Chapter 3:

" Don't cry .. " he mumbled in a very quiet and y voice.

You didn't know what was happening. You didn't understand why he was doing the things he was doing. You didn't even know him.

Or so you thought.

Snapping back to reality, you flusteredly pushed the boy away from you, making him stumble backward.  

“W-what are you doing?” You lifted your hand and covered your mouth, trying to hide your embarrassment.

Leo didn’t respond, instead, he ignored your question and walked closer to you, closing the gap between the two of you. You eyes wandered around, looking up and down at the boy who was slowly coming closer. Each step he took, you felt your heart pounding faster and faster.

Without second thoughts, you quickly shut your eyes. Leo noticed you closing your eyes and couldn’t help but smiled a little. He placed the tissues on the table in front of you.

“Why are you closing your eyes?” The boy asked in a gentle, soft voice as if he was whispering.

You opened your eyes and saw tissues  in front of you. You were surprised by his soft tender voice. Although his appearance may look intimidating, his voice was quite soothing.

“Ah..nothing... Thank you for the tissues.” You shyly replied, looking up at him.

As you were looking at him, he noticed that your eyes were still watery. Shuffling through his pockets, Leo took out a small lollipop. He looked down at you and held the lollipop out.

“Is this for me?” You asked as he faced the other way. The boy nodded his head in response and handed the lollipop closer to you.

“Hurry and eat this. It’ll make everything sweeter.”

You nodded your head as you reached to grab the lollipop, fingers slightly brushing against each other. You flinched at the slight touch but you couldn’t help but smile right after.

“Thank you..” You mumbled in a low tone, smiling.

Leo nodded his head in response before turning and walking away. You watched as he walked away from you, awestruck by him. The boy came in like a storm and left without a word. You looked down at the lollipop that he gave you.

It was a strawberry flavored lollipop.

You looked up once more at the boy who was walking towards the exit.

Who is he..?

***

“One iced cafe latte please!” Taking out her wallet, the customer took out her card.

“That’ll be $3.50 please.” Hakyeon smiled, watching the customer slide her card on the machine.

After giving the customer’s her receipt, Hakyeon walked over to the two boys who were busy making other drinks.

“Another iced cafe latte Taekwoonieee~” Hakyeon swung his arm around the younger one, handing him the order.

Annoyed, Leo elbowed Hakyeon before grabbing the receipt. Hongbin turned his head towards the boys and shook his head.

“Ayy… You shouldn’t mess with Leo hyung. He’s in a bad mood.” Hongbin butted in, washing the dirty cups that were in the sink.

“Aniya,” Hakyeon corrected, pointing at Leo’s face, “he’s actually really happy right now.”

Leo gave Hakyeon a quick glare before turning his attention back to the order. Looking down, Leo tried to hide his small smile.

“Oh really?” Hongbin raised his eyebrow, unconvinced.

“Well, that girl hasn’t been coming lately.” Hongbin added. “You know, that girl that used to come almost every day?”

“Ah! You mean that girl that Leo always look at?” Hakyeon asked with a huge smile on his face.

“She hasn’t been coming lately so I was assuming that’s probably why Leo hyung has been in a bad mood lately.”

Before Hongbin could say anymore, Leo slammed the drink on the counter that was in front of them, making the drink spill a little.

“Here, it’s done.” Leo mumbled angrily before walking to the kitchen.

“You spilled it, Leo!” Hakyeon shouted, furrowing his brows.

“He’s probably embarrassed.” Hongbin thought, chuckling to himself.

“What?” Hakyeon turned his attention to the boy who was laughing to himself, trying to cover his mouth.

“It’s nothing.” He replied, grabbing the cup from the counter.

“If it’s nothing why are you laughing at yourself?” Hakyeon argued, looking at Hongbin.

“Shouldn’t you give the customer their drink?” Hongbin pointed at the drink, trying to change the subject.

“Ah, you’re right.” Hakyeon grabbed the drink and walked over to the ‘pick up’ counter.

“One iced cafe latte?” Hakyeon announced, looking at the woman who was on her phone. The woman raised her hand, locking her phone before getting up.

