Last Summer (K.TH)

Chapter 3

"What may I get for you, Ma'am?" Jaemi asks, jotting down the old lady's order on her notepad.

Jaemi works in a cafe near her apartment. She had been working as a waitress for almost five years. She was just fourteen when she first started working. The owner of the cafe didn't allow her to work at first, saying that she was too young to start working already. But Jaemi never backed off. She turned up in front of the cafe everyday after school and told the owner of the cafe that she'll do anything to get this job. At last, the owner felt defeated and gave her the job as a waitress in his cafe.

Life was going good for Jaemi. She got the job and her boss paid her a good amount for it. But when these other girls joined the cafe, Cassy, Malissa and Heather, her life took a turn. They bullied her everyday, telling her to do their work as well. Jaemi was too scared to stand up for herself so she did as those girls asked. But everything changed once this particular girl joined the cafe.

Kim Jisoo.

{Flashback 5 years ago}

Jaemi entered the cafe, the scent of freshly brewed coffee hitting her nostrils. She walked towards the storage room and changed into her work clothes. Short blue shorts and a dark blue shirt adorning her petite body. Holding a notepad in one hand and a pen in the other one, Jaemi walks out of the room with full confidence......until she sees them.

Those girls who have been making her life miserable for over a year now.What has Jaemi done to deserve this? Standing rooted to her ground, she tries to think of a way to finally stand up for herself. There are numerous possibilities that she'll embarrass herself but what's the harm in trying.

Taking a deep breath in, Jaemi decides to just go with it. She walks towards those girls, taking baby steps. These girls always took advantage of Jaemi's timid personality. They didn't even show some kind of sympathy towards her. They just gave her the work and got paid for it instead, when they didn't even do the work. Jaemi was paid really less, considering the fact that she did extra work. These girls just didn't care. But today was gonna be different. Jaemi wants to stand up for herself and she believes she can.

Finally reaching in front of the girls, Jaemi tries to speak but not a single word leaves her mouth. She's scared. It's like all of her courage just evaporated into thin air.

What are you doing, Jae? Speak up!

"What do you want?" Heather asked her. Jaemi starts to stutter, not really bold now.

"A-a-are you g-gonna cry n-now?" Malissa spoke up, mocking the way Jaemi spoke. The group of girls burst into a big laugh, seeing how Jaemi's eyes teared up.

"Do our work, you loser, or else you'll get a beating." Cassy said, a disgusting smirk creeping on her facade.

Defeated, Jaemi nods. She tries hard not to cry but loses control the minute a tear escapes her eyes. Trying to run towards the storage room, Jaemi sobs. Those girls laughed as loud as a speaker, enjoying the way they had control over Jaemi.

"What the hell is going on?" A voice echoes in the empty cafe. Jaemi looks towards the entrance of the cafe and sees a beautiful girl standing there with her hands on her waist. She was wearing a beanie, her hair rested gorgeously on her shoulders. She wore a black hoodie that looked comfortably warm. Her facial features were pleasant to look at. But at the time, she held a frown on her face.

Walking towards Jaemi, the girl grabs her wrist and pulls her towards Cassy, Malissa and Heather. Jaemi stood side by side with the unknown girl, head hung low. She's afraid what this new girl is gonna do.