"I really can't go tonight Han, I have work." I told him as we walked down the stairs, "that's a bummer, Minjee and I really wanted all the three of us to go." He said shrugging his shoulders, "maybe next time," I said, as we turned the corner I suddenly bumped into someone. "Ow!" "I'm really sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." The person said reaching out a hand, "it's okay," I said grabbing the hand and stood up.
Once I got a better look at the person It was Sang-Min, he had a slight smile on his face as he scratched his head. "Let me help you with these, they must be very heavy," he offered as he picked up the books. I and Han just stood their stunned to speak, "where are you headed to?" He asked, "Teachers office," i nervously replied, "okay." He said as he started walking.
We ran up to him as we whispered among ourselves, "Omg, sang-min is helping us!" Han whispered.
As Sang-Min walked alongside us, the school corridors seemed to brighten, and the atmosphere lightened. My heart raced, caught between the intrigue of this unexpected encounter and the mundane reality of our everyday lives.
"Thanks for helping us," Han finally blurted out, breaking the awestruck silence. Sang-Min chuckled, "No problem. It's nice to help out fellow students." His easygoing demeanor made the situation feel oddly comfortable.
As we reached the teacher's office, Sang-Min handed me the books with a smile. "Well, here you go. Good luck with whatever you're working on." I thanked him, still somewhat mesmerized by the surreal nature of the moment.
As he walked away I couldn't get my face off him, even the way he walked was majestic. "Oh, Hae-Joon thank you for bring the books for me." The teacher said as he spotted us, "no problem Mr.moon." I replied placing the books on a table.
As Mr. Moon went through the books, I found my thoughts drifting back to Sang-Min. It was as if a subtle shift had occurred in the routine of my ordinary high school life. Han nudged me, snapping me out of my reverie.
"Dude, Sang-Min is like, the coolest guy ever. Did you see how effortlessly he helped us?" Han whispered excitedly.
The school day continued, but my thoughts lingered on the encounter. After classes, I headed out without Han because I could be late to work not even a minute late.
Work and school wasn't hard to balance since I worked at a small cafe and was already a straight A student, but this is one thing my parents don't know about. Since I wasn't allowed to do anything instead of going to school and church, I got a job behind their back. So when I have work on certain days I'd lie about going to bible study with Han, and they have bought it ever since.
And all the money I make I save every single penny of it, I couldn't spend them money because mom and dad will be suspicious about it. So I just decided to save it up for the near future cause, it might come in handy one day.
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"Thanks for ordering, your drink will be served in a few minutes ma'am." Working in front and out back wasn't very hard, I actually enjoyed doing something that was not school or church related. All my life revolves around school and religious activities and honestly I was sick of it, the cafe was like my escape from all of that.
"Here's your drink ma'am," I handed the lady her drink, "what a nice young man you are." The lady complimented as she handed me a tip and left. "Wow Hoon, you're on a roll today. Customers really love you!" Manager Kim rejoiced as she appeared behind me and roughly patted my back. For a girl she was very strong.
"How about you take a break, you've worked way to much today." She suggested, "it's okay I'm totally fine, I'm about to clock out in an hour or two so it's fine manager Kim." I remarked, "you sure?" I smiled and nodded. "Okay buddy," she patted my back and went off.
Seconds later a group of boys that seemed familiar walked in, after I looked at them carefully I realized they were Sang-Mins friends. "What were they doing here?" I thought. "May I help you guys?" I nervously asked, one guy looked up at me and smiled.
"Yes please, we will take 3 Americano's, 2 boba's, and one chocolate fudge cake slice." He ordered, "is that all?" I asked, "yup that's all." The guy smiled. "Well that will be 50,461 won, how would you like to pay?" "Card please." He said handing me a card.
"Did you get Sang-Min anything?" One of the guy asked, "You know he doesn't like coffee or sweet stuff, he also told us not to worry about getting him anything." The guy replied. "Here's your card." I handed him the card back, "it'll be ready in a few." "Okay, well be back in a few than." He said as they all walked out.
I sighed in relief as I walked over to make their drinks.
As I prepared their drinks, my mind kept drifting back to Sang-Min. I wondered why he wasn't with his friends at the cafe. Perhaps he had other plans or responsibilities. The rhythmic sound of the coffee machine seemed to echo the beat of my curious thoughts.
As the clock ticked, the group of boys were nowhere to be seen, I wait a few more minutes until someone finally walked in. "Are yo-" I paused as I saw who walked in, it was Sang-Min. "Oh hey, I didn't know you worked here." He stated, "What are you doing here?" I asked feeling my face turn slightly red. "I'm here to pick up my friends orders," he replied. "Right, I'll get that for you," I grabbed the already made drinks and brought it to him.
Sang-Min looked at me with a friendly smile as I handed him the drinks. "Thanks, Hoon. Didn't expect to find you working here," he remarked, his gaze meeting mine. "Yeah, it's a part-time gig." I responded, trying to keep the conversation casual.
As he left the cafe with the orders, I couldn't shake off the thought that maybe, just maybe, there was more to these chance encounters. The threads of connection between us seemed to weave a story beyond the confines of school corridors and work shifts.
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"How was Bible study dear?" Mom asked as I walked in, "it was fine," I replied taking off my shoes and hanged my jacket up. "Care for supper?" She asked, "no thanks, I had a little snack already." I replied as I entered my room.
"What a long day!" I jumped on my bed and my face buried in my pillow. I turned on my back my eyes facing the ceiling and suddenly a thought of Sang-Min appeared, I smiled by the thought of him. His smile, his voice, his eyes, and his hair, everything was so perfect on him. I could look at him forever, I wish I could see him every day. He so perfect in every kind of way even when I see him, I get butterflies in my stomach, my heart flutters and my cheeks turn bright red.
But I couldn't feel this way for him, he is a guy and I am too. It's against my religion and against my parents to fall in love with the same gender. But, do I really like Sang-Min? Or do I just like the thought of seeing him and talking to him for hours and hours? I don't know and I don't think I ever want to find out, because a person like him could never like me back and it's impossible for us to be together because of the big wall between us.
"Maybe it's best if I just stay unknown in his world."
To be continued