Fridays were always busy. The small fast food restaurant tended to be loaded with customers whether it be through drive-thru or just at the counter. The place smelled purely of French fries and the heat from the stoves and fryers frequently became unbearable, especially in the stuffy building.

It was requested of Jungkook from his parents to get a part-time job during university so he can obtain money for himself instead of relying solely on his parents. Despite having applied to coffee shops, convenience stores, and an assortment of cafes, he decided to apply to a chain fast food restaurant that sold hamburgers. It was his last resort but due to having no working experience in the past, the fast food restaurant was the only establishment that called him back and soon gave him the job. Jungkook dreaded coming into work and always leaving smelling like a French fry, that is, until something amazing happened.

He remembered looking up at the next customer after punching in an order that day and freezing when he came face to face with her. Despite being a young adult, Jungkook was picky in his taste in girls, hence why he's barely dated anyone. It was a shock to even him that he found the girl so incredibly intriguing that he couldn't fathom what blessed him to even be breathing the same air as her, let alone talk to her.

She wasn't the most beautiful girl he ever saw compared to idols and whatnot, but she had an aura that gave off a soft and gentle vibe that Jungkook grew attached to at first glance. He recalled her wondrous eyes scanning the menu and her lips slightly pursed while contemplating on what to order. He gazed at every part of her face in that moment until she looked back at him and ordered a medium burger meal with extra bacon and a Coca-Cola.

At the time, Jungkook was so taken aback by his sudden attraction towards her that she had to wave her hand in front of his face to catch his attention. He shook his head and cleared his throat, telling her the price and handing her a ticket number. She gave him one last smile before taking her leave and if only the whole world knew how much he wanted to see her again.

Fortunately for him, he did as she walked in every other day to order a medium burger meal with extra bacon and a Coca-Cola. Her visits were so frequent that he discovered her name and she would always see his name tag and greet him every single time. He could get high off of hearing his name come from her lips. He grew so attached to the idea of seeing her that he became excited to come into work even though he looked ridiculous in his yellow polo shirt, khakis, and a yellow baseball hat.

He kept glancing at the glass double doors, waiting to see her form pull the handle while he took orders. Jungkook was so caught up in the idea of seeing (Y/N) that he punched in an order wrong and got scolded by the customer. He wasn't used to messing up things because he was practically good at everything he did, so it took a toll on the boy when he realized he messed up. However, he saw her walk in and bowed to the customer before taking his place back in front of the cash register and allowing his downfall from earlier become erased from his memory for the sake of looking presentable in front of the girl.

She graced him with a smile and said, "Hey, Jungkook. How are you today?" The man looked down and tried to resist the urge to give her a toothy grin and instead the corner of his lips tugged up ever so slightly, revealing a single dimple near his lips.

He then responded, "Other than getting scolded for getting an order wrong, I'm well," he met her dark eyes again after slightly chuckling and asked, "The usual for you?"

Jungkook noticed the uncertainty in her eyes and she looked behind her, noticing the line of people slowly forming. Looking at him, she said, "My boyfriend also accompanied me but he had to take a phone call. He told me to wait for him at the register..."

She continued talking but he zoned her out, very taken aback by her sudden comment. She had a boyfriend? He heard the door opening and he looked behind the girl's shoulder, seeing the man who was at least two inches taller than him and had a buff physique. Jungkook gulped when the man approached the register and threw his arm over the girl's shoulder. He noticed the small smile (Y/N) gave him at the physical contact.

The man's eyes averted to him and he said, "Double cheeseburger meal with a Coke," Jungkook's head snapped to the side a bit in annoyance as he pressed the order in and his tongue poked the inside of his cheek in irritation.

(Y/N) giggled and playfully slapped her boyfriend in the chest while saying, "Yah, be polite," her eyes locked on the boy at the register and she gave a warm smile while saying, "Jungkook is my friend."

So it's true; being friend-zoned is painful.

He tried to hide the hurt expression that appeared on his face when telling them the total and asking if they were eating there or to go. Fortunately for him, it was a to go order. She gave him one last smile before receiving her food and walking out the door, Jungkook's dark eyes watching the two figures leave as a feeling of sadness weighed down on him. How could he be so naive as to think the gentle and kind woman wouldn't have a boyfriend? He was living in his own fantasy world where he thought he had a chance with someone like her and it irked him that he never considered the idea. It was his own greed and confidence that deteriorated his common sense and blinded him from the possibility. Letting out an irritated sigh, Jungkook tried to put on a fake smile for the next customer.

•••

"Don't even think about leaving until you've swept every inch of this establishment. I'll check every part of this floor myself tomorrow morning and if I see one speck of dust, I'll have you cleaning toilets for the next month. Got it, kid?" His boss held a stern expression as he ordered him around. Jungkook shyly nodded and his boss gave him a sympathetic smile while patting him on the back, "The keys are in the back. Lock up before you leave."

With that, the old man left and the younger man rubbed his face in dread at all of the tasks he had to fulfill before he could go home. Today was rough and he just wanted the day to be over. It was his first time closing and he was worried he would screw up. Nonetheless, the only motivation he had was arriving home and listening to music before sleeping.

