“That would be $3.35, ma’am”, the nicely dressed business woman handed me her credit card for payment, before taking the hot black coffee from my grasp, and the over priced biscotti that lay on the counter beside the register.

        I handed back the small plastic card between my index and middle finger, sniffing and rubbing my nose as I did; due to the stupid cold weather that had just begun.

        Without even a minute ‘thank you’ finding its way out of , the business woman left the counter, and through the door. 

        I prayed for the day to be over, I wanted to go home and just lay in bed. But it didn’t seem like God was on my side. Work lasted for another couple of long hours, making and giving non-appreciative people, in nice, well-worn suits, expensive coffee, then watching them leave. 

         Now for the worst part, because of my being only 16, I have no car to drive and not enough money in my pocket to call a taxi over to take me home. Not that the walk to my house was anymore than 2 miles away from the café, but today was such a drag, and I was getting sick. 

        I skipped school the next day, due to my cold that magically got worse during the night. These are the times I treasure my bed more than anything else in the world.

        Without eating anything other than chicken noodle soup and getting out of bed only to go to the bathroom; tomorrow came. My fever was at 99 degrees Fahrenheit. How did I know? Mother had to stick that metal thing in my mouth for who knows how long. The taste of that end is horrible! 

        By the time school would have ended, I got a call from my best friend. I didn't answer it, because I simply didn't feel like talking.

        As I listened to her voice from the answering machine, I could only remember her wishing me to get well. She also went on with the list of work I had to do, but with the limited books I brought home from school, I couldn’t even do half of that list. It’s not like I was going to do any work, anyway.

        Not until I feel better. 

        All throughout the week, I stayed home, in bed, under the thick and comfortable covers, away from the winter outside.

        I felt bad that I couldn't enjoy the first few days of winter; especially when it was my favorite season.

        My cold had finally disappeared, and I got back to school, happy that I could blissfully walk around, but tired because I missed a test and had a pile of make-up work to do. I got to work again, after school, and an unfamiliar face walked through the door.

        I’ve seen him around in school, and I had an undeniable gut feeling that he was in my class, but I’d never seen him around this place. This is embarrassing.

        He came closer to the counter with his hands deep in the pockets of his jacket, looking around the room; his eyes shifting left and right, and then to me.

        By the time he was finished observing the room, he had reached the counter, and took his hands out from his pockets. I looked at the buttons of the register, wishing he wouldn’t recognize me.

        But, again, God wasn’t on my side, and he said, loud enough for me to pierce my deep thoughts, “Aren’t you Park Minrin?" 

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A/N: Welcome to my other new fic! Actually, I've written this a long time ago, but I'd like to share it with aff. ^^ In the foreword, we meet a  surprise character! Which probably isn't a surprise anyway. I don't think I'll update this very fast, but I hope the people who will read it will still like it. ^^ Comments and subs are very loved-loved-loved! Thank you! :D (I'll have a graphic for this fic soon.. Too lazy to make one as of now. xD)