safe place || k.v.m

eight

work had been tiring. the entire day actually.

waking up early to get to class had been a hassle in itself; eight hours of staying seated in squeaky chairs, listening to professors talk in a way that turns normally interesting topic to a sleep-inducer students have to fight themselves through and eventually about to leave to home until work suddenly asks for help after a co-worker calls in sick is anything but an ideal day for nari.

of course, she had become worried when her manager told her that jacob had caught a cold and didn't hesitate a second to take his place after sending him a "get better soon" with a sad emoji. that said, it doesn't make her exhaust and close to non-existent motivation to work any better.

just to push her buttons even further, it feels like an unusual amount of the many customers rolling into the shop this partiuclar day seem extra frustrating to deal with. naturally, nari can't do much more than help them through their desire with a smile instead of groaning at the occasional complaints or picky orders – something which, truthfully, sounds a lot more inviting today.

in one way or another, the shop eventually reaches it closing hour and it's with a deep sigh of relief that she locks the door, cleans up one last time among the flowers and heads to the staff room.

"I know you're busy with studies so I'm really sorry for calling you in on your comp time," the manager says as they meet inside, eyes full of guilt, hands tightly clasped together in an apologizing manner.

nari isn't all too happy about it either but at least knowing that the apology is a genuine one, she just smiles at her manager, reassures that it's alright, that stuff like that happens, before parting for the day and leaving the shop.

however,

ding.

of course there has to be a cherry on top.

"a message?"

nari fishes her phone up from the pocket of her jacket, met by a message received from a certain neighbour.

[6:39pm]

fire alarm:
> hey have u eaten yet?

eaten? i just got <
got off work

fire alarm:
> didn't u have class
today?

i did,,, but cob got <
sick so i had
to fill in :/

fire alarm:
> oh shit

fire alarm:
> sooo... wanna eat
with me? 👉🏼👈🏼

you mean help <
you make food?

fire alarm:
> i'M sORRY i didn't
think my emergency
ramen was gone :(

emergency??? gdi eric <

sure, i don't mind but can <
you wait a lil while? gotta
do some grocery shopping

fire alarm:
> ofc!!! it's getting
dark tho so don't
take too long :)

"cute."

• • •

yawn after yawn escapes nari. arms on the handle of the shopping cart, she rests her weight on it while rolling her way through the many aisles of the shopping market, searching and reaching out for possibly needed ingredients, mainly for ramen and meat: "jacob eats too healthy for eric so his recipes are a no-go this time."