I hated working.

Sure, it meant I had money to live on and spending my days stuck in a clothing store wasn’t as bad as standing behind a grocery checkout counter. But working nine to five meant the majority of the prime time of my day was taken from me. It also that I normally worked six days a week dressing other people and missing out on all the fun outside of the store.

I guess it did have its perks. I had staff discount and got to know the new trends before anyone else did. And the others I worked with were just as crazy and fun loving as I was. We had our regulars who’d come in and chat for awhile and when it was quiet we’d generally end up watching ridiculous things online. Plus, I couldn’t knock watching and helping dress the cute guys who would come in to the store.

But when it was such a nice hot day like it was, no one really wanted to come in and shop, they were all out enjoying the sun or taking the drive down to the beach. The lucky bastards.

“I’m just going to go on my lunch break Jess, is that okay?” Chloe, one of the staff members asked and I nodded. I had suggested it to the girl earlier, but she decided she wanted to get ahead on sorting the stock room out. I couldn’t understand why, it would still be there waiting after her lunch break.

“Have a good lunch,” I fare-welled the blonde and sighed as I looked around the empty store. Everything had been tidied and despite being the assistant manager, Chloe had shooed me out of the store room when I had last been in there to help her. I was stuck leaning against the counter in boredom, watching the midday shoppers casually walk past. I had a longing urge to just go join them, not wanting to check the time again in case it still read the same as it had the last time I looked. I still had hours until my working day was over. And by the time I shut the store and got home it would be close to seven, I knew myself well enough to know I’d just eat dinner and blob out with my laptop until I was too tired.

And then it would all start again tomorrow morning. I groaned heavily at the thought and decided to distract myself before I truly headed down a negative path. After checking my email again, I typed in the URL for Youtube. Normally we wouldn’t watch my favourite videos, but since I was alone I typed in the words U-KISS and Bingeul Bingeul. I couldn’t be bothered waiting for the drive home before playing one of my favourite Korean pop group’s music. It just so happened that I hadn’t watched the music video to their latest song in awhile, and after buffering it, I settled into watching.

The music instantly removed my bad mood to the point that I was smiling again. I hummed along with the tune, wondering what my plain looks would appear like if I were Korean. I wasn’t ugly in any way, with my brown wavy hair and blue eyes, but I wasn’t anything beautiful like the girls over there. I envied that my idols would probably look passed me like I wasn’t there compared to the naturally beautiful Asian girls. I then focussed on my favourite, Eli, knowing he was a Korean-American and wondered if his opinion would be different. I mused over the idea, becoming completely absorbed in it.

“Uh excuse me,” an unsure, accented voice asked and I leaped visibly, my head snapping up to the customer. Immediately my cheeks flushed with colour and continued to do so and I slammed my hand down on the space bar to pause my video.

My eyes rested upon his face and I realised he was Asian. As I continued to look at him, his strong, square features and dark chocolate orbs behind a thick pair of glasses seemed to affect me more, and I blushed for the umpteenth time, trying to tear my interested orbs away. “Can, can I help you?”

“Yeah I was hoping you could help me choose an outfit,” he asked shyly, smiling lightly and I felt my easily excited stomach do a somersault. “My erm, friend’s birthday is tomorrow night, and I have not exactly been shopping in awhile.”

“Sure,” I managed to squeak out, stepping around the edge of the counter, and I approached him, my traitorous eyes wandering from his DC shoes and upwards, wondering if he was as buff as he appeared under his tee. Stopping myself, I snapped my eyes back to his face and smiled. “What kind of outfit are you after?”

“Something that is not too formal or causal.” He smiled again. “And comfortable.”

I nodded, looking around the store. Despite my obvious attraction for the boy, my professional manner finally arrived and I sought out several options just by looking around. Grabbing my choices, I ushered him towards the changing rooms and hung them all up inside a cubicle. “I hope one of these suit what you’re after.”

“Thank you,” he said, propping his glasses up further on his face and I felt like I died on the inside. I hoped to god no other customers came in at that precise moment, as I wouldn’t be able to function well knowing there was an extremely hot boy changing into clothes I picked out for him in the dressing rooms. I took a deep breath, trying to prevent any erted thoughts that may have tried to crop up, like I had dealt with now and then in the past.

Several moments later and the tall boy returned, wearing the slate blue tee with a black short sleeved shirt ed over top. He cheekily did a twirl whilst I examined the outfit and I tried not to linger my eyes on his bottom in the dark grey jeans any longer than necessary. I placed a finger to my mouth in thought. “I like the jeans on you. They fit really well.”

