Stranger | Yang Jeongin

8.Teamwork

Jaehwa POV

We were getting ready for the fundraiser. Everyone was walking in and out of the classrooms and setting up their booths. Our group was in charge of selling cotton candy. We decided to split up into groups since it’d be easier to manage. Jeongin and I would be selling them, Eunhee and Hyunjin were making them, and Jisung would get anything we needed in between. 

“Hyunjin, hurry up and help me take these to our booth,” Eunhee demanded as she was picking up bags of sugar.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” he said as he ran over.

“Jaehwa, we need to get the money pouch from Mr. Yoon. Are you coming?” Jeongin asked.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I said as I looked at him.

We walked to the teacher’s room and saw Mr. Yoon frantically putting items where they had to be.

“Mr. Yoon, we’re here for the money pouch,” I said, knocking on the door.

“Ah! Jaehwa, Jeongin, you’re here. Here you go, there’s also change in there in case you need it,” he said as he handed it to us.

“Thank you, we’ll make sure to sell a lot,” I said.

“Alright, I’ll see you guys after the event,” he said as he shooed us away.

We walked to our booth and saw Hyunjin and Eunhee arguing. 

“No, you’re not supposed to do it like that, you idiot,” Eunhee said, hitting him on the head.

“You’re the one who’s wrong, I’m pretty sure you put this in first,” he said back. 

“You can go and check on how Jisung is doing with the set-up, I’ll take care of them,” I said to Jeongin as I handed him the pouch.

“Okay,” he said with a smile.

“What’s going on?” I asked, walking over.

“This idiot keeps telling me we should put 2 cups of sugar in when it clearly says we need 5!” Eunhee said frustrated.

“I just think it’s better to use less,” Hyunjin said.

“Stop arguing and just follow the instructions. We have to make a lot anyways,” I said as I put in the 5 cups needed.

I walked over to see how Jeongin and Jisung were doing.

“That’s your sign?” I asked Jisung.

“Isn’t it cute?” he asked.

It's really not...

“Uh, definitely,” I said, looking away. 

“So every stick is $1 right?” I asked.

“Yup,” he responded as he put up his sign.

“Okay, let’s get to it then,” he said before pushing us behind the booth. 

  As we were waiting for people to come by a little girl stopped in front of our booth.

“Mommy, I want this!” she said as she pointed at the cotton candy.

Her mom rushed over and picked her up.

“Can I get one please,” the mom asked.

“Of course,” I smiled as I handed her one and Jeongin took the money.

“Thank you,” she said before walking away.

We started getting a bunch of customers and it became hard for Hyunjin and Eunhee to manage. Jisung went in to help them, but it wasn’t going so well. Thankfully, Jisung was able to get another machine even though it was smaller.

Eventually the line died down and there weren't as many people.

“I’ll be back, I’m going to ask Jisung if he can get an extra pouch from Mr. Yoon,” I said to Jeongin and he nodded.

Jeongin POV

After Jaehwa turned around I heard two guys talking.

“She’s hot don’t you think?” one of them said.

“Bet you can’t get her number,” his friend said.

“We’ll see about that,” he said as they walked over.

“I’m back, Jisung went to get us another one,” Jaehwa smiled as she stood next to me.

Why did you have to come back now?

“Would you like some cotton candy? How many would you like?” Jaehwa asked as the guys came up to our booth.

“I’m not really interested in the cotton candy,” he smirked.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but we don’t have anything else sir,” she said as she glanced at me.

“How about you give me what I see then?” he said as he eyed her up and down.

“Back off bastard!” Eunhee yelled from behind.

“Yeah, she’s not for sale,” I glared at him as I pushed her behind me.

“I could easily make a complaint about this trash booth,” he laughed.

“Yeah, and we could easily make a complaint about how two middle schoolers want to fool around on school premises,” Hyunjin said as he walked up from behind.

“Middle schoolers? Us? Excuse you but we’re high schoolers too,” he scoffed.

“You sure don’t act your age,” Eunhee mumbled loud enough for them to hear.

“What was that?” the guy asked.

“I suggest you leave my team alone because the teacher’s on his way here right now,” Jisung said and we all turned our heads his way.

“Let’s get out of here,” one of the guys whispered before the both of them scurried away.

“Thanks for helping me out guys,” Jaehwa said as she smiled at us.

“No problem, but I wasn’t lying. Mr. Yoon really is coming,” Jisung said.

“Hello my lovely students,” Mr. Yoon said as he came by.

“How’s it going,” he asked.

“We made $250 so far,” Jaehwa said.

“Wow, that’s amazing. With all the other groups added up we probably have over $1,000.”

“Are the other classes doing their fundraisers throughout the week?” Hyunjin asked.

“Yes, there’s going to be a few more classes split up for the rest of the week. You kids should come and check out what they have.”

“We’ll think about it,” Eunhee said as we all looked at each other.

“Alright, well you can go ahead and finish up. The other kids have already started cleaning,” he said as he walked away to check on the other kids who haven’t started cleaning.

“There’s three sticks left, should we share?” Hyunjin asked.

“Jaehwa and I will share,” I said.

“Then Eunhee, will you share with me?” Hyunjin asked.

“Hell no. You can share with Jisung, I’ll have one myself,” she said as she pushed him away.

“You’re so mean to me,” he pouted before walking over to Jisung.

I walked over to Jaehwa who was sitting at the front after cleaning the booth.

“Do you want some?” I asked as I sat down next to her.

“Sure, why not,” she said as she took a piece.

I smiled watching her. This is the first time we’ve been alone in a while…