a cup of coffee • kim doyoung

twenty five

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Kim Seyeon

It's been three whole days and I haven't been to the cafe ever since I collected Seha's vitamin drinks. Although I felt a little guilty, that place brings back unforgiving memories that I don't want to remember. Of course, I can't stay like this forever.

"Found you," Hyejoo plopped down onto a seat next to me, dropping her stuff onto the table. "How's your progress?"

I shivered at that question. I opened a new layer on my sketch and replied nonchalantly, "80%?"

"What? Already?" She gasped in both astonishment and betrayal, "Why are you so fast?"

"I have a strong inspiration," I gloated, suddenly missing his presence and the small conversations we had. Sometimes having a delusional imagination helps boost your creativity, just don't let it get out of hand as I did.

"I envy you," Hyejoo muttered, "I wish I liked someone too." I blinked twice at her. Did I hear correctly?

"What do you mean? I don't like anybody," I lied shamelessly. She doesn't know a thing, what is she talking about? She laughed out loud, before looking at me with intense eyes.

"Stop pretending," She lowered her tone, her eyes strangling me to face the truth. Ah yes, she caught me.

I sighed, "Honestly, I can't face anyone from that cafe anymore, it's too embarrassing." The fact that I don't even remember what I did irks me the most. He was probably being nice when I went over that day.

"No wonder you suddenly frequent the library, Mark has been asking why you don't turn up anymore."

"I know, he asked me too." The day after we drank, Mark texted me asking me to help him with his project again, but I told him I wouldn't be going to the cafe for a while. Apparently, he doesn't remember much from that night either.

"You know you need to face him one day, right?" Hyejoo said, but I didn't reply. Silence fell over us as we each worked on our own projects, but I couldn't concentrate one bit. Endless thoughts flooded my head as I stared at my tablet. The sketch of Dongyoung stared back at me, grinning as he serves my character coffee. Why can't we be as comfortable as in my drawings?

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I trudged my way out of school, Hyejoo staying back for an elective. I heard footsteps rushing towards me from behind and before I knew it, a face popped into view.

"Found you!" Mark yelled as he jumped in front of me. I don't even have the energy to be shocked. He continued, "Are you going to the cafe today?"

"No, I'm going home," I shunned him down instantly, trying my best to hide my anxiety. However, he didn't give in.

"Why?" He whined, tugging my arm, "It feels so empty without you."

"You get hundreds of customers a day, one of me won't make a difference," I answered blatantly, speeding up my pace. He caught up with me in no time.

"Why are you acting so weird lately, did something happened?"

I immediately halted, I don't know why, but I just did. Mark looked at me in the eye and for the first time, he showed concern. Not that he didn't before, but his playfulness outweighed his considerate self so many times it's hard to tell if he's genuinely tactful.

"Nothing happened," I replied with a smile, hoping that would relieve him, but I think it just made me look even weirder.

"There is something... I can smell it," He furrowed his eyebrows and leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. I pushed him away, disgusted.

"Are you done? I'm going home." I literally dashed out of the school gate as fast as possible, but of course, I couldn't outrun him. He grabbed my wrist and whipped me around.

"Is this how you treat a friend?" He sounded extremely upset and I felt really bad, but I couldn't give in. There's no use in telling him anyway, it'll just cause more confusion. He thought for a while, before tightening his hand around my wrist.

"I don't want to do this," he sighed, "But you leave me no choice."

He dragged me ruthlessly along the street, with me resisting with all my might.

"What the hell- where are you going?" I screamed in distraught, drawing attention from other students nearby. They gonna think I'm being kidnapped, and I don't want that kind of infamy.

"I sense something amidst with you and the cafe, so I'm bringing you there to find out," he answered without slowing down. That's when I realised we were approaching the cafe at a rapid speed. If I don't say anything now, he's gonna barge in there and demand an answer.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you," I surrendered and his grip loosened around my wrist. Gosh, my hand almost fell off there. Mark turned around ecstatically, like a puppy waiting for his lunch. Gosh, what have I gotten myself into?

"But you have to promise NOT to tell anyone and help me, okay?" I ordered through gritted teeth, and he nodded eagerly.

And so, just a few feet from Johnny's Cafe, I spilt everything that I've kept to myself for the past month, from the first time we met to my drunken episode. Mark listened to me wholeheartedly, which gave me much assurance. After everything had been said, I felt a huge weight lift off my heart as I exhaled deeply. Maybe telling Mark was for the better.

"I knew it! I knew something was going on between Dongyoung and you!" Okay, I spoke too soon. I smacked him hard on the shoulder, pleading him to lower his volume.

"Don't make me regret this. I didn't even tell Hyejoo this much. Now, what am I supposed to do? I don't even know what happened that night," I rambled on pathetically, my panic rising to an all-time high. Mark pondered hard, and this was the first time I've actually seen him so focused on something. Seriously, is my love life the only thing he cares about? I'm flattered but no.

"Ah! I have a plan." Without explaining further, he grabbed my wrist again and dragged me into the cafe. I was too baffled to resist, and before I knew it, we were already inside.

His friends looked at us, puzzled. I had no choice but to look down, too embarrassed to face any of them again. Gosh, what is this boy scheming?

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