This side of paradise ✅

♡ 5 ♡

Soo Min

I've been feeling really anxious and I've been tapping my feet all morning while waiting for Jihoon to come. I woke up at six even though my work starts at 8, I haven't gotten any proper sleep because I keep on fidgeting around my bed that's why I decided to just give up and prepare myself for my first day at work.

"Where are you now Park Jihoon" I said as I impatiently fiddled with my hands. I don't know if I'm just being anxious but I feel like he's taking too long.

An eternity later, I heard someone knocking on my door so I opened it. Jihoon was holding a plastic in his hands with a smile on his face.

"Good morning"
"What took you so long?"
"I'm not late, you're just early"

I rolled my eyes and just ignored him; I wouldn't scold him this time because he's doing a favor for me. He took out the food inside the plastic bag that he held awhile ago,

"What do you have there?"
"Instant ramen"

I chuckled and laughed lightly, even though he's so generous and food is his life, I think he just can't cook.

"Yah, don't laugh, I made those with full effort"
"Really? I'm not laughing, it's just cute"
"Who's cute? Me?"

My smile faded. I furrowed my eyebrows and pretended to retch. Jihoon is nice but sometimes he's just too confident.

"Let's eat" I said trying to divert the topic.

He smiled at me like a kid which made his eyes disappear and his fluffy cheeks lift up. I furrowed my eyebrows at him and continued to slurp on my noodles.

"Why are you being cute? "
"No, I'm not, I am naturally cute"

I almost spat my food but luckily, I didn't. I am currently dying from the second-hand embarrassment this has caused me. I cannot deny he's cute but he doesn't need to emphasize that. 😭

~~~~

Jihoon insisted that he walk with me going to the bookshop since it's still early and he would also stop by to pick up Aunt Hyeori's laundry and go home to watch TV after that. A few meters away from the bookshop, I stopped walking. I don't know why but my chest started pounding and my palm started getting sweaty.

"Go on, give them your best shot"

I stood there frozen and still don't know what to do. I feel nervous and overwhelmed.

"Hey, Min, you'll be okay. Just smile, don't worry I'll try visiting you later, I just have to go and pick up aunt Hyeori's clothes from the laundromat"
"Do you think I can do this?"
"Yes, you can! You've come all the way from Seoul and you are a very strong girl, now go"

I took a deep breath and waved goodbye to him. I got inside the bookstore and saw Film fixing some books.

"Hi Film, good morning"
"Hi Min, it's your first day, right? So, are you ready?"
"I'm nervous"
"don't be, work here is just easy"
"I do hope so"
"So, shall we start the orientation? Though it's not that formal, I'll just get you familiar with how things work here"
"Sure, I'll be listening attentively"
"Okay, first up is the books, books can be bought or borrowed..."

I listened to her attentively and took notes of the details about the products. The borrowing and buying of books are a bit complicated but I can handle it. And the rest of the other school supplies are just for purchase. I think I can handle work here, plus Film is a very nice girl.

"...and lastly, students come here to study and read usually at 3 or 4 in the afternoon"
"How about you Film? What time do you usually go to class?"
"I have classes in a few minutes, at exactly 9:00"
"oh, good luck"
"And by the way, Unnie- yah, don't worry, you can have a day off during weekends"
"Hmm, I actually don't think about that"