After an exhausting day at the office, I decided to bring one of my closest friends, Jooe, to "Momoland" - the coffee shop. It was a little gem that I found in the city a while ago and I thought it was about time I brought her here.
Jooe and I actually met when we were still interns in the office - and it all started in the mailroom. We were always stuck in the stupid basement sorting out mail and our job would involve spending the whole day delivering each envelop or package to every person in the building.
As bad as it sounds, being with Jooe made our jobs so much fun. We were pretty fast workers, and since it would just be the 2 of us in the basement, we would always blast music and fuck around, talk shit about our managers, and go out on secret coffee runs when we finished sorting the mail early.
When I say "secret," I mean we created alliances with the secretaries and receptionists at the front desk who would let us go - in return, we got them coffee too.
I remember this one time before seriously sorting out the mail, we were lectured by our manager saying we should be putting more effort in our job; be more enthusiastic, outgoing, and approachable.
Seriously? What do you fucking expect from the girls who work in the mailroom?
When we got to the basement, Jooe talked me out of being a downer, stood up, yelled at the top of her lungs, and grabbed envelops within her reach to throw into the air. That day, we literally showered and drowned ourselves in every single envelop in the basement, laughed over nothing, and played some next throwback songs - ever heard of Tearin' Up My Heart?
Even though that day didn't really have any significance, it was a moment I would always cherish with her.
...
As we got to the coffee shop, I saw Yeonwoo and Hyebin cleaning up behind the counter. I wasn't surprised, it was almost time to close for the day anyways.
Yet again, when the door opened, all I could smell was coffee heaven. However, when we got inside, the 2 workers didn't seem to be fazed about the both of us entering and they continued cleaning; so, I decided to sneak up on them by the counter.
"HEY GUYS!" I yelled.
"WAAAH" they both jumped, giving me horrific looks and Jooe a good laugh.
"What the hell Nancy-ahhh," Hyebin cries out, "you scared the shit out of me."
"Sorry," I smiled slyly and shrugged, "I couldn't help myself."
Yeonwoo was still frozen in place. However, when she finally snapped out of it, she looks behind me and sees Jooe, "Hello there, Im sorry, is there anything we could get for you tonight?"
I chuckle and say quietly, "Its okay Dabin, you don't have to be so formal, she's a very close friend of mine."
I tugged on Jooe's hand gently to bring her over to Yeonwoo and Hyebin, "Guys, this is Jooe, she also works with me at the office. Jooe, this is Yeonwoo."
Yeonwoo flashes a small smile, "It's very nice to meet you."
Then, I gesture towards Hyebin, "And she's Hyebin, the store's owner. She's the one who made "Momoland" happen!"
Hyebin giggles, "Nancy talks a lot about you, Jooe. It's great to finally see you."
Is Jooe blushing?
Hyebin continues, "Is there anything we can get you guys tonight?"
I think I might go for my usual, "Can I please have a -"
"Already on it," Yeonwoo chuckles.
"Yaahh, how did you know?"
"You always have that look when you want a caramel latte."
I puff out my cheeks in embarrassment. It was true though...
Hyebin turns to Jooe, "And what about you?"
Jooe concentrates on the menu, "Umm, I think I'd like to try out your London Fog please."
Once the 2 baristas finished making our drinks, Hyebin comes towards us after going around the counter and tells us that we are welcome to stay as long as we want, but they were going to close the shop and start cleaning.
Before Hyebin could finish her thoughts, Jooe beats me and takes the question right out of my mouth, "Why don't we help you out with that?" She then gestures around the store and says, "It looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you, and I'm sure Nancy-ah wouldn't mind lending a hand too!"
I nod my head in agreement.
"Really, you guys would do that?"
I stand up and walk towards Yeonwoo, taking the cloth from her hands and looking over my shoulder to see Hyebin, "It's what friends do. Plus, I'm pretty sure you guys want to get out of here asap."
Hyebin looks at Yeonwoo for an answer and all Yeonwoo does is flash a small smile and replies with a baby shrug.
Hyebin quietly sighs and smiles to herself, "Thank you so much guys. We really appreciate the help."
"No biggie, just treat us out next time," Jooe says as she winks at Hyebin. While they continue talking, I couldn't help but think:
Woah, is Hyebin blushing? I think I can see something going on.
Yeonwoo must've read my mind and she whispers in my ear, "Wanna bet?"
Wow, chills are going down my back. Her warmth against my neck, the close proximity between her body and mine, and her slightly raspy voice gave me goosebumps. Dear God, help me.
I hope my cheeks aren't red.
I turn to her and whisper into her ear, "Bet." She gives me a side look and smirks at me.
"Ya, what are you guys talking about?"
Yeonwoo and I turn to Jooe and Hyebin who's arms are crossed in front of their chests. I couldn't really think of anything to say, but Yeonwoo saves the day, "How hungry we are, what's it to you?"
"Ya, just curious," Hyebin pouts but continues, "anyways, we should really start cleaning up now. How about you 2 work at the front while Jooe and I clean and do inventory at the back?"
Yeonwoo and I look at each other and give Hyebin a salute, "Yes sir."
"YAA, I really can't with you 2," she pouts again and takes a hold of Jooe's hand, leading her to the back room. Before the both of them disappear, Jooe turns around and yells, "YOO, DON'T FORGET TO CLEAN. Y'ALL BETTER NOT FUCK OR ANYTHING!"
And with that, Yeonwoo and I were alone...
In silence...
With that thought running in our heads...
I mean... If it happens, it happens, right?
Uggghhh, Stop thinking like that Mcdonie...
Yeonwoo giggles a bit after glancing at me and goes towards the counter to grab another cloth, "You heard them, no funny business, princess."
