1 Chapter 1: At First Sight

Aya worked part-time at the diner Freshly Ground which bordered close to the ocean. There was a small paved patch and stairs that led down to the beach. She enjoyed working there and loved to meet new people and have conversations about random things.

The diner itself was nothing special. It was modelled like a seventies diner, with big red leather seats and squared steel tables. Their uniforms were a white t-shirt, a mini-skirt that stopped beneath their knees and a checkered red apron.

The diner was not busy tonight but she was the only one who was working. Iris the other waitress got paid for doing, basically nothing. One time Aya went to the manager to complain about this. She had learned the hard way that complaining about your superior got you nowhere.

From that day on she kept her head low as she needed this job desperately. She always came with a smile to work no matter how her co-workers treated her, she was here to serve the customers after all.

It was going to be a slow night, she thought and took one of the regular customer's orders. The doors to the diner opened. The air filled with laughter. She turned towards the door and watched as seven men entered the diner.

They were talking in low voices and made their way to one of the tables at the back of the diner. Her eyes followed them until they sat down, she couldn't help the small sigh that escaped her lips.

They sat down at one of her tables. Oh, the joy she thought and turned back to the customer with a bright smile. "I will place your order."

She noticed that Iris was standing at the counter where no one was seated chewing on bubblegum and looking bored. She turned from the table and on her way to the kitchen she stopped at the counter and smiled at Iris.

"Iris, would you mind taking the table at the back?" Aya asked and indicated to her table in the back near the kitchens.

Iris looked at the table and blew a big bubble, she let it pop before answering. "No, I am not in the mood."

Aya bit back a retort. This was typical of Iris, she never wanted to work hard but she wanted to receive a salary each month. "Fine. I will handle it then."

Aya took a deep breath and walked to the kitchen to deliver her first order. She turned towards the table with the seven men who were still having a conversation and laughing.

She stopped at the table. Seven pairs of eyes were staring at her but there was one particular pair of eyes that caught her attention. They were luring her in. Her stomach was doing summersaults. She did not hear the others when they greeted her, she was too focused on the man she was staring at.

He has a bright smile. His head cocked slightly to the right and his smile widened, she came to her senses. "I am sorry." She said after he caught her staring and she removed her pen which she kept behind her ear. She lowered her eyes to her notepad.

"Seven coffees?" She said without looking up. She was afraid that she would be staring at him again. At that thought, her cheeks warmed. The group replied with a unison of yes.

Aya slightly nodded and turned towards the kitchen. This table was so close that you could feel the heat. As she walked to the few steps her thoughts ran. What was this feeling? No one had ever given her butterflies. She rolled her eyes mentally, love at first sight? Yeah right. Not in this lifetime.

*****

Hoseok watched as their waitress walked away from them. He noticed that she had beautiful eyes. They were caramel-brown and the way she was staring at him. It made him feel... He did not know how to describe this feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Hobi? Are you listening?" Namjoon asked loudly while snapping his fingers in front of Hoseok's face.

He blinked and turned his attention towards Namjoon who was sitting on his right. "Of course, I am listening."

Namjoon rolled his eyes. "Then what were we talking about?"

"You were talking about the tour we are going to do in a few months," Hoseok replied innocently with a small smirk.

"Lucky guess," Namjoon retorted. "You are very distracted tonight."

It was not a lucky guess, Hoseok thought. It was the only thing that Namjoon kept talking about. Their big tour in the USA and he wanted everything perfect.

"I do not know what you are talking about," Hoseok said with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

Namjoon opened his mouth but before he could reply, their waitress returned with their coffees. She was trying very hard not to spill as she steadied the tray. Namjoon leaned back in his chair and watched as the girl went around placing their coffee before each of them.

*****

Namjoon narrowed her eyes when she approached Hoseok. He was the last one to receive his coffee. I would have to keep an eye on this situation, he thought to himself and picked up his coffee, bringing it to his lips.

Hoseok smiled up at the girl. She was standing on his left side. He noticed that her hand was shaking as she lifted the cup with her fingers. He knew where this was going to lead and without thinking, he reached for her fingers and steadied the cup in her hands.

Her eyes snapped up and he caught himself staring into her eyes. It was only for a few seconds but to him... Time had come to a standstill. He did not let go of her fingers that were still holding the cup.

"I am sorry," She said and her cheeks turned from a light pink to a crimson red.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," He said and took the cup slowly with his other hand.

The group was staring at them. Namjoon's expression turned serious and he cleared his throat. "Excuse us, please."

Hoseok bit back a remark and the girl let go of his hand instantly. "Ye-Yes, I do apologise."

The girl left their table and went to the sit down counter where another girl stood with a bored expression. Hoseok felt an emptiness when she left, he stared down into his coffee cup and a sigh escaped his lips.

Namjoon chatted about the tour. Hoseok was not listening and he was lost in his thought. I want to ask her but what if she thinks I am a complete freak or a stalker? She did not even recognise who I am and...

"Hoseok?" Jimin said and tapped him on the shoulder. "We are leaving."

He blinked and looked up confused. Had an hour passed so quickly? They hardly ever get breaks but when he stood his gaze fell on the girl that served them. Her back was turned in their direction.

"I will get the bill," Hoseok said and weaved his way to the counter between the tables. "I will meet you guys back at the house."

"Are you going to take a taxi?" Jimin asked in surprise. They never did that. They always stuck together no matter where they went. They were getting popular by the second so it was hard to find a place where no one would recognise them.

Namjoon did not say a word as the others nodded. He looked at Hoseok with suspicion. He bit his lip and walked with the rest to the door. He turned back with one last glance. "This is not going to do."

Hoseok was practising in his thoughts what he was going to say. Every single line sounded ridiculous. He was out of ideas and out of time, his hand reached and he tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

"Hi, uh... I would like to pay our bill and... I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me?" Hoseok asked shyly and rubbed the back of his neck.

*****

Aya froze. No one ever came up to her and touched her this freely, when she turned around she collided into someone's chest. She looked up and with her eyes widening, her cheeks flushed red.

"Sor-Sorry?' She said weakly.

He smiled shyly and took a step backwards. "I want to pay the bill and was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me on the beach."

She was slow to respond. His words were swimming in her thoughts. He wanted to walk with her. Was he some kind of stalker? She averted her eyes to the ground. He did not seem like a stalker.

"Let me ready your bill," She replied and stepped around the counter, typing on the cash register.

He nodded. He bit his lip and searched for his wallet. He looked at her as he found his wallet inside of his jacket pocket. He was wearing a black blazer, a red t-shirt and styled shredded jeans with sneakers.

He opened his wallet and produced a few Won. He held it out to her, Aya reached for it after checking that she inputted the sale but he lightly tugged it back. "You have not answered me."

She did not want to seem nervous. She hardly knew him but there was a small tug in her soul that wanted to go. Just to find out what type of man he was.

He leaned forward. "I know it is sudden. I promise I am not a bad person."

She pondered his words carefully and nodded. "Alright, I will take a walk with you."

His face brightened and he held out his hand with the notes to her again. "Thank you so much. I am Jung Hoseok."

She took the money from his fingers. "I am Tenaki Aya. My shift ends in twenty minutes."

"Perfect," he replied. "Should I wait for you in front?"

"Yes, I think it would be easier." She said with a smile and placed the money in the cash register.

"Then I will see you in twenty minutes," He replied sweetly and turned around, leaving the diner.

Aya watched him leave. Her heart was sitting in her throat, her stomach felt light as he butterflies did summersaults. Her eyes were fixated on the door. "Earth to Aya!" Iris said loudly, waving her hand before Aya's face.