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The first time I properly met Lee Jeno was in Jaemin's café near my university. I had arrived late, my heels clicking against the ground as I ran towards the café, clutching my bag towards my chest. I loved speed and I craved it; it was the only way to calm down my mind that was always working. I breathed heavily, pushing through the doors before running into Na Jaemin who jumped back in surprise.
"Oi!" Jaemin said, frowning at me. "Relax, Jesus. You're always running around—Did you just run in your heels?"
I rubbed my nose, making a face before throwing my braid over my shoulder.
"I'm late," I told him, bouncing up and down on the same spot. "I'm late, Jaemin—give me coffee! I have.... Three minutes until my practical class with Doctor Onew, and—"
"We don't have any Arabica beans today," Jaemin told me but I was already running to the counter, snapping my fingers at the new part-timer who looked up at me. He had a blue apron on, his hand wiping a cloth against the table.
Lee Jeno—He was the president of my club, Track and Field. I saw him around often, I just never talked to him.
"One expresso," I told him, rummaging through my bag. Where was my wallet? Goddamnit, where was my wallet? "Two shots! Fast. Now."
"Uh..." He blinked, his eyes going to Jaemin who was behind me. "We don't have—"
"Now, boy!" I barked, the male placing the cloth calmly on the counter before eyeing me carefully. I heard Jaemin sigh behind me. It didn't take long before the part-timer placed the expresso in front of me, his face unreadable. I smacked my lips, lifting the coffee to my lips before gulping it down.
"It's hot!" he suddenly said but I had already burned my tongue, squealing at the heat. I yelped, a hand going to fan my red tongue. The male shook his head, placing a cup of cold water in front of me, which I grabbed and downed when I felt it.
The jitters.
Oh no.
"W-What..." I suddenly felt my fingers shake. "What k-kind of coffee did you give m-me?"
"An expresso," the guy said, his eyes running over my face.
"What kind?!"
"Robusta beans."
"I need to run!" I burst out, pushing myself away from the counter and running out of the café to make my way to the nearest tracks. My heart pounded in my ears and I sped through the university to the tracks when I heard a voice behind me.
"Hey!" A male yelled. "Hey!"
But I didn't look back, my legs working their hardest while my body buzzed from the caffeine of the Robusta beans.
"Hey!" the voice was closer now and before I knew it, my braid was yanked back and I yelped, skidding to a stop, my face distorted.
