- chapter two : hwang hyunjin -

The Four Seasons Café was still as busy as usual. This summer had been one of the most busy years ever. I'm not sure if it's because the corona virus had died down in our state, or because everyone decided to move to states where masks weren't mandatory. Either way, it was so busy nobody had gone on break. It was the middle of our evening/after school lunch rush. I was exhausted and my whole body was sore. I was mostly making drinks with shots of espresso in them, but also just helping out wherever it was needed. As the rush finally began to slow down, Ashley and I started catching up and chatting while finishing up some drinks. "Ah the Wi-Fi's not working!" she suddenly complained. I sighed exasperated and walked over to her side and stared at the iPad. Then the music stopped playing as the Wi-Fi's disconnection went through the usual process of annoying us even more. "You finish the drinks over there, I'll try to fix it," I tell her. Ash moves out of my way and walks to the bar to make the drinks. I mess around in settings, disconnecting and connecting the Wi-Fi, and eventually got it to work. "I got it!" I cheer towards Ash. She grins and she drops ice in the cold brew and americano. "Sweet! Wanna get our tunes back on?" I nod and open the Sonos app and immediately going to my playlist I created called 'Just Good Acoustics'. I press shuffle and get back to our Square app.

"eight" by IU and SUGA comes on and I smile, remembering the euphoric feeling I got from when I first listened to this song. I cash out drive thru and hand them their drinks, telling them to have a nice day. I close the window gently and make sure no other cars are in drive before turning back to Ashley who was cleaning up the bar. "I'm going to go wipe down tables really quick and then go in the kitchen to wipe that down as well," I said. She nods, letting me know she heard. I walk over and grab the spray bottle and rag from beside the office/storage/dishwashing room. I clean all the tables off and put the two back before heading to the kitchen.

I grab a rag and start wiping everything down. I was wiping off the deli's sandwich making area when I heard the familiar creak of the door opening out front. I didn't glance up, as normal, and continued wiping down everything. I could faintly hear the sound of "Puzzle Piece" by NCT come on and I smiled. One of my favorite acoustic songs. I finished cleaning the Deli when I heard my coworker come walk towards the front area. I turned around and my first thought was, You're definitely not my coworker. It was Stray Kids' Hwang Hyunjin.

"Uh hi," I greeted him shocked. "Hello! I'm Hyunjin! Your friend said you're playing the music?" I nod just as another K-Pop song starts playing. "Do you know Stray Kids?" he asks smiling and leaning against the doorway. "I nod again, flustered. "Yep. Since debut," I answered. He nods to me and giggles. "So I don't need to introduce myself but I just wanted to say hi! It's nice to see a Stay in small town like this." I smile softly and nod, my cheeks warming up. "I really didn't expect to see you here Hyunjin. What are you guys doing in town?" "Oh we heard about Mount Rushmore that's not that far way from here and wanted to check it out, but our managers wanted to film something in the Montana Jail." I nod understandingly and wiped the sweat off my forehead and upper lip. "Well I just want to say that I appreciate you Hyunjin. You always make my day a little brighter!" I tell him.

He smiles and laughs again. "I'm glad to hear that and thank you. It's hard to find genuine and kind Stays so I'm glad I met you. Maybe you could be in our video shooting? I'll have to confirm with my manager but I think you'd fit in well! We just want to have a chill vacation. Maybe you could show us your favorite spots?!" I smile and nod in affirmation. "That'd be fun! I have to warn you I'm a little shy though," I tell him. He shrugs and replies, "Don't worry. I'll take good care of you." The two of us smile at each other. "Did you get something to drink yet?" I ask him. He shakes his head. "Okay, I can make you something! What do you like?" "What do you recommend?" he questions. "I love sweeter drinks so a vanilla bean and mocha latte is my favorite," I answered grinning. "I'll get that!" he replies happily. "Iced?" I ask. He nods and the two of us leave the kitchen. He stands in front of the bar where I see someone I assume to be a manager or translator. I go behind the bar and make Hyunjin's drink. I hand it to him once I finish and assure him it's on the house.

"It's the least I can do for you after everything you've done for me."

- Jean M. -