Rochelle sat staring sightlessly at the oil poster that perched stretched across the wall opposite her.  It was a slow day at the mechanic shop where she played the admin role and already she had done all the paperwork there was and started spinning around on her chair lazily to pass the time.  Now she sat with one hand cupping her chin and the other beating out a steady rhythm against the desk.  Normally she enjoyed the quiet moments when they appeared, but at this point she was praying for the phone to ring.

 

Hearing the sliding door to the office open she jumped up in anticipation, only slightly disappointed to see it was one of the workers as opposed to the next customer.  Kim Dongjun had apparently found the workshop just as boring and by the look of him was quite glad to relax for even just a few moments in the air conditioning.  He was one of the newer employees at the shop, a first year apprentice who had started with them six months prior.  She could still remember him on the first day, silent and polite as he entered the strange environment.  The thought made Rochelle chuckle under her breath as she gazed at the boy who stood before her now.

 

The summer heat had obviously gotten the better of him and the blue jumpsuit the mechanics wore was stripped down and tied around his waist, revealing a black singlet underneath.  It clung tightly to his torso; one that Rochelle had thought more than once shouldn’t belong to an eighteen year old.  Flashing her a polite smile, he made his way over and as he drew closer she noticed a light sheen to his skin that gave away the reason for his half professional form.

 

“Quiet out there?” she asked as he reached the counter and rested against it with a nod.

 

“Yeah, we just finished a service and have nothing till one-thirty,” he answered in accented English and Rochelle’s eyes drifted to the clock, which read twelve forty-five.

 

“So you thought you’d come visit?”

 

“Well of course, you have air con in here and I need to hand you the last customer’s information,” he said with a grin as he handed a slip of paper across and she rolled her eyes playfully.  “And your lovely company of course.”

 

Pushing himself away from the counter, he made his way around it and crossing over onto her side he casually leant against the desk she occupied.  His almond gaze focused down on where she sat next to him and she tried her best not to struggle under it.

 

“Looks hot out there, I’m glad I’m in here,” she muttered pathetically as she noticed a line of sweat that trailed down his chest and he let out a laugh, reaching up to wipe his forehead.  Rochelle had never before admired someone so young – being several years older than him – but despite having often scolded herself she couldn’t help but find the boy highly attractive.  It didn’t help that he was one hundred times more polite and mature than anyone else at the workshop.

 

“Are you busy Rochelle?” he enquired and she shook her head vigorously in response.

 

“No, everything’s done.”

 

“Good, because I wasn’t actually going to go,” he said cheekily and she let out a tinkle of laughter.  He watched her with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips and a moment later he slapped his leg, an idea forming.  “I’m going to get us a drink, what would you like?”

 

“Ah... a coke zero, please,” she stumbled over her words quietly, unsure of whether to take up his generosity and he nodded once before heading to the back door.  She watched him disappear, her eyes staying glued to the empty spot that had housed him a moment ago.  It wasn’t often that members from the workshop would waste their time with her in the front office, in fact mostly they only appeared to drop in forms or inform her of whatever news she was entitled too.  Dongjun was probably the most regular of the employees and Rochelle wondered whether it had anything to do with the warm smile and cup of coffee she offered him on his first day.

 

The sound of the front door jingling snapped her back into reality and she glanced up to find a short, balding man scuffing his shoes on the mat.  Giving him a friendly smile, she waited for him to approach, exchanging pleasantries about the sweltering heat outside.

 

“How may I help you today?”

 

“I just got a phone call to say my car was ready?” he stated and she nodded, picking up the slips of paper that Dongjun had given her a few minutes previous.  Shuffling around she passed over the forms and announced the price, the man pulling out a shiny, plastic card.  She heard the back door swing open once more as she settled the transaction, biting down on her lip as she stretched to claim the man’s signature and felt eyes on her.  Handing the man back his card and keys she urged him through to the workshop and spun around to face Dongjun.

 

He was standing, waiting patiently with two cans of soft drink in his hands and the moment the front door had closed once more he stepped forward, placing one on the desk.  Rochelle thanked him as she flopped back into her seat, opening the can with a satisfying hiss.

 

“To summer days, maybe I should bring my lunch in here more often,” Dongjun offered a toast and she obliged, bumping her can against his with an amused expression.

 

“Surely it’s much more entertaining and fun to have lunch with the boys?” she said sceptically as he took a mouthful of his drink and he shrugged his shoulders, looking indifferent.

 

“It can be a laugh, but I find your company much more satisfying,” he told her and she tried her best not choke on her coke, failing miserably as she spluttered and his face grew full of concern.  “Rochelle, are you ok?”

 

She managed a nod through her coughing, trying to ignore the pressure of his hand as it rested against her back and when she finally collected herself he was looking at her rather sheepishly.

 

“I’m sorry if I offended you in anyway,” he apologised and her blue-grey eyes grew momentarily wider before she shook her head defiantly.

 

“No, I just... no.”

 

He was smirking at her now and placing his can gently down beside him, he tilted his head to take the girl in.  Rochelle couldn’t help but shift nervously under his gaze, running a hand through her short hair.

 

“Chelle, do you find me attractive?” he asked almost innocently and she was glad she hadn’t taken another mouthful, knowing that it would probably be covering the wall in front of her.

 

“W...what?!”

 

“Come on Rochelle, I may be young but I’m not stupid,” he said seriously and she averted her gaze, suddenly finding the black can in front of her highly interesting.  In doing so she missed the look that crossed his face, that of someone who has had a suspicion confirmed, with a hint of something much more devilish.  “I take that as a yes.”

 

“SorryifitmakesyouweirdI’msomucholder.” The words spilled out of her in a jumble and he leant forward in an attempt to try and catch hold of what she was saying. It seemed to be enough and he furrowed his brow at her words.  Rochelle’s breath hitched in as he leant in even further, grabbing a hold of both arm rests and effectively trapping her in the chair.

 

“You really think I come in here just for the air con?  I’m not exactly being subtle here Chelle,” he said, his voice low and husky and Rochelle swallowed thickly.  Having him this close to her was causing her to react in a way that she never expected from someone his age.

 

“I, um...well I guess-”

 

“Shut up,” he cut her off and the next moment his lips were pressed against hers, waiting for her to respond.  It only took a few moments before she did so, her hands reaching up to cup his face as their lips moulded together seamlessly. Dongjun’s tongue at her lips, begging for entry which she quickly allowed, their tongues massaging each other as the chemistry between them exploded.  Both were out of breath when they eventually pulled back, Rochelle’s eyes searching the younger boy’s face.  “Every time I come in here and we exchange stupid words about weather I’ve wanted to kiss you.”

 

“Even from the first day?”

 

“Even from the first minute,” he murmured with a grin and she smiled gently at him, reaching for his hand and resting hers on top as she bit down on her lip.

 

“Well, that’s just too many minutes wasted, isn’t it?” she replied and he nodded before leaning in to capture her lips once more.  For some reason, Rochelle thought to herself playfully, the day had just gotten much more entertaining.

 

The End