► ▻ Meeting You At 3AM△▲

► ▻oo2 : Everyday.

—Krystal

"As always, right on time, my Krystal!" Victoria knowingly laughs. I sat in one of my all-time favorite spots of Café La Chata waiting for my new cup of fresh hot coffee. What? It's a life neccessity to gulp down countless cups of coffee every morning, afternoon, and especially every night. 

Victoria bustled behind the counter with heaps of energy. I guess her full of sleep got her up and chipper for the new day. People have their own distinct ways to refuel themselves for the day ahead, yet here I am, depending on more coffee to energize me for today and tonight.

"Krystal!" a someone called from the upper floor.

I turn to look and see one of my closest friends with his autumn colored hair and fully clothed in his school uniform that was complementary to mine. I believe he and Victoria are cousins...distant cousins. It always slips my mind that Victoria is a different nationality than us, but we've known each other for so long that you forget about the tiniest details about each other. 

"Ahh, Taemin!!" I jumped off the tall comfy stool and rushed to Taemin, who hugged me so tight that I could barely breathe. "I missed you so much," Taemin mumbled into my neck. I laugh, he can be so adorable sometimes.

I heavily pat his back, "Me too! Haven't seen you in a while!" I smile inside out. We just had a three-day weekend due to a holiday on Monday. Right now it's time to resume classes and go back to the normal schedule. I regain my breath as soon as he releases his warm tight embrace around my slim waist.

"Where have you been the past weekend?" I questioned, remembering his absence over the past few days. "Oh, I was over at hyung's house," Taemin answered as he looked into my eyes. I felt my cheeks burn up realizing the small distance between our faces. "Oh, I see.." I clumsily smile as I crept away. Well that was awkward...!

Taemin and I go way back into the awkward phases of our lives during junior high. My sister, Jessica, had a super secretive relationship and would always hang out at this very cafe. Hence, she occasionally brings me along, despite my protest at first, and bought me my very first cup of the addictive caffeinated drink. Jessica also held a close bond with Victoria at the time, yet all of that melted away once her secret boyfriend dumped her for another girl.

So much for forbidden relationships... Her major heartbreak served to be the main reason for her to redirect her focus on herself and her studies and set her priorities to getting in to her dream ivy league school.

I admire her so much and I miss her, too! Unfortunately, I did not carry the independence that she possesses, which led me to my major heartbreak...

"Here's your coffee, Krystal. Minnie, eat your breakfast!" Victoria gladly declared. Taemin awkwardly laughed and made his way to the counter where Victoria had laid our breakfast, as well as my special morning coffee.

A smile spreads across my lips after I took a sip out of pipping hot cup. Bet, there's probably no one else ou there who loves coffee as much as I do...

Taemin grins at me, "Don't you just love coffee? I bet there's no one else in the world who loves coffee more than you do, Krystal!" Taemin chuckles and technically glows. I choke on my drink...he knows me so well.

"You good, Krystal? Need a napkin?" Taemin asked very concerned, yet his effervescent glowing aura remained. I don't mean to be a downer, but its starting to annoy me...

I envy him.

The fact that he can simply smile everyday just dazzles me. I mean this guy's been through more struggles than me; he even lost his entire family for goodness sake! Compared to that, I've led a pretty mundane life since all that happened was my family's plans to move to America due to my father's job, yet I refused to leave all of my beloved friends--Taemin, Victoria, and him--and had decided to stay in Seoul. 

I shouldn't have stayed.

I should've left this horrible place.

I mean, it's not that horrible here. We live in the richer, commercial side of Seoul, but we reside on the street that serves as a border between our side and the ghetto side of this vast city. At the time, it was perfectly safe enough for me to live alone. I was sixteen and managed to reason with my caring, yet over-bearing parents, and settled at Victoria and Taemin's little cafe home. 

After they left for America, I packed my bags once again...to his house. Ah, if only I knew better.

But you know what? I was a love-sick teenager for godsake. We aren't supposed to know any better and simply carry the mindset we're invincible and all the horrible things can never happen to us. Through our eyes, the world guarenteed safety and consisted of magical unicorns and the like. I just want to give my innocent sixteen-year-old self a slap to gain a sense of reality. 

How could I be so naive?

Taemin interupts my violent thought by wiping my burnt lips with a napkin. Oh wow, I hadn't notice that my lips were hurt from the scalding hot coffee.

Why did Victoria keep brewing a bit longer this time? She knows I hate my favorite beverage served a little too hot and how sensitive my lips and tongue are. Then why on Earth--

"Hah, you're so careless, Krystal," Taemin chuckles again, making me envious of his bright smile once more. 

"Very. Now you two go on ahead to school now! Don't want to get you darlings late!" Victoria pushes us out of the warm cafe out into the chilly autumn streets that were slowly crowding up. 

"Aish, noona! Think about Krystal's lips! Their going to get chapped now! Also, I just took a cold shower...I might catch a cold in this chilly weather, too! Please just let us stay in a bit longer!" Taemin did his sad puppy face. I giggle, his aegyo can be very effective. Although that kind of stuff is not my cup of tea, when he does it I find it cute.

"Pshh, then you guys walk faster to school!" Victoria harshly replied. "Now, you know noona's got early customers and how--"

"--and how a bunch of high schoolers would disrupt these very valuable customers... Yeah, we know the whole ordeal, Victoria!" I pout. 

"Well, I'm glad you guys understand," Victoria grinned and ruffled both of our heads. Ugh, she's treating us like we're babies. Victoria acts more of a mom than a friend. 

"But we're seniors, noona!" Taemin adorably complained. I giggle again, he's can be such a child as well.

"Now, now. Give noona a kiss ~" Victoria pointed to her cheek. Victoria looks at me too and grins cheekily.

Oh my god, make it stop already. Although we both hate Victoria's motherly mode in the mornings, we still oblige and still kiss her anyway. I'm surprised I got used to it, since it was only Taemin she used to do these kinds of mom things on him. Oh well, as her childhood friend and dongsaeng, I shall do it to get it over with.

We both hesitantly plant our lips on her cheek. Ring! 

"Oh, let me get the customer's order!" Victoria rushes back into the cafe and leaves me as Taemin's lips push against mine all too suddenly. 

Victoria, you mo-fo. How could you, not one customer has even walked in yet nevertheless the cafe has opened for business.

Oh, I will get you Victoria Song Qian!

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