To say things were awkward would be an understatement. We were all sitting around one booth - San, Woojin, Saehi, Beomgyu, Yeonjun, and I.
Beomgyu and Saehi were in the middle of the booth followed by Yeonjun and I on the opposite side, at the edge of the half-circle booth. Woojin and San were sitting in two chairs facing the booth.
Woojin was excited to meet everyone even though he was a little nervous about meeting students from Royals High. Serving the students was one thing but meeting them as friends and hanging out was different.
If I were in Woojin's place, I would feel the same way.
Woojin offered everyone his signature off-the-menu cold coffee, which was one of his overly sugar-coated concoctions with just a hint of coffee.
We all took him up on the offer but Mr. Pink hair - no black hair decided to stick to his usual mint-choco ice cream.
He didn't look at me the entire time were were there. I am not sure whether I expected him to look at me or even strike up a conversation with me but I was at least not expecting him to be completely ignorant towards me.
'So? Do you guys like the cold coffee? This is my special blend" Woojin announced followed by a loud slurp from Beomgyu with two thumbs up.
"I really like it. I might make this my regular order here" he was smiling ear to ear.
I am not sure whether he could not read the room or maybe he was just oblivious to the awkwardness.
"Thanks Woojin. And you did not have to pay for our drinks. I feel bad about it. Especially when it is so good" Saehi complements and smiles at Woojin, making Woojin blush.
"No, no. It is completely fine. Perks of being the star employee an all you know" he winks at me and I shove him playfully.
"What are you talking about? If anyone is the star employee, it is me. Please" I flip my hair and San and Woojin chuckle among themselves.
"Aww, you three are so cute" Saehi made a finger heart towards our direction and we just looked at each other and laughed.
"It just is nice to be friends since childhood right?" Saehi asked with her elbows popped up on the table and her face resting on her palm.
I understood that Saehi was trying her best to open up a conversation that would flow naturally. I was thankful to her and I smiled at her as a token of thanks.
She replied with a subtle wave of her hand as if it were no big deal.
"Annoying is definitely one word for it" Woojin chuckles and both San and I slap his arms.
"Oh please. He could not survive without us two. He was so shy and awkward as a child. He would never have made friends if not for me" I comment and San and Woojin both snort.
"Look who's talking - the girl who always had her nose buried in a book. I am surprised you know so many people from Royals High now. I would have bet you to know every book in the library there rather than name five of your classmates" Woojin retorts and I roll my eyes.
'Oh, she was like that at the start. I saw her drool on the library floor. Great first impressions' Beomgyu takes another large sip of his drink and I groan.
Everyone at the table laughs and Yeonjun for the first time tonight looks in my direction with an amused look.
His eyes are even more stark with the contrast of his black hair and now I can't meet his eyes. I duck my head to take a sip of my drink.
"But you know, then she met me and I was the savior of her social status quo and the rest is history" Beomgyu takes a mock bow and I scowl at him.
"Yeah right" I scoff.
"But she has a temper you know. She really bursts out when she is angry" Beomgyu looks at me pointedly and I grumble.
"I told you I was sorry," I say in a small voice.
"You were at fault there carrot head. Don't blame her" Saehi points her straw at him and Beomgyu gives a disgusted look at her straw.
"Do you chew your straw You're a psychopath" Beomgyu fakes a shiver and Saehi punches his shoulder.
"Yeah she is a firecracker when she is angry but she is not someone who gets angry without reason. You need to work her up a lot for her to let out a verbal vomit" San nods his head and I just look at him.
Et tu Brute?
"And don't call me carrot head. It ruins my street cred" Beomgyu sneers.
"Would you prefer the male version of Jessica Rabbit then" Saehi retorts.
"Well, if that means I turn you on, then sure" Beomgyu shrugs and Saehi lets out a sound between a growl and a battle cry.
"Ew. Ew. Ew. Just Ew. I can't even... Ugh" She makes a belching sound and Beomgyu scowls at her.
"You don't have to act like the idea of me turning you on is that repulsive" he argues.
"Oh no, it is. I would write you a three-page debate on it" Saehi huffs.
"You're just in denial. I am very loveable and sexy"
"Sexy my ass. You're delusional"
"Well your ass is -"
"Don't finish that sentence Choi Beomgyu or else I will shove this straw up your nose" Saehi threatens with the straw in her hand and Beomgyu shuts up.
I think Saehi's superpower is getting Beomgyu to shut up.
All of us collectively laugh at their laugh at their back and forth.
"And I had to cut my hair for that whole conference. I wasn't just going to let that slide. I have to maintain my image as the black sheep of the family. You will not understand" Beomgyu shrugs condescending and Saehi shoves him.
"Why did you have to change your hair?" I ask Beomgyu.
Who I really want to ask this question is Yeonjun but the chances of getting an answer from him are low so my better bet is Beomgyu.
Beomgyu gives Yeonjun a side eye before looking at me. He knows my question is directed at Yeonjun and he smiles.
Sometimes I feel Beomgyu is intentionally oblivious to maintain the pretense of a carefree fool. He understands many things that most people won't.
"There was this conference about the whole merger thing. Very boring. And the three of us had to be present in the front of the board and my father would not let me go out in front of a bunch of old pot-bellied grandpa with my rockstar hair. So, this ensued" He points at his head.
"Three?" Woojin asks and I see Yonjun tense up a bit.
"Soobin, Yeonjun, and I" Beomgyu clarifies as if it is no big deal.
"Oh right, you both are brothers, right? San told me" WOojin nods and takes a sip of his drink.
"Cousins," I think this is the first time I heard Yeonjun participate in the conversation the entire night.
"Beomgyu and I are cousins. Soobin and I are half brothers" Yeonjun clarifies and I see everyone around us tense up a bit.
I don't the depth of their relationship but I do know that it is a sensitive topic for him.
"Oh..." Woojin trails off and looks at both San and me for help, unsure what to say next.
Beats me. I am as blank as him.
Beomgyu, finally senses the tension and jumps to hug Yeonjun over affectionately and says "We are cousins by blood but we are soul sisters. Can't you see how tight of a bond we have?"
"Get off me" Yeonjun grumbles and Beomgyu shakes his head and ruffles the dark locks on Yeonjun's head.
"Not until you tell me you love me and I am your favorite brother" Beomgyu tried to kiss Yeonjun's forehead and Yeonjun smacked him away.
We were all laughing, not caring about the other people in the cafe or the other part-timer who was giving us the stink-eye.
"Ugh, get a room you two" Saehi mocks and Beomgyu just smiles at her.
"It was great talking to you but I think I should get going. I have some work to catch up on" San says and Beomgyu pouts.
"What? No! The night just started. Why are you such a grandpa?" Beomgyu looks at San with an invisible question mark drawn on his face.
"I am not a grandpa. I am responsible. As should you be" San scolds Beomgyu.
"I am as responsible as I should be," Beomgyu says and both San and Yeonjun snort and proceed to look at each other.
Beomgyu rolls his eyes.
"I am not listening to you guys. Nobody is leaving. We're going to a coin karaoke" Beomgyu announces with finality.
A/n: UPDATE!!!! Thank you for reading this story.
Let me know what you think of this chapter. A question for you guys - which chapter has been your favourite so far?