“Don’t forget I expect the full translation submitted by midnight on Sunday.  Have a good weekend.”

The relief that Summer felt at being dismissed was quickly trampled with the reminder of her assignment, but nevertheless she was glad to be packing up her laptop and wrapping her coat and scarf around her as she prepared to escape the building and step into the deep of winter.  As she slipped into the hallway she was joined by her best friend Mei, who voiced the groan that had built up within her.

“Next time I don’t start a translation until two days before it’s due, shoot me,” the girl muttered and Summer couldn’t stop herself from letting out a snort, nudging the other gently with her elbow.

“Mei you’ve been saying that for the past three years.  If you actually manage to do it before we graduate it’ll be a miracle,” Summer said, pushing open the door and shivering as the frigid air met any exposed flesh.  The Japanese girl was just about to reply when Summer’s ringtone sounded from her pocket and she quickly dug into it, pulling out the phone and frowning when she saw her father’s name flashing across the screen.  “Dad?  Is everything alright?”

“Well, no one’s dead or injured,” the man on the other end started and immediately Summer’s stomach clenched, that definitely didn’t mean everything was alright.  “Your mother and I have been having a discussion.  Remember a month or two ago when we said you had to slow up on your spending?”

“Uh, yes?” Summer replied tentatively, causing Mei to look over at her curiously.

“Yes.  Well we just got the latest statement and we’re disappointed to see you haven’t listened to us…” he trailed off, and she wondered whether he had planned this for dramatic effect.  “Your mother disagreed with me at first, but we’ve come to the decision that we’re cutting off your allowance immediately.  It’s time to take some responsibility and find yourself a job.”

“I… see.  Uh, well thank you for letting me know.  Was there um, anything else?” Summer asked, unsure of how to respond.  But there was nothing except a few words of encouragement and a reminder that the last sum of money had only been transferred a week ago.  Numbly she signed off and slowed to a halt, simply staring at the device in her hand.

“Is everything okay?” Mei asked softly, and Summer dragged her gaze away from the phone to meet her friend’s, shaking her head slightly.

“My parents just cut off my allowance,” she said and Mei let out a gasp.  It seemed she was about to say something that was soaked in pity and Summer quickly shook her head again in warning.  Instead the girl pursed her lips, slipping an arm under hers.

“This calls for a hot chocolate at our old haunt.”

“Mei… this is the kind of thing that got my allowance taken in the first place.”

“Yes, well this is needed and therefore it’s my shout.  Now come on,” Mei insisted, not waiting for an answer before she picked up her pace and dragged Summer along behind her.  The blonde knew there was no use trying to fight the girl on this one and resigned herself to being led to the cafe they visited almost every day.

____________________________________________________________
 

If anything, it was at least pleasant to step into the warmth of the cafe, Mei holding the door open for Summer as they entered, biting down on her lip softly before speaking.  “On the positive side, at least your study and dorm are already paid for.”

“Won’t make much difference if I can’t afford to feed myself,” Summer mumbled and Mei rolled her eyes at the drama, before nudging the girl towards the tables and prancing to the line waiting to order.  With a sigh Summer scanned the area, heading for one of the only tables free and shrugging her jacket off before slipping into the seat.  Grabbing her phone she quickly logged into her bank account, calculating she would only have enough money left for a couple more weeks if she limited her spending to food and any necessary travel.  Surely that would be long enough for her to find some crappy job somewhere.  Maybe she’d end up being a gas station attendant, or at one of the tiny convenience shops that mostly consisted of ahjummas sitting out the front on buckets shredding cabbage for kimchi and gossiping about the neighbourhood.

“Frown upside down, pumpkin.”  The voice snapped her out of her daydreaming and Summer looked up to see a familiar Korean woman taking a seat opposite her.  She wished the smile she gave was a little less watery because Seoyeon was genuinely one of her favourite people she had met while in Seoul.  They had met in this very cafe when the barista had handed Summer her drink without putting the lid on properly.  As a result when she turned to leave it had popped off and coated both her and the person behind her in burning liquid.   That person had been Seoyeon and instead of being angry or frustrated she had simply told her not to worry and cleaned them both up.  She was another regular and so they had seen each other frequently, always exchanging words when they did so.

“Sorry unnie, I’ve had a bit of a bad day,” Summer apologised and the Korean frowned, leaning against the table and inquiring as to what was wrong.  “I’m absolutely terrible at money management and now my parents have cut off my allowance.  Now I’m going to have to find all my meals in dumpsters.”

Despite Summer being upset Seoyeon couldn’t help but chuckle, settling herself quickly and smiling at her softly instead.  The smile grew knowing as an idea seem to form and Summer looked at the older woman curiously.  “You know what Summer?  I think I know of a job going.  Let me check it out and I’ll get back to you tonight.”

With the offer Summer perked up, her eyes growing wide.  “You would really do that for me?” she asked and the woman nodded, hearing her name called from behind the counter.  With a quick farewell Seoyeon was striding across the cafe and Summer was feeling ever so slightly better.