Chapter 3

(A few moments ago)

The professor was saying her goodbyes to the class flatly. Even sloths' sluggishness would be put to shame by her slow, boring way of talking. It was already past her class schedule. Jace checked the time on his phone again and again. "Darn it. I'm going to be late for my shift now," he whispered to himself.

"Enjoy your semestral break because there are only a few semesters left before your graduation. Expect you're gonna be busy. Alright, that would be all. See you around, class. You're now dismissed," said their professor.

In a swift motion, Jace grabbed his bag and left the lecture hall. He raced the hallway filled with students who just left their respective lecture halls as well. Although their university had three entrances and exits, Jace's college building was located the farthest from those. Talk about good luck. Jace had no choice but to cross the athletics stadium just to go to the nearest exit.

There were more students than usual in the stadium this time, mostly playing soccer. He dashed across the field, not noticing the two girls he was about to pass by. One of the girls suddenly got hit by a soccer ball. As Jace was just about to pass, it bounced back at him, making him fall to the ground.

'Fuck my luck. Why now of all the times?!' he thought.

Jace had no time to check his wrinkled clothes nor to check himself nor to check the girl. He got up quickly and continued on his way. He felt guilty for not helping the girl stand back up. Normally, if he wasn't in a hurry, he would have helped her before leaving but how the heck could he do that if he was already late for his part-time job?

---

Lorelei turned to Amari and asked, "Amy did you happen to see the guy who fell on the ground with me?"

Amari shot her a baffled look, "What are you talking about? What do you mean guy?"

"Oh. Never mind then," replied Lorelei while pouting.

"AMARI! LEI!" shouted Sam from a far distance. He ran towards them. Beads of sweat covered his forehead and neck, obviously from running in a hurry. He was catching his breath as he arrived in front of the two.

"Sorry, I'm late. My upperclassman suddenly asked me to help her carry stuff," said Sam between his breaths.

Amari sneered at him. "You shouldn't have asked us to go here if you're going to be late," complained Amari.

Sam stuck his tongue out to tease her. He turned to Lorelei and noticed an abrasion on her right hand.

"What happened to your hand?" Sam asked.

"Oh this," Lorelei raised her hand, "I got hit by a ball and fell to the ground while waiting for you," said Lorelei in a sarcastic tone while smiling.

Sam covered his mouth and his eyes widened, pretending to be shocked. He looked back and forth at Lorelei and Amari. "Oh my god, Amari. What have you done to her?!" he then looked at Lorelei, "And you! Since when did you speak like her?!"

Sam patted his chest as if he were hurt by this. Lorelei and Amari just burst into laughter at his remark.

"Hey stop acting as if it's a bad thing! At least Lorelei now knows how to properly talk to you," said Amari in a teasing manner while laughing.

Sam just pouted at her reply. He kind of looked like a duck while doing it.

Lorelei, now finished laughing, asked them with a smile plastered on her face, "Anyways, where to now guys?"

"Let's eat meat! Meat, meat, meat!" exclaimed Sam passionately.

Amari slung her arm around Sam's neck. "Oooh, finally there's something we agree on. Let's go and eat meat!" cheered Amari and raised her arm. She dragged Sam out of the stadium.

Lorelei was about to follow them but she noticed something on the ground. It was a student card. She picked it up and surveyed it.

"Jace Lee?" she murmured to herself. "Ah, this must be that guy's student card."

While scanning the card, the man's photo caught her eye. "Hmm. Not bad huh. He's kinda cute I must say though he looks mean," she muttered again and smiled.

"Hey wait up!" Lorelei yelled as she tried to catch up with Amari and Sam.

---

Finally, Jace arrived at his workplace. He works part-time at a small Korean barbeque place near the university. While wearing his apron, someone suddenly snaked an arm around his neck.

"Bro, you're late today! That is so not like you. Did something happen?" muttered the guy.

Jace removed the arm surrounding his neck and turned to his co-part timer, Shane. "Our professor went overtime. Couldn't leave the lecture on time."

Shane looked at him with pity. "I really don't get why professors don't mind the time," Shane shook his head in disbelief and patted Jace's back, "they should be more mindful. Good thing you're only ten minutes late."

Jace started serving the customers. Anytime soon, the place would be filled with people since it's almost dinner time.

Jace was taking the orders of a customer on a table when the door chimed.

"Welcome, ma'ams and sir!" greeted Shane to the customers. It was Lorelei, Amari, and Sam.

The three sat on the corner most table near the glass door. Shane started to serve the side dishes along with the sauces. He also prepared the grill for the meat.

"May I take your orders?" asked Shane lively. The three then stated their orders.

As soon as Shane got their orders, he went to the kitchen and prepared the servings of meat. "Hey, Jace! Can you serve this on table number 5?" he said to Jace.

Jace put the servings on a tray to deliver to table number 5. He carefully placed those on top of the table beside the grill.

Lorelei was scrolling through her phone but stopped upon receiving their order. She looked up to thank the server and noticed that he looked familiar. It occurred to her that it was the guy from earlier.

Jace was about to leave and go back to taking others' orders when Lorelei suddenly called his attention.

"Uhm, excuse me. Are you perhaps, Jace Lee?" Lorelei asked in her usual high-pitched tone.