As far as I remember, I dreamed about being a barist. Brewing and preparing coffee were the only things I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to open my own coffee shop, and observe how people react in surprise of happiness, after tasting beverage that I made for them. Feel the satisfaction after hearing the words of admiration when my coffee is good, and feel the disapointment about myself when people complain about my work. Although some of them could hurt my feelings, and some would fill me with pride, I know that every one of these opinion will motivate me to do my best and to develop my skills. Which, as my aunt thought, I got through genes.

Scent of freshly grinded coffee beans, mixed with scent of hot milk, that was filling the warmly decorated coffee shop, is still in my memories as an integral part of my childhood. In every moment I can bring back this nice view, and blissful feeling of familiar place. Those sweet moments when I was sitting on lined pillows windowsill, and was looking at customers that was visiting my aunt’s shop - I felt so happy back then, nothing in this world could make me happier. I always wanted to be like my aunt. She was like unquestionable authority for me, because she did something really big and I want to do the same. Make people happy by making for them a brewed bevarage, and let them lose themselves in this one sweet moment. Let them forget about their worries. Because once their feet step out of this coffee shop, their daily life and duties will fill their minds.

Auntie Mihyun, looked at me heartily from the other side of counter, when she was preparing a mix for espresso. She called me to came closer. I slide down from soft pillows and went behind the counter, to carefully observe what she was doing. I learned a lot from her, only by watching her moves. I precisely remember every way of coffee preparation she was doing in her coffee shop. Unfortunately, when I was old enough to start official learning, everything has been destroyed.

And Auntie’s coffee shop has been razed.

When she was about to close the coffe shop, four men in suit with concentration on their faces, came in. Usually I labeled them as “important chairmans or employees of big corporations”. One look, and I knew what type of coffee they want to order. Business people need a lot od caffeine to reduce stress and need of sleep. Except that this time, they were neither a chairmans nor employees of big corporation.

That day I had no idea why my aunt told me to go to the storeroom. And why she was yelling weird things that I didn’t understand. Or why these men did what they did. Even though three years have passed since that day, and despite the fact that I was so shocked, I remember what one of these men said to me. I remember that like it was yesterday

“I’ll give you a chance. If I ever see you and recognize you, same things gonna happen to you. Don’t you ever dare to tell anyone what happend here. Since today, you are a different person.”
    Pff, big deal!

 

I let a deep sigh and opened my eyes. I looked at the empty place in front of me, where long time ago a wooden building was situated. It has been 3 years since that happend. After police found all of the evidences (well, they think they found, but I think different) and searched through every spot of coffee shop, they teared the remains down. That, anyway, were a conflagration already. Three of four man, left before the of their mission happend. First, they started a fire, and because it was a wooden building, it spreaded really easy. And when I thought that they are going to kill me, the man that stayed gave me a piggyback. Jumping over the fire and hurting himself he tried to get out of there. I couldn’t understand why he was doing such a complicated things. I couldn’t understand his intentions. He killed my aunt, saying that he is going to save me, then made a fire in the whole room, made me think that I was too naive to trust his words and at the end, he actually saved me. Something wasn’t right and I didn’t know what.

After that, when he got sued, every piece of puzzle came into its place. By saving me, he got cleared from every accusations they had made. And because of that every piece of my body wanted to kill him. They didn’t find him guilty. His version of that day was very different from mine. And even though I wanted to say something to make him a murderer, which he is, I was scared. I was scared that his previous words will come true, and he’ll kill me. So fear took control over me and even though prosecutors knew the truth, although I didn’t say anything about it, they couldn’t do anything. They didn’t have enough evidences to convict him.

I look at the empty space for the last time and turned around. It’s not the time to think about it. Since then I stopped preparing coffee and I drink only the one that someone make for me. And only when I see what that person does during preparation. Well, I know, that’s weird, I should have a big aversion to coffee. But I can’t forget about good times that it gave me.

Coffee was in my life for a long time. And I can’t give up on it, because this time is precious for me.

 

“Moon Najin! Let’s meet up, during lunch break!

I have something important to tell you!”

- XOXO Minhee.

I tore off the yellow note from my seat and smiled. Minhee was the only girl in the world that could handle my tough personality. The rest of school didn’t want to interfere with me. But this pushy at the beginning person, didn’t mind any of my protests or rejections. She just opened my heart and became my bestfriend. I don’t know what would I do without her. She’s someone who understand me and stand by my side. No matter if I’m right or not. I always wanted to have someone like that, so thanks God, I’m so happy to have her. She’s cheering me up everytime she is beside me. And I don’t care if she has something clever in mind. Usually - she doesn’t.

I hung my bag beside the table and walk out of the classroom heading to canteen. By the fact that I had gone to the place where my aunt had a cafe, I missed half of the lessons. Which probably my form tutor won’t like at all. But whatever, once in a blue moon, I can do that.

