Chapter Text
Well this semester was going to suck. On day one you managed to be twenty minutes late to your first class, mainly because you couldn’t find it (Who puts a speech class in the science building?), and the professor called you out in front of everyone in the lecture hall. At lunch, not only did your bank card get declined, but when you finally found cash in your purse, you managed to trip and fall face-first into your pasta, getting the red sauce all over your face and the cute white blouse you wore today. You want to just head home, chug an entire bottle of wine, eat ice cream, and watch a new drama while crying, but you already have homework, and you don’t like getting behind.
After your last class of the day, you decide that while you love your dorm and roommate, (seriously Natalie is the best, mostly because she brought you a new shirt to change into after your pasta fiasco), the dorm is too small to study in, especially when your roommate is trying to get you to go out with her instead. So you head to the local coffee shop on campus. It’s got everything a woman needs to study, free wifi, comfy chairs and tables galore, a warm atmosphere mixed with the aroma of coffee beans and baked goods that instantly relaxes you, and all the yummy chai lattes you can afford, served by the hottest barista you have ever laid eyes on.
Okay, the hot barista is one hundred percent the entire reason you come here over the library. The first time you came here was right after moving into your dorm. You were looking a hot mess in your loose fitting sweats and a white t shirt, with your hair in a loose, messy bun. You needed caffeine quickly, or you weren’t going to have the energy to finish unpacking. The second you saw his smile, you instantly regretted not changing before you left. That smile could make the sun seem dull.
You know his name is Hoseok, and you only know that because of his name tag. Talking to people in general isn’t easy for you, but when hey have eyes like warm chocolate and a jawline so sharp it could cut diamonds, its damn near impossible.
Today, the guy running the front counter was shorter than Hoseok. He had bright orange, fluffy hair, and cute round eyes that completely disappeared as he laughed at the joke Hoseok had just told him. When the bell dinged on the front door, signaling your arrival to the shop, he turned to greet you at the front counter, and you saw his name badge read ‘Jimin’.
“Hi! What can I get for you today?”
His smile was very warm and infectious, and you found yourself smiling back at him.
“Hello. Um, I would like a-”
“Tall chai latte with whipped cream and a maple blondie?”
Hoseok had poked his head around the corner when he heard your voice. You always order the same thing, and you do come in here every day, so you are sure he must memorize all the regular customers orders. He must be working hard today. He has a glistening of sweat on his forehead and neck, causing his hair to look a bit damp, and somehow he makes that look attractive. He flashes you that smile that makes your knees week and you smile back, like an idiot.
Jimin clears his throat to gain your attention. “So is that what you want to order?”
Snapping out of your stupor, you realize that you have just been staring at Hoseok and not answering the question he asked you. God, he must think you are the dumbest person on the planet. You nod your head at Jimin as you feel your cheeks heat up from embarrassment. He writes your name on a cup and tells you he will bring it out to you when it is ready, so you go to your normal chair beside the window, and set up your laptop to get started on the paper you already have assigned from your psychology professor.
After three blondies, two lattes, and four hours of research, you decide that you have everything mapped out for your essay, so you pack up for the night to head back to the dorm. The only class you have tomorrow is your dance class, so you can type it up tomorrow night. As you pack your last book back into your bag, Jimin brings over a to-go cup with another chai latte inside. You look at him confused.
“Oh, I didn’t order this.”
“It’s on the house.”
He smiled that infectious smile at you again, and you thanked him for the coffee before heading out the door. It wasn’t until you were half way home that you saw the note written on the side of the cup:
'You look cute when you blush -Hoseok :)’
When you get inside your dorm, you shove your cup in Natalie’s face for her to read it. After your first encounter with 'the hot coffee man’ (as she called him) you immediately told your new roommate about it. You went together to get coffee the next day, and to check him out again, and she agreed he was 'hotter than hell in the middle of August.’ (Again, her words, not yours.) She, of course being way more outgoing than you, wanted to make you talk to him, but every time you opened your mouth to say something, nothing came out. It was like selective mutism or something, so this note is the first non-coffee related exchange you have had with him.
“OH MY GOD Y/N HE CALLED YOU CUTE! Wait why did you blush?”
You groaned at the memory. “I don’t want to talk about it. Basically I am an idiot.”
“Yea an idiot in love.”
She wiggled her eyebrows at you and you threw your pillow at her. “Seriously though, you have to talk to him tomorrow. Tell him you saw the note at least.”
You sighed, laying back onto you bed. “I know. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself anymore.”
The next morning, you woke up a little bit early to go get a latte before class. It was a bit chilly, so you wore a baby pink beanie that matches the cardigan you wore over your ivory floral-print dress, and the socks peeking out from the top of your brown boots. You grabbed your bag that had your dance clothes in it, and headed out the door. While walking to the coffee shop, you rehearsed in your head over and over what you wanted to say to Hoseok.
The walk seemed to be a lot shorter than usual. Your palms were clammy from nerves. “Get yourself together y/n, just thank him for the coffee and go to your class.”
When you walk inside, you see Jimin at the register, and as far as you can tell, he is the only employee this morning. He greeted you with his warm smile, and you placed your order for your usual latte.
“No blondie today?” Jimin asked you teasingly.
You softly chuckled at his question. “No, I am headed to class today, just needed my caffeine fix.”
Jimin fixed your drink while humming an unfamiliar tune. When he finished and handed you your drink, you decided to ask him, “Does Hoseok work today?”
“No he has classes today.”
You told him thanks as you left, giving him a half-hearted smile. All that rehearsing for nothing. It was stupid that you felt so down about not seeing a boy you hadn’t even a conversation with, yet here you are, walking to class looking like your goldfish died.