a cup of coffee • kim doyoung

ten

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Kim Dongyoung

I glanced at the door every time it opened.

"Waiting for someone?" Johnny teased from behind me.

"Don't you have anything else to do other than walking around aimlessly?" I questioned with a sigh.

"I'm supervising my wonderful employees a.k.a friends, what else could I be doing?" I announced proudly as he did a huge twirl on the spot, his apron fluttering like a tutu, "Besides, I did you a favour by letting her in yesterday."

My mind automatically flashed back to last night. Johnny had noticed someone standing outside the shop but didn't realise who it was until he opened the door. Her shy smile still remained vivid in my mind as she entered.

"So what? Do you want a thank you?" I asked sarcastically.

"I'm just saying I did an awesome job as a wingman," he slowly emphasised each word. I had enough of his nonsense and threw a used cupcake wrapper at him. It made a satisfying sound as it bounced right of his face.

"Don't you dare push it too far," I threatened. Johnny peeled the wrapper off his face in disgust, before laying his eyes behind me.

"Speaking of the devil," he smirked and I instinctively followed his gaze. She walked in again in the same fashion as the previous times, the only thing that changed was her impressive choice of clothing. Maybe she studies fashion design?

I ignored Johnny's annoying behaviour and attended to her.

"I'll have the usual, please," she said expectantly, and I immediately understood her order. Before I could even register the amount, she slid an exact 4 700 won across the counter. I stared at it in awe.

"Looks like you've memorised the cost too," I pointed out admirably.

"Well, I have to do something to be on par with you," she shrugged. Suddenly, it felt like we were old friends catching up with a cup of coffee by the countryside. A little ironic, don't you think?

"Touché, why don't you take a seat and your order will be ready soon," I gave her the receipt and she glided over to her usual table. I turned around and walked toward the kitchen, only to come face to face with a gigantic being.

"Oh good, go make this order," I pasted the piece of paper onto his chest and tried to ignore the smug look that was plastered all over his face. Unfortunately, I had failed.

"What's this?" He chimed, "Have you already become friends? How unexpected."

"It's just a simple conversation between a customer and a cashier, something you wouldn't understand since you hardly take this job," I answered earnestly, taking in the astounded look on his face. He didn't seem to have anything in rebuttal, which pleased me even more.

"Anyway," he brushed it off, "I see you're making good progress, if you need any help you know who to call," He gave me an exaggerated thumbs-up, before disappearing into the kitchen.

Yeah, sure.

When I knew I was out of his view, my eyes unknowingly went back to the girl. Again, the usual laptop was on the table, AirPods in her ears and her chin in her palm, staring out the window. She's always in that bubble of thoughts, I wonder what goes on in her mind.

"I'm here!" Mark burst through the door, almost knocking over some customers that were exiting. He bowed apologetically, before coming over to me.

"One Iced Americano please," he declared and took out some cash, "You can keep the change."

"Stop fooling around and start working," I answered in a monotonous voice. The next peak hour was starting very soon.

"Eesh, this isn't how you treat a customer," Mark was displeased but headed towards the break room anyway.

"Here's one cafe mocha, one iced latte and one black coffee," Jaehyun announced and set the beverages on the collection table. This is my cue.

I went over to pick up the drinks, but it was immediately swiped away by Mark, who just came out from changing.

"Let me serve them!" He exclaimed and skipped down the rows of tables before I could even reply to him. Great, he stole another chance for me to talk to her.

I watched him serve the drinks in enthusiasm, the response he was getting nearly as eager as he was. I gotta give it to him, he knows how to entertain customers the right way.

I made my way back to the counter in disappointment when a loud shout echoed throughout the room.

"What are you doing here?" the source of the voice came from Mark as he stared down at an equally shocked customer. I squinted to make out the other party.

Wait... that table is...

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