and slightly heated conversation with someone. As I got closer I was slightly surprised to see that it was Minsu's chemistry professor. I was also surprised as to how attractive I found him outside of the University setting or maybe he was just an attractive man in general.

He had filled the old chemistry professors position four months ago after he had to retire because of a heart attack and let me tell you ever since then he had been talk of most of the girls around campus. In all honesty, I was surprised Minsu was this close to him already, the retirement of his old professor had been hard for him, he loved that elderly man dearly.

" You came a little early, " I stated as I stopped at Minsu's table, I kept my eyes on his professor who was flipping through the menu now " I don't get off work for another hour and a half. "

" I decided that I actually wanted a drink tonight," he waved to his professor " it worked out anyways look who's also here."

" It's nice to see you, " I gave a respectful bow and pulled out my note pad " what are you having?"

" I'll have soju, " Minsu stated not even looking at the menu.

" I'll just have a water, " the professor nodded his head in the direction of the band " I'm the drummers ride, also get Minsu some soup drinking on an empty stomach isn't healthy. I'll pay for it. " he assured him.

I noted it all down not missing the act of kindness. It seemed Minsu's professor was full of them. It had been eating away at me for the last day now, I really did own him a thank you for saving my ass the other night with my ex's friend. I pocketed the notepad and hurried to the back to place their order and to get out orders that were up.

An hour and a half seemed to drag on and on I felt like I'd forever be in a loop of working. But as the band started to gear down my time ended, thankfully or I felt like I was going to pass out. This was not a job I would have picked for myself, but my mother's had gotten me the job because she knew the owner's mother. My parents kept me on such a short leash it was tiring most of the time.

I smiled as I hung up my apron and clocked out feeling the weight off my chest slip away. I hurried out the back with my backpack tucked under my arm and a glass of water in my hand. I panicked when I didn't seen Minsu at the table.

" um excuse me, " his professor looked up from his phone " where is Minsu?"

" he went to the restroom, he said he'd be right back. "

" oh, thank you, do you mind? " I nodded to the spot across from him. He waved his hand so I slide into the booth and took a deep gulp of my water.

" I'd slow down if I was you, you'll get sick." I set the glass down and wiped my mouth off with the back of my hand.

" so..." I trailed off as I just looked at him. He set his phone down and tucked one side of chin length brown his hair behind his ear " Um, thank you."

" For?" I couldn't tell if he was being cocky or was too dense to know what I was thanking him for.

" You know the other night, when you broke up that tiny agruement. " He nodded as he picked up his glass, he took a sip before he looked at me.

" Look, it was really no big deal it part of being a professor, " he rubbed his neck and leaned back looking at me over the top of his glasses " I think you should report him."

" I can't, " I shook my head as I drew circles on the table top with the tip of my finger. He held out his hands palms outward shrugging.

" I'm not going to force you, it's your life but just so you know Minsu told me some of what was going on. If you need me i'm here to listen. " he took another sip of his water and was about to say something when the drummer slide into the spot next to him.

" Did you like the show?" He was almost yelling making us both cringe " sorry, " he gave a sheepish smile.

" yes, you were very good." The drummer beamed at his friends words and hurried away with a promise to only drink a few drinks.

" So how much did that big mouthed Minsu tell you?" I wanted to slug him for telling his teacher, if word of me being gay got back to my parents I don't know what could happen. I bit my lip at the very thought of my family knowing the only ones I had a little hope for where my older brothers.

" Don't worry he didn't tell me much, " he chuckled a little. He pulled out a hair tie and pulled his hair into a stubby ponytail, a few strands fell loose around his face and he tried to smooth them back.

" So where are you from?" I asked as I looked around for my friend, to be honest he was probably shit faced drunk some where I had brought over so many drinks for him tonight.

" Turky, " that explained the darker skin tone.

" I thought you were American at first, your Korean sounds very close to an American." I was rambling on about nothing right now. I took another sip of water to shut myself up, I wasn't good when it came to talking to teachers I never had been.

" I don't know what to say to that, " he stated honestly " I'm actually learning as I'm going but I spent a year in Ilsan my second year of University, that year was a huge struggle, to be honest it's embarrassing." He laughed and set his head in his hand looking at his friend down a shot at another table.

" I bet, I couldn't imagine moving to a whole new country." I told him honestly

" You should, it's...enlightening I guess. I learned a lot about the world that year and I still am." He pointed in the crowd " Minsu seems to be barely walking at this point. "

" I should kill him, " I mumbled and stood up, " It was nice talking to you professor. I have to go collect my very drunk friend from that group of girls before he makes a fool out of himself. "

" A friends job is never done. " He stated as he too stood up " See you around."

I watched him pick his way through the crowd of people to his friend before I made my way to Minsu. It wasn't nearly as easy getting Minsu home as I thought it would be, but somehow I managed to dump the poor drunk boy at home into his very upset mother's capable arms. I had to take a taxi from his house to my apartment complex back down town.

I wanted so badly to break my rule of always using the stairs and just take the elevator but I pulled what little self control I had left and walked up the eleven flights of stairs. I almost almost wept in happiness at the sight of my door it was very shameful I'm aware. My apartment was a little too much in my opinion but it was one of the only apartments both my mother and I could agree on. I tossed my bag on my couch as I kicked off my shoes and made a straight bee line to my bedroom stripping off my clothes as soon as I got there letting them stay right where they fell. I would pick them up tomorrow or in a few days.

The shower was heaven and I'm not ashamed to say I stayed in there long after the water turned cold. I dried off with my favorite fluffy yellow towel and didn't bother to get into pjs before falling into bed and into the dream land.