I flitted through the corridors, being carefull not to run across anyone. I had to miss whether unnecessary apologies or other conversations. I opened the door to the canteen. Seeing Minhee with several people from my class made me hestitate. Whether to go in, or stay here. You can say that I am afraid of people. Most of students know me and  treat me with a little bit of pity, that I don’t know how to interpret. Are they really sorry, or they just think that they are better than me, because of normal past?

I stopped holdng the door, and started to internally arguing with myself. To go in, or go back?

- Excuse me, can you move? - I heard man’ voice behind me, so I immediately turned around. Nobody, except Minhee, wanted to look straight into my eyes. This time, it was my turn to turn my head, unable to handle his stare. I quickly pulled away, opening the door wider and lowering my head.

Jung Daehyun, my classmate, one of these handsome guys that get what they want. But, it’s not a fairy tale, he’s not that popular that every girl in the whole school loves him. Of course, he has his own chain of girls that admire him, but mostly of them prefer to focus on studying then follow unreachable target. Unreachable, because…it’s obvious, he’s taken.

The girl that I hate the most in this school. Damn, little bitc...ekhem. Since Daehyun is popular, so she is. I bet you know this natual rule, about popular guy being with a popular girl, right? So, here we have, Lee Jiyeon. Ideal daughter, whose father is a chairman of local network of cafes. He had started his bussiness, at the same time as my auntie. But his coffee is… terrible. Tastes like minced clods or something. Since the whole beggining, he has sought to only one thing. To make as much money as possible. His concern started to work, exacly after my aunt’s cafe disappeared. I have a lot of contempt toward this man, so…

- Najin! - I heard someone calling my name, so I looked aroud. Minhee was waving at me, encouraging me to come. With a small hestitation, I sighed trying to find the courage. I sat next to her, doing my best to ignore glares, that other people on this table were throwing at me.

- As everyone’s here, - Minhee started, looking around - we can talk about what are our class going to prepare for this year’s festival - she said and gave each of us a sheet of paper.

Ah, right. I forgot to mention, Minhee is our class president, so usually she’s in charge of organising those kind of things. Like festivals, school decorating, events etc. - Any ideas?

- Most of classes are gonna do something like restuarants, boardgames competitions, Mystery Houses, even simple things as photobooths going to be there. - said boy, that was sitting opposite to me. - I think we should do something more… original.

- Fashion tips? - offered a girl next to him.

- Oh, please… - groaned the boy next to Minhee - Who is gonna visit us then? I thought you wanna win this time.

Next thing I forgot to tell you. To win, we have to gather as much guest as we can. Then, we can go for a trip at the seaside. So that’s why, this year every class is doing its best to win.

So suddenly, everyone started to argue, about what we should to. Only me and Minhee were sitting quiet. I know that she can’t handle it for long, and in a while she’s going to start yelling at them. But I couldn’t do anything to prevent her. I didn’t know how.

- Hey, what about coffee shop?

Immediately, table went quiet and everyone raised their heads, to look at the person that just came. Personally, I jumped on my seat, hearing his voice for the second time today in such a short period. Minhee looked at me, so I mouthed her that there’s no way I’m going to prepare coffee.

- Aaah, as expected Daehyun. Expert of accurate ideas - Fashion Tips Girl commented. - I’m in.

- You fool, who is going to be the barist then? We have no one. - said the same boy that was not agreeing with her ealier.

- Wasn’t Minwoo recently doing a barist course, Minhee? - asked Daehyun, looking at her.

For your information, Minwoo is her brother. Same age, same class. But they aren’t twins.

My bestfriend nodded and sighed. Lately, she wasn’t getting on well with him, so I know that it can be a bit hard for her to ask.

- Ok - Minhee finally said something - Do you agree with this idea? - she asked, looking at everyone separately, and when her stare came at me, she winked. Then she continued. - So, Minwoo is going to do coffee, me and Jihoon will help him. - She decided, pointing the guy beside her. - You guys, are going to gather ingredients and promote our class - she directed her words to the four of people, sitting on the other side of table. - And you Daehyun... - she looked at him - You will take care of decoration, with Najin.

- No problem - he shruged and leaved.

- Yeah, ok. - I said, resting my head on my hand. After a while I realized that she’s leaving me with this guy alone with decorations. - What, wait, why?!

- Because I know that you don’t like to play with coffee. - She winked at me. Again. - That’s why I gave you a task, that have nothing to do with it. You’re gonna thank me later, now go, get yourself something to eat.

But I was still wondering, is that what she really wanted to say or is there something more, that I don’t know.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Sooo here it is! First chapter. It took me a while to translate it from my native language... but I did it. I'm sorry if there are any of grammar mistakes, wrong used words or smth, English is not my first launguage. I think the next chapter is going to be longer, so please, wait for it! 

Thank you, see you soon

LilyanGom