the next day ivy felt the anxiety flooding every single vein in her body. what if minho didn't come to the store that day? what if he had felt embarassed by her?

then all the fuss would've been for nothing and she would've felt so many emotions for no reason.

later when she saw minho enter the store, she just smirked and put on her usual sarcastic self again.

song minho meanwhile was so worried, that he couldn't wait to go back to the convenience store and look after her; maybe because he wouldn't have to take care of himself then.

although he knew he could've just called or texted her, he refused to do so. he'd rather go there in person and if she wasn't there, he'd call eventually.

but his worries were useless, because ivy was there like every other night. and much to minho's surprise it didn't seem like she didn't seem to be sad at all.

"missed me already?" smirked ivy behind the counter and minho blinked in confusion. "actually, yes."

"aww too cute! how may i help you though?" ivy smiled happily and minho wished that only she knew how loud his heart probably beat. "nothing, i am just bored."

"me too, if you want you can just hang around here with me." said ivy, purposely ignoring the voices in her head.

as minho did what she had suggested she spend a long time studying his face and features; for some reason his labret piercing fascinated her a lot. his clothing was from expensive brands, but already kinda ragged at all the edges.

she couldn't help but wonder. "what were you doing all day?"

the younger man pouted his lips. "not much and a lot."

"which means?" asked ivy, cluelessly.

"i dropped out of university two years ago and became an aspiring photographer... i just barely get employed, so it's hard to make a living." although he concealed it well, there was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

a soft smile appeared on ivy's lips. "wow, that's quite impressive."

"you're the first one saying that." mumbled minho, but he was thankful for her kind reaction. "so how about you? what did you do all day?"

"i slept... and then i went to the store to work at night." ivy just shrugged it off. "you gave up everything for something you love and i gave up everything for someone, who didn't even return my love. i admire what you did."

"there's not much to admire." minho was almost speechless, but he also didn't want to risk digging into it deeper. if she wanted to tell him something, she'd just do it instead of waiting for him to ask. 

besided that they barely knew each other.