"You're the one to talk," I chuckle. It's been a few weeks since I first met Yeonwoo and ever since then, we've definitely gotten closer. We would text regularly and hang out when neither of us had work, and in all honesty, I would consider her to be a close friend of mine.
Nowadays, she calls me princess because I told her a while ago that I dreamt of becoming a Disney princess when I was super young and totally admired Ariel from "The Little Mermaid." Even though it was super childish, she loved the idea of baby Nancy fantasizing about being a princess.
I also learned a lot about Yeonwoo - like how she is a HUGE dog lover and has her own dog back with her family who lives in Korea. I also learned that she is an avid anime watcher and especially loves One Piece. I've watched it a few times with her actually, and now, I can understand where she gets the thrill of it all from. She is the biggest dork I've ever met, and it is super adorable.
I think I might have a tiny crush.
"Ya, Nan-she-ah," she draws out, "do you have any good music on you? I have an aux cord."
"Yeah, catch!" and with that, I tossed my phone in her direction after selecting an playlist. A few moments later, music filled the empty room and Yeonwoo joins me at the front of the store with 2 bottles of cleaner.
"I have an idea," Yeonwoo says. She then runs to the back of the store after handing me a bottle of cleaner and yells, "THE FIRST ONE TO WIPE DOWN MOST OF THE TABLES AND PUT UP THE CHAIRS WINS. WINNER'S LUNCH IS THE LOSERS TREAT!"
"OH, YOU'RE SO ON, DABIN" but she isn't even listening to me - she's already cleaning, "ughhhh CHEATERRR."
It's become a race, and I guess we're meeting somewhere in the middle - damn, I think I could go for some Korean BBQ tomorrow. Ou, maybe get some cheesy tteokbokki too.
If I was outside watching what we were doing, I would honestly laugh - 2 grown women vigorously wiping down tables and swinging chairs over like it's no ones business. I'd say we were playing a sport - slipping and sliding, crouching and running to each table that has yet to be cleaned. The upbeat music also helped a lot - it was blasting very loudly and I was surprised Hyebin didn't come out to scold us yet.
"YA DABIN, GIVE UP!"
"NOT A CHANCE, MCDONIE!"
We were coming neck to neck, but I was winning by a table. When I was in the process of flipping chairs over, I realized that sugar was on my table - I swear I already wiped it down? After wiping it once again, I get the chair but in the corner of my eye, I see Yeonwoo sprinkling a packet of sugar on my table.
"CHEATERRRR!" I laughed loudly while chasing her around. She also began laughing and swerved between tables, making it hard for me to tackle her.
"Golden leaves looked brown to me
The world had less color without you"
The chase was nonstop, I was starting to get really tired.
"Shapes in the sky looked plain to my eyes
The world had less color without you"
We both kind of started getting tired, but she kept on avoiding me.
"I know plenty of people
With eyes closed
They don't see you like I do
Darling I do"
I couldn't stop laughing, and neither could she. Somehow, everything around us seemed a bit warmer, a bit dimmer.
"Notes on the keys meant nothing to me
The world didn't sing without you"
She eventually stopped moving and kind of stood still in the middle of the coffee shop.
"Birds in the trees fell silent for me
The world didn't sing without you"
She was looking at me with a gentle gaze, and I couldn't help but look at her and notice the way the lighting made her glow. She simply looked beautiful.
"I know plenty of people
With eyes closed"
I ran up to Yeonwoo and engulfed her in a hug by wrapping my arms around her waist. I bring her even closer by nuzzling my face in the crotch of her neck, and as if it was an instinctive gesture, she wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her chin on top of my head. We both laughed quietly.
"They don't see you like I do,
Darling I do"
When I lifted my head to have Yeonwoo's eyes meet mine, I finally realized that this song has been playing all along.
I wish I could stay in this moment forever.
As cliché as it was, I completely forgot about everything - work, cleaning, our small bet. I've never felt so comfortable and at peace in a very long time. Yeonwoo gives me a gentle smile, eyes drifting down to my lips, and the gap between us slowly closing. It feels like we were in our own world.
"Darling I do, see you"
"YAAAAAA"
"WHAT THE HELL JOOE," I hear Hyebin scream, but immediately, I jump away from Yeonwoo's embrace. The 2 of us run to the back to check up on the others after we heard another "YAAAAA".
"Yoo, is something wrong?" Yeonwoo questions as we enter the room, flustered and out of breath.
"Sorry Yeonwoo... I just sneezed..." Jooe bows slightly.
Our eyes twitched.
Fuucccckkk
"Are you guys done cleaning by the way?" Hyebin asks.
"Oh, yeah, we're pretty much done. Maybe a table or 2 left?" I say.
"Ohh, okay. The both of us are done here, I'll just count the register and you guys can go if you want. My apartment is just upstairs anyways."
Jooe speaks up, "It's okay Hyebin, we'll stay to keep you company. It shouldn't take that long, right?"
"Ah okay, thanks," she chuckles.
Once she finished counting, I get my phone and unplug it from the aux cord. The shop was silent, and as Jooe, Yeonwoo and I got to the front, Hyebin turned off the lights, and what once was a welcoming cafe turned into another one of those dark spaces at night. We said our goodbyes to Hyebin, and when Jooe left to catch a bus, Yeonwoo asks me, "Are you down to getting lunch tomorrow?"
I giggle, "Bet."
...
Hey, again. I just wanted to note that the song lyrics are not mine and are credited to Landon Pigg & Lucy Schwartz, entitled "Darling I Do."
I do suggest listening to this song as you read the table scene!
Please, tell me your thoughts on these chapters so far!
Thank you for reading, stay tuned,
- S.A