Jaebum POV

It was another boring day at the convenient store. I was once again, standing alone at the cashier desk. It was a slow today. Well, it's never really that occupied here anyways, but it was even slower than it usually is. I sighed. At least my shift ends soon, thanks to Minho who does the night shift.

With nothing to do, I let my mind wander. It decided to dwell on the conversation I had in lunch with Mark, Jackson, and Bambam earlier.

-~-

I sat at the usual place we go for lunch. Sitting patiently, I watched as my three friends walk into the building. They always seem to arrive at the same time. I don't know how they do it.

"Hey Jaebummie!" Jackson called out to me. I stand up. Soon after, the other two bid a greeting to me. I do the same.

"Let's get our food." Bambam clapped his hands together. We all walk to the line to order. Then, we all sit down; Mark politely pulling out a chair for Jackson to sit in.

"So Bambam, any luck with mystery boy?" I start some small talk. Bambam's shoulders slump down.

"No, I haven't seen him for a week. I don't know what happened to him. It's like he disappeared off the face of the earth."

"Aw, come on Bambam. I bet he's gonna come back." Jackson reassures him.

"It's just weird! I help him for the second time, and he storms out of my life." His face gets gloomier. "Do you think he's avoiding me?"

"Nah, I think it's just a coincidence." I shake my head. "And he was just a stranger anyways, I didn't expect him to stay for long."

"I guess you're right," Bambam sighs. "It's just that's he somewhat changed my life, ya know? It's just gotten a bit lonely..."

Mark smirks. "A bit lonely, huh?"

"Hey, it's not that bad being lonely." I argue.

"Yeah, but hyung you are always lonely." Jackson argues back. I raise an eyebrow at him. He notices and tries to save himself. "I mean, Bambam isn't the type of person to be alone. Heck, he just got out of a relationship with Taeyeon!" We all stay in an uncomfortable silence. Especially Bambam.

Taeyeon was Bambam's last girlfriend. She broke up with him three months ago. At first, their relationship was as nice as anyone else's. But, when the relationship got longer, she kept on demanding money and disappearing often. It was later found out that she was cheating on Bambam with a guy called Baekhyun. Bambam was devastated since he really did like her. We finally got him to get over it by inviting him to things to get his mind off of it. For example, the first time we have invited him to that Karaoke place.

"Uh, forget I said that," Jackson fixed his mistake. "The point is, Jaebum, I think it's time that you've found someone."

Huh?

"Wait why? I'm perfectly fine with being alone."

"Yeah, but that's all you know! Sure, being alone isn't bad, but you should at least try to be in a relationship. I've been worrying about your future-"

"Jackson, you don't need to do that." I chuckled. "I perfectly fine with being alone. That's how I plan to spend my life, so stop worrying-"

"No, hyung, seriously! Please, at least try to find a relationship. I think you would enjoy it."

I was taken back at his suggestion. It knocked me into silence. I sighed. "I'll think about it. No promises, though."

One of the employees called from the counter. "Order 502! Your food is ready!" The tray slid against the counter, coming to a stop.

"Let's get our food." Mark announced to us, ending our conversation."

-~-

I place my head in my hands, elbows propped each side of the cashier. I focused on the topic.

Should I find someone?

The ringing from the door, indicating someone's arrival, snapped me out of my thoughts. I stand back up straight.

"Welcome!" I greet them with a smile. It seems like they didn't notice since I saw their retreating figure go to the back of the store. Confused, I shrug it off, returning to my slouched state.

The figure returns soon after, carrying a huge bag of charcoal. They were struggling with the weight of the bag, so I rushed over to their side. It was a male around my age.

"Sir let me help," I grab a part of the bag. We shared the weight, making it easier to carry.

"Ah, you don't have to do that." He chuckled. "I was doing just fine."

"Depends on how you define 'fine'. If it meant you crushing under the weight of the bag, then I guess you were fine." I say sarcastically. He laughs out loud at my joke. I was taken by surprise. Most people considered that to be rude, but he understood my sense of humor perfectly.

I help him lay it down on the counter. He let out an 'oof' when he let go. I return back around the counter, pushing the buttons in the cash register.

"Thank you for your help." He dusted off his hands. I smile.

"No problem. Just doing my job." I nod at him. I saw him slouch a bit.

"Oh, ok." He rubbed the back of his head. He waited patiently for me to scan and process the purchase.

"Alright, your total is-" I look up to him, and finally get a proper look at his face. I blush a bit.

He's cute...

I've never taken a proper look at his face. I was more focus on helping him. I never usually look at any of my customers faces properly before; it's just something I didn't dwell on. But his face, just wow...

"Beauty at its finest," I whisper.

"Hm?" He looked up at me confused.

"Ah, nothing!" I laugh it off, a bit stiffly. He just shook his head, smiling. "Um, here's your total. How would you like to pay?"

"Uh, in cash." He pulls out his wallet from his back pocket. I watched his face intensely. I couldn't help myself.

"Ah, here ya go." He hands me the money with a smile. Even his smile is wonderful.

"O-oh, thank you! Would you like a receipt?" I stuttered, his presence making me nervous.

Snap out of it JB! You were fine with him before, so stop worrying!

"Yes please." I begin printing it out. Ripping it, I pull out a pen for him to sign. He signs it beautifully, and I got the chance to see his name.

"So your name is Choi Youngjae?"

"Yeah. And yours?" He looks up at me and hands me the pen. I grab it, and we both don't let go.

"My name is Im Jaebum. But you can call me JB." I make eye contact with him and give my best genuine smile. He blushes a bit and mirrors my face.

"I'll go with Jaebum if you don't mind. I like the sound of it." I turn redder.

"Yeah, I don't mind. I'll just call you Youngjae."

"Sounds like a plan." Youngjae lets go of the pen and puts the receipt in his wallet, putting it away. I snap out of it and put the pen away. I see Youngjae begin to grab the bag.

"Youngjae," I smile at the way it sounds. "Let me~" Before he could protest, I make my way around the counter and go beside him, grabbing the other part. He sighs and shakes his head fondly. Pushing the door open, we headed outside.

He leads me to his car. "Let me just grab my keys." He lets one hand go, and I tighten my grip on the bag. He finds them and presses the button that pops the trunk open. We both put it in safely. Dusting our hands, Youngjae looks back at me.

"Thank you again."

"You don't have to thank me every time." I laugh.

"No, but I really mean it! Now I can go back to my family and friends to do the BBQ."

"Oh, so that's what the charcoal is for."

"Yeah." His face then lights up. "Would you like to come over?" I was taken back by surprise. He really wants someone like me to hang out with him?

"... it's time that you've found someone..."

"Um, sure! My shifts ends in a few minutes." I decided on the spot. It's not something I do very often.

"Really?"

"Yeah, why not?" I wink at him.

---

This was after the first week when Yugyeom disappeared for two weeks if you were confused about the timeline. It was about time that 2jae appeared lol