Breaking Point

Chapter 1

    "I'll have the usual," said Hani, leaning against the counter. The barista grinned. "Coming right up."

    Hani turned and made her way across the coffee shop, towards her friends. She sat down and gazed out the window. "It's such a beautiful day."

    A boy across the table chuckled. "Not as beautiful as me!" He stuck his tongue out at her.

    Hani rolled her eyes and threw a crumpled up napkin at the boy. "Keep telling yourself that, Minseok."

    "Where's Joy and Jongsuk?" another girl joined in. She checked the time on her phone.

    "They'll be here soon," said Minseok. "Apparently Joy had a little accident this morning and had to run back home and change clothes."

    "And Jongsuk is with her?" the girl questioned. "Are you sure they aren't doing anything else?" she smirked.

    Minseok kicked her foot, under the table. "Shut up, Chungha!" he yelled, jokingly.

    The three of them laughed.

    "Oh come on!" said Chungha. "You know it's fun to pick on them." she twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. "They need to hurry up and get together. I'm tired of waiting for them to make it official."

    "I totally agree," said Hani. "We've been pushing them for so long. I don't know what they're waiting for."

    "I know!" Chungha agreed. "They're so perfect for each other. Don't you think?"

    Hani and Minseok modded their heads in agreement.

    "What about you, Leo?" she asked the other boy across the table.

    Leo momentarily looked up from the book he was reading. "Yeah whatever."
He immediately focused back on reading his book.

    "Stop ignoring us!" Chungha joked. She reached across the table and snatched the book away from him.

    He stared, annoyed at Chungha for a couple seconds before leaning back in his chair. "Fine" he sighed. "And Hani, could you give me the address to you're parents' bookstore again? I want to donate some of my old books."

Hani started digging through her purse until she pulled out a business card and handed it to Leo.

"Thanks," said Leo.

"No problem."

"Hani! Your order is ready!" The barista yelled.

Hani got up and walked back to the counter. "Thanks, Yoonwoo." she said as she handed him her money.

"My pleasure," he replied. "You guys always make my day. I come to work everyday, looking forward to seeing you guys every morning."

The bells above the coffee shop door jingled. Hani turned to look. Joy and Jongsuk walked in and sat down with the others. Hani turned back to Yoonwoo.

"Gotta go," she smiled and slipped a dollar into the tip jar. She grabbed the tray of drinks and carefully walked back to the table. She set her own drink in her place, before handing out the others.

"Iced Americano for Chungha... Iced Hazelnut Latte for Minseok... black coffee for Leo... Mocha Frappuccino for Jongsuk... and a Caramel Macchiato for Joy."

Hani sat back down.

They all toasted to each other before taking a drink.

Minseok turned to Joy. "So what happened this morning?" he asked.