After wiping down all of the tables and chairs, Jungkook approached his list of tasks to do and grabbed a pen, putting the cap in between his teeth while checking off some boxes and then putting the cap back on and moving on to his next obligation. That given action was nonstop at this point as he went down the list. By the time he had finished sweeping and mopping every inch of the tiled floor, he felt small droplets of sweat dripping down the sides of his face, causing Jungkook to take off his hat and wipe the moisture from his skin.

His last two duties involved cleaning the flat-top grill and taking the garbage out. However, since it is relatively later in the night and the dark-haired man would not be arriving home until late, he decided to grill a burger for himself and pack it up, making sure to leave money in the cash register. Once he was finished, he cleaned the grill, locked the front doors, gathered the garbage and left through the back exit where dumpsters lie next to the door for convenience.

Placing the bag with the freshly made burger on the blacktop beneath him, he skillfully threw both bags into the dumpster without any hesitation. The young man admired his own strength for a moment before grabbing his bag of food and turning the corner that led to the entrance of the restaurant and also the path he would be taking to venture home. What he saw after abandoning the dumpsters had him stop in his tracks and nearly drop his bag of food. The dark-haired man could hear his heartbeat in his own ears as he gazed at the girl, whom was looking at the closed sign while her hands were in the pockets of her jacket, most likely avoiding the chilly air from greeting her skin.

Jungkook had no other choice but to approach her even though his confidence was crushed before his eyes earlier that day. Cheering on himself in his mind and gripping on the bag tighter than before, he slowly approached the girl he enjoyed seeing so much and cleared his throat. She was startled by the unexpected company but nonetheless nodded a hello to him.

"Hey, Jungkook..." she smiled at him but he could clearly see that her smile was fake. He analyzed her enough to know. She awkwardly chuckled and said, "I guess it's closed, huh?"

Looking around for a second and noticing they were alone because of the late hour, he looked at her from their relatively far distance and replied, "I just locked up. You don't usually come here at this time."

(Y/N) grimaced and bit her lip, looking at her shoes and saying, "I had a rough day and I thought a burger would cheer me up." Jungkook looked down at the bag in his hand and looked back at her disappointed face. His expression softened and he gained the confidence to approach her and hold out the bag to her.

She stared at it for a few moments before averting her eyes back to the taller figure in front of her. (Y/N) gave him a small smile and asked, "Isn't this supposed to be for you?"

He awkwardly looked away and responded, "I'm sure you would have appreciated this more than me," he looked at the door for the moment and an idea crossed his mind. Jungkook gave her a wide smile and said, "Come inside and I'll make some bacon for you."

Shaking her head frantically, she exclaimed, "No no, don't worry abou-" but was cut off when he already took out the keys to unlock the door and open it. He motioned for her to walk in first and she reluctantly gave him a small nod and walked into the establishment she frequented.

Sitting in one of the booths, Jungkook left her to go into the kitchen and fortunately for him, she wouldn't be able to see him. Looking into his reflection from the stainless steel fridge to fix himself, the man scoffed at the stupid hat he was wearing and took it off, ruffling his shiny hair back into shape and then adjusting the collar of his polo shirt. After doing so, he washed his hands and whipped up the bacon then placed it nicely onto the burger.

He was nervous when walking to the booth to bring her the food but nonetheless placed it in front of her and sat across from the girl. Jungkook watched as her eyes slightly lit up and he couldn't help but smile at her reaction. She caught him smiling gently at her and blushed, looking away and saying, "You're so kind, Jungkook." He was taken aback and felt his heart rate speeding up from her comment, but decided to maintain his stoic expression.

(Y/N) frowned again and Jungkook was hesitant but nonetheless asked, "Is everything okay?" The girl still wouldn't meet his eyes and mumbled, "I thought everything was okay..."

She looked up at him and saw him raise his eyebrow at her sudden statement and (Y/N) sighed and further said, "That guy you met earlier is a piece of shit," Jungkook's eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights at the use of strong and explicit language but then he couldn't help but chuckle because he would have never thought a girl with such a gentle facade could use such words.

She noticed him chuckle and couldn't help but join him. Picking up her bacon burger, she was about to take a bite out of it until an idea crossed her mind. Getting up from the seat, Jungkook's eyes followed her figure and he questioned what the hell she was doing, until she came back with a pouch of plastic utensils. Hopping back into the booth, (Y/N) took out a plastic knife and cut the burger in half, then holding one half out to Jungkook.

He was startled by her sweet action and could feel the heat rise to his cheeks. Taking the burger from her, they both ate their food in silence, however, it was a comfortable silence; no awkwardness whatsoever and Jungkook loved the fact that he could be in the presence of someone that made him feel so comfortable. They both finished their half of the burger and avoided looking each other in the eye.

The solemn atmosphere broke when he felt her hand on top of his that was folded on the table. His gaze settled on their hands touching one another's but then went to look at her face that had the brightest smile he had ever seen.

"Always stay this kind and pure, Jungkook... because if you do, I may just end up falling for those sweet traits of yours."

•

•••I had plans of writing several one-shots this summer, but the end of summer sneaked up on me and school is starting soon... nonetheless, I will try my best to update more often! Hope you enjoyed!