(LAP 1)

"Let me help you with that."

Irene stopped from tip-toeing, removing one earbud from her ear before glancing to her left where a guy stood tall beside her, she shyly moves aside as the guy took the small paper star from her hand and stuck it on the place where Irene wanted to put it.

"T-thank you.." The school president shyly spoke.

The man said his welcome before bowing to leave, Irene went back to decorating the classroom's entrance while her feet were slightly tapping to the beat that came from her earbud.

After a while, Irene had already finished decorating the school for the upcoming Halloween party. She started cleaning up the floor, she took the broom and dustpan that had been placed near the girls' restroom. She started sweeping the floor, then threw away the trash. While she was in the middle of the packing of her things, her friend, Seung-wan, came running towards her. Joohyun lightly jumped at Wendy's sudden appearance that made her glare at the younger girl.

"What the hell?" Bae said, dominance coating her words.

Seung-wan was catching her breath, dramatically patting her chest. "aM I LATE?"

Irene pulled out her iPhone 5 that was inside her pocket, checking the date and time, then she turned back to Wendy.

"There are no classes today, dummy. Only class officers are allowed to be here."

Seung-wan's jaw drop that made Irene giggle, lightly patting her arm. Once Wendy was in her normal state again, she looked at Irene who was wearing her backpack, lightly brushing her hair that fell on her shoulders. Wendy slightly blushed at the scene in front of her.

"Earth to Wendy Son??" Joohyun waved her hand in front of Wendy that was busy looking at Irene. Seung-wan swallowed a lump in her throat, looking elsewhere.

"H-how about we e-eat out? Since y-you're finished." Seung-wan was obviously panicking.

"Only if you're paying," Irene answered with a toothy grin.

***

Both of them were in a small fast-food chain where students usually eat for lunch. It had classic retro vibes, like the ones you see in the movies. A jukebox that was displayed near the gumball machine, the seats were made from wood as it had orange cushions with a round table covered with a white table cloth. The walls were made from checkered white and orange tiles with pictures hanging on the wall that look like the owner of this place.

Irene ordered the classic #4 set as Wendy got the #2 with a large drink.

"Are you still working at the car repair shop?"

Irene nodded, munching on her food.

"I thought you hated―"

"Let's not talk about it, okay?"

Right. Joohyun's parents died in a car accident the night before her middle school graduation. Every time a car that passes by that looks like her parents' car, it always haunts her. That's why she hates cars so much more than anything else in the world to the point she takes other vehicles―anything but cars to arrive at her school but look, she found herself working at a car repair shop. How ironic.

"I-I'm sorry... I d-didn't mean to." Wendy nervously chewed on her bottom lip.

Minutes had passed until it became an hour, the staff wiping the metal countertop as the room was filled with iconic songs from the 90s that the jukebox played. Joohyun played with the straw of her iced tea, stirring the liquid as the ice cubes swirled around. Wendy decided the break the awkward atmosphere she created.

"So uhm.. Can I walk you home?"

When Irene was about to answer, her phone ringed from her skirt pocket. She took out her phone and saw that her boss was calling.

"I-I have to go," Joohyun stood up from her seat, "I have to go to work."

Wendy understood. But before she could say anything, Irene had already left the store, the bell from the door making a sound.

***

Irene arrived at the repair shop a bit late. Thankfully, her boss understood Bae's reason.

"There are going to be more customers than usual," Her boss explained, "so I want you to keep a good job, okay?"

Joohyun nodded as a car stopped in front of the shop. It was a Nissan Almera N-Sport, there was a cloud of black smoke coming out of the car's hood. The owner came outside of the car, walking near Irene and her boss.

"I think the engine's broken." The owner scratched their nape, looking at the car awkwardly. "Can you fix it by 5?"

As Irene finished, the owner left the shop with a bright smile on their face. The car slowly reversed before turning as it disappeared in the corner. But this was only the beginning.

***

"Finally.."

Irene breathed out as the last car left. Her boss came back with an envelope, probably Irene's salary. Joohyun wiped the sweat on her forehead and her neck, she carefully took the white envelope and opened it.

"Since you did a great job today... I decided to give you a little extra." Her boss smiled, placing a hand on Joohyun's shoulder. When her boss was about to bid his final goodbye, a Ferrari F50 stopped in front of the shop.

The owner of the car went outside, it was a woman. Slightly taller than Irene, she was wearing a pair of black aviators, a plain white shirt paired with knee-ripped black pants. She removed her glasses and hanged them on the collar of her shirt.

"We're closed―"

"What can we do for ya?"

Irene looked at her boss, she thought her job was done for today.

"I smashed the headlight and broke the wing." The customer gazed her eyes, up and down, on Irene. She lets out a chuckle, "What's a pretty woman like her doing in a dirty car repair shop?" the customer thought.

"Sure, she'll fix it for you." The boss said while patting the back of her employee as Irene lets out a frustrated sigh.