★ | #20 | hiring
"just one moment, dear."

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ nicole's radio station
is now playing...

this old dog • mac demarco
"a new day decides on a new design."

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AS promised, Haewon sipped on the juice bottle Heeseung had purchased for her from the vending machine, sitting outside at a picnic table on campus.

“Are you still planning to go to that job interview today?” Heeseung asked, chin resting in the palm of his hand as his gaze fixed on the girl.

“I'll swing by after school. Might as well. I mean, it's on the way home anyway.” She uttered, shrugging her shoulders.

Heeseung nodded quietly in response, a hum sounding from his lips as the girl took a small sip of her juice before closing it with the lid, raising her brows.

“Do you have soccer practice tonight?” She asked, tilting her head off to the side.

“I do.” Heeseung replied in a soft mumble, scanning her expression. “Why?” He added on, curiosity at its peak.

“Ah, nevermind then. I was gonna force you to come with me for emotional support.” Haewon smiled lightly, brushing it off as Heeseung shook his head with a soft smile of his own.

“You don't need me, trust me. You'll be fine. Things should go smoothly.” Heeseung snickered, as the girl breathed out a laugh and nodded.

“If it doesn't, I'm blaming it on you for jinxing me.” Haewon narrowed her eyes jokingly, as he smiled and raised his hands in defense.

“Hey! Don't blame me, blame the universe. I don't make the rules.” Heeseung rolled his eyes, clicking his tongue.

“Mm, yeah, whatever.” The girl sighed out, trailing off as she changed the subject.

“Not that I want to or anything, but when are we supposed to fit studying in? Assuming I'd get the job, of course. Between school, your and my work, and you having soccer, aren't we too busy?” She asked, tilting her head.

“I only have soccer like.. once every two days. And as for our jobs, we're students. I'm working part time, and you most likely will as well. We can fit something in between all of that. It'll be fine. And we also have the weekend to work on stuff too.” He reasoned.

“I am not spending my weekend studying. I physically do not have it in me.” Haewon groaned, grimacing at the thought as Heeseung scoffed.

“Haewon, almost everyone studies on the weekend. It's a given. We barely have time to do so during the week anyway.” Heeseung pointed out, shaking his head. “And also, we literally just did yesterday.”

“I know. And it was literal torture.” The girl frowned, pressing her lips together in a thin line as she opened her juice bottle once again and took another sip.

“You’re so dramatic.” He teased, reaching over the table to pat her head as she snickered and pushed his hand away, grumbling underneath her breath.

“Not dramatic, but relatable.” She corrected, pointing her index finger his way as he laughed and nodded.

“Mhm, whatever you say, Seong Haewon.” He took in a small breath, a smile settled across his features as he peered down at the schoolbook.

“I hope you know that if I get this job and I get discounts, or free drinks, I will not be sharing with you because I'll think back to this very moment.” Haewon scoffed, rolling her eyes playfully.

“You and I both know that's not true. You don't hold grudges for that long. Not with me, at least.” Heeseung hummed teasingly, a smile fixed onto his lips.

“Imagine I got you banned from the café.” She added, ignoring his claim as she smiled to herself, finding it funny in her head as Heeseung glanced up from his book, brows curved inward slightly as his features twitched in amusement.

“You're so annoying.” He chuckled, rolling his eyes as Haewon's eyes brightened ever so slightly with happiness, tilting her head.

“And you're one to talk.” She retorted, as the boy bit back a smile, shaking his head.

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Seong Haewon took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the window of the café, her hands smoothing out the fabric of her blazer as she adjusted the straps of her backpack that rested over her shoulders.

Biting down on her bottom lip, she pushed open the door to the café, the soft chime of the bell above her filling the quiet building as the smell of coffee and pastries engulfed her senses.

Her eyes wandered around the familiar place, having come here often with Heeseung after school to grab a small box of cinnamon rolls to share.

“Hello! Welcome, welcome. How may I help you?” A woman's voice filled her ears, catching her attention as she turned her head to meet the gaze of a middle-aged woman, a hand towel thrown over her shoulder as she leaned up against the counter.

Haewon smiled shyly, feet reluctantly carrying her over to stand at the counter as she folded her hands neatly in front of her.

“Ah, good afternoon.” The girl greeted in a soft mumble, bowing her head lightly out of respect.

“I'm actually here for the job offer, if that's still going on? I saw you guys were hiring on a poster the other day, so I hope I'm not too late.” Haewon mentioned, watching as the woman nodded quietly along.

“Oh, are you now?” The woman hummed, a gentle smile reigning her lips as she tilted her head off to the side. “Just one moment, dear.” She spoke, excusing herself.

Haewon nodded, rocking back and forth on her feet anxiously as she fiddled with the hem of her blazer, biting down on the inside of her cheek.

It wasn't long before that same woman returned, a smile spread across her soft features as she gave the teen a beckoning nod.

“Alright, hon, do you mind following me into the back? I'd like to interview you for a bit, if that's alright.” The woman questioned, as Haewon hummed and nodded quickly in response.

The teenager took a deep breath, lips pressed tightly in a thin line as she fiddled with her fingers, keeping her composure.

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★﹐authors corner ．﹗﹑ 1.0k words.
ephemeral has officially been published today! (or, yesterday actually) 😿 .. it's currently 3am and i have yet to have a single feeling of drowsiness.

in other words, i'm wide awake and don't think i'll be getting much (if any) sleep tonight so yay !!

anyway, to everyone reading this currently, how long has it been since i wrote this author's note? i wonder haha

i love you all so much! thank you for reading <3
april 26th, 2024 — 3:21am.
not proofread.