“You guessed my size too, not many people have since I arrived in America,” he replied and I smiled, using the information to benefit my curiosity.

“Are you from Korea?” I guessed and he nodded. “That’s cool, I like Korean culture.”

“I know.”

I looked at him with confusion. “Y-you do?”

“You were listening to U-KISS when I walked in, Jess,” he reminded with a smirk as he looked at my name tag, and I couldn’t help but allow my cheeks to colour again. “I’ll try on the other outfit.”

He disappeared then, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he did so to allow me the chance to calm down. He seemed rather observant of my ways already and slapping a hand to my forehead in frustration, I scolded myself for my foolish actions. The Korean rece again, and I almost died.

I couldn’t help but let my eyes grow wide at the green shirt over his white singlet, the boy deciding to leave it ed again. “I think this looks good too? I like green.”

“Yes,” I breathed, and then shook myself out of my reverie. “Green looks good on you.”

“By your reaction I think I will buy this,” he assured with a warm smile and I felt myself nodding, looking from his face back to his upper body again. I was sure if this had of been any other client I’d be receiving a complaint for the obvious drooling. It was way passed unprofessional, but I hadn’t exactly prepared myself to meet such a gorgeous Korean when I woke up that morning. These things only happened in movies to girls like me, and the rational side of my mind told me that it was nothing more than helping him sort out the outfit.

He disappeared into the changing room again, and soon stuck his hand out. “Here,” he called and I realised it was the other outfit. Stepping forward, I reached for the handle but instead he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the cubicle, completely shocking me. I stared at him with wide eyes, the boy just wearing his singlet over the jeans. He seemed startled by his own actions and released my hand. “I ah, this is too forward. Never mind.”

“No, please say what you were going to.”

His cheeks seemed slightly brighter. “I could tell you seem interested in me. The truth is, there is no birthday tomorrow. I walk pass this store almost every day and have been trying to get up the courage to come and speak to you in person. I did not expect you to react the way you have though.”

“You mean,” I started and then blinked a couple of times. “You came in here for me?”

He bit his bottom lip lightly and nodded. “Shameful is it?”

“No, I’m just, woahhh,” I stumbled and he smiled. I looked at his bare arms and then cursed inwardly at the move. “You like me?”

“I do.” He almost cringed, like I would be offended and that was when I felt my confidence return. He hadn’t looked over me; in fact he had been looking at me all this time. A tingle ran throughout my body and before I realised what I was doing, I had reached up to touch his lips with mine. He didn’t seem to be taken back by my sudden movement, and kissed me back, his strong arms wrapping around my waist. As quickly as I had moved to kiss him, the embrace was soon over and I blushed deeply.

“I shouldn’t have done that, it’s so unprofessional of me and I don’t even know your name,” I babbled, glancing at the carpet beneath my feet.

“Taehun,” he mentioned and I glanced up at his dizzying smile. “I’m Taehun. And I was the one who pulled you in here, remember?”

“Yes but-”

“How interesting, I never thought I would kiss someone in a dressing cubicle,” he mused and then smiled warmly. “But it can be our little secret, right?”

And with that Taehun pulled his tee over his head again. I departed the cubicle to allow him the chance to change. I noticed Chloe was back from her lunch break and was serving another customer. I hoped my face wasn’t showing everything that had just happened and that I managed to walk in a straight line. I felt ridiculous, considering it all as a dream that I would wake up from soon. I finally made it to the counter and rested against it, letting out a deep breath.

“Was it that boring you decided to clean the cubicle mirrors Jess?” the blonde asked and I went to reply but Taehun appeared. Chloe tilted her head to the side yet refrained from asking her question. The Korean approached us and I felt my heart race unnecessarily.

“How much?” he asked and I scanned the clothing quietly, looking up at him to say the price.

“Eight-five ninety thanks.” He handed me his credit card and I felt a thin piece of paper underneath it, inconspicuously taking it away from the card to ring on the purchase. I was itching to read what the note said, but waited patiently. “That’s accepted, have a good day.”

“You too, good bye,” he fare-welled and walked off grinning. Chloe was still staring at me when I hastily mentioned I was going off for my lunch. I grabbed my bag and headed over to the food court, quickly ordering myself a meal and then taking a seat. Finally I opened the note, looking at his small hand writing before reading it.

It was something I won’t regret Jess. Maybe now we could meet up outside of your store? Say on your lunch break tomorrow? Here’s my number!

- T.

Most people would think what happened was too much. But as I reread the note for the fifth time, I realised something.

I really loved my job.

The End.