As soon as he handed the woman her drink, the cafe’s bells that were hanging on the door jingled. Both Hongbin and Hakyeon heard the bells and yelled ‘Welcome!’ with a bright smile on their faces.

Instead of greeting the new customer, Leo ignored the bells and continued his work in the kitchen. You walked in casually, returning a smile to the two boys.

“Ah, you’re back!” Hakyeon quickly rushed towards the front desk.

“Hm?” You tilted your head a little, confused by his words.

“You haven’t been coming lately.” Hakyeon explained, looking at you.

“You remember me?”

Before Hakyeon could answer, Hongbin wrapped his arm around Hakyeon’s shoulder and replied, “Of course we do, you’re the girl who always came with her boyfriend to study. ”

Your heart tightened after hearing the word ‘boyfriend’. You didn’t think anyone would notice that you came to this cafe almost every day, either with him or by yourself. Trying to ignore the feeling in your body, you gave him a  small smile. “Y-yeah that’s right.”

“You’re not with him today?-” Before Hongbin could ask any more questions, he felt someone slapping his head, making him yelp in pain. All three of you looked up and saw Leo standing behind Hongbin.

It was him. The boy from the library.

Your heartbeat began to quicken as you continued to stare at the beautiful boy. Leo turned his head and stared at you, making your heart skip a beat. Your eyes were glued to his, it was as if you were hypnotized, unable to look away.

“H-hyung! Why did you slap me?” Hongbin pouted, rubbing the back of his head.

“Get back to work..” Leo muttered under his breath softly, but loud enough for the three of you to hear.

Hongbin looked at you and smiled before returning to work, walking beside Leo to the kitchen. You eyes were drawn to him.

“Miss? Excuse me?” Hakyeon waved his hand in front of you, snapping you back into reality.

“Hm? Ah, sorry.” You apologized, turning your attention back to Hakyeon.

“Before I take your order, can I ask for your name?” Hakyeon asked, tilting his head slightly.

“My name is (Y/N).” You replied, giving him a genuine smile.

“Nice to meet you~ My name is Hakyeon but you can call me N.” He reached his hand and gave you a handshake.

Hakyeon pointed his finger at the boys who were busy making some desserts. “The boy with short arms and look like an artwork is name Hongbin. They guy next to him is Jung Taekwoon, but you can call him Leo.”  You nodded your head as he introduced the boys to you.

“His name is Leo huh..” You thought to yourself, lost in your thoughts once again. His beauty was captivating.

“Can I take your order now?”

“Ah yes, I’m sorry.” You apologized once again before ordering an iced americano.

You walked over to an empty seat nearby the ‘pick up counter’.  Placing your bags on the empty chair beside you, you watched as Leo made your drink. You knew that you saw him somewhere before but you didn’t expect him to work at the shop you always go to.

Everything that happened yesterday continued to replay in your head. You’ve never talked to Leo before nor did you realize that he worked at this cafe. You watched as his slender fingers held onto the cup as he poured the ingredients.

Leo turned his head and noticed that you were staring at him. Surprised, Leo quickly looked away, smiling, ears turning red.

You didn’t have your contacts on nor did you have your glasses on so you didn’t know that Leo was smiling to himself.

You knew that you shouldn’t be staring at him but you couldn’t help it. He was a mysterious boy who caught your attention.

You shoved your hand into your pocket and took out your phone.You wanted to keep your mind off of him.  Tapping here and there, you began to scroll through your twitter as you waited for your drink.

Moments after, Leo finished making your drink. He walked towards the ‘pick up’ counter and looked at you.

“Iced Americano,” Leo called out in a low voice.

He watched as you continued to tap and scroll through your phone.

“One iced americano?” Leo repeated, but this time a little bit louder.

Your focus was still on your phone. Unable to hear Leo’s voice, you continued to use your phone.

“This girl..” Leo mumbled to himself, walking towards you.

Not long after you took out your phone, you felt a presence behind you. Before you could turn over to see who it was, you felt the person leaning closer to you, their hot breath hitting against your neck.

Slightly turning your head, you felt your heart begin to race.Your face was only inches away from Leo’s. Placing your drink on the table, Leo turned his face toward your direction.

“One iced americano.” He whispered, looking straight into your eyes.