Chapter 11 First Day

Bea:

"You're really harsh with my crush," Mathew said to me.

I shot him a disapproving look. "Who's being harsh? Don't tell me you're going to side with that jerk over me?"

"Huh? No way. You're my friend. What are friends for?" he protested.

I rolled my eyes and we approached Ma'am Marj again. She looked at us, probably already knowing why we were back.

She took our form and signed it. "You can go ahead and pay at the finance office," she said.

Mathew and I gave her a polite smile and left. Just before we could fully exit, I felt a gaze from the council's direction. And speaking of the devil, it was Marco staring at us... more likely at me.

I felt a shiver run down my spine from his stare, but I tried to shake it off. The important thing was that we were done with the faculty.

Mathew and I headed to the finance office to pay for the exam.

"There are so many people!" Mathew complained.

"Better than having to come back," I replied.

"Look at our number! 1030. Do you think we'll get to pay in time? We're definitely going to be here until tomorrow. And look at the number on the monitor, it's 500!" he retorted, frustrated.

I wished I had brought earplugs for my noisy friend. "Let's just endure it. We're already here. Besides, who's to blame for our delay? Who took forever to wake up, huh?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He awkwardly coughed, avoiding my gaze, and fell silent beside me.

It was almost evening before we could pay at the finance office.

"I'm really glad I have patience," Mathew said as we left the campus.

"Really? You were complaining the whole time. If I hadn't told you to wait, you'd have left, right?" I teased him.

"I wouldn't have left, but complaining is just part of my system," he said proudly.

The next day, Mathew and I started our first shift at his aunt's coffee shop. It was kind of fun, especially meeting different people. I worked as the cashier while Mathew served the coffee. The other staff were nice, so I didn't feel much pressure in my part-time job.

"Good day, Si—" I couldn't finish what I was saying when our eyes met.

"So you work here?" he asked, curious.

I quickly looked away and pretended not to recognize him. Why does this person always seem to cross paths with me?

"May I take your order, sir?" I smiled politely.

He looked at the menu posted on the board.

"One large Americano and a cheesecake," he said curtly.

"Is that all? Any additional items?" I asked as I noted his order.

"That will be all," he replied in his cold, baritone voice.

I nodded. "That will be 250 in total, sir."

He took out the money from his wallet, handed it to me, and walked away. I couldn't help but glance at him briefly before turning my attention back to the next customer.