TREAT

Sometime in the middle of the night, when most people were sound asleep, Grace woke up to the sound of thunder and the rush of wind to check the whether. Later, when the sun had risen and the weather was pleasant, Grace woke up again and went about her morning routine. She brushed her teeth and applied ointment on her legs which had swollen up due to wearing heels for a long period. Despite the pain, Grace didn't regret her decision to wear heels the previous night. She then put on her school uniform, grabbed some bread and toast, and rushed to the car. She was excited to start her day at school. Upon entering the classroom, Seok-Joon approached her in a hurry and asked how her night was with Park-Young. Grace smiled and replied in the affirmative. 

Ji-ah then reminded her that she had promised to treat them. Grace acknowledged and smiled at her friends suggested inviting Park-Young to join them, but Seok-Joon was skeptical of whether he would come. According to him, Park-Young never went out with anyone else besides him. Grace felt disappointed, but Seok-Joon decided to give it a try and approached Park-Young to invite him. However, Park-Young seemed irritated by the invitation and declined, citing his studies as the reason. Seok-Joon returned to Grace to inform her of Park-Young's refusal, and she felt dejected. Suddenly, Park-Young spoke up, saying that he did have time after all and that Grace should give the treat. Seok-Joon was taken aback by Park-Young's sudden change of heart and whispered to him, asking which side he was on. However, Grace was thrilled and accepted Park-Young's offer, and they decided to go after school ended. As the bell rang, the students dispersed for their break. Grace decided to skip the football matches and instead headed over to the basketball court. As she approached, she noticed the basketball team captain practicing with grace and agility akin to that of a leopard. As he caught her gaze, he paused mid-motion and flashed her a smile before waving. 

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Grace, another student had taken notice of her interaction with the basketball captain. He was already making plans in his head to win her over. "So that's the girl Park-Young has got close with, maybe I should try to make her mine," he thought to himself.

Grace, on the other hand, was confused by the attention and quickly made her way back to her class. However, she couldn't help but think of her prince charming and how no one could ever take his place in her heart.

Back in class, Grace noticed that Park-Young seemed to be in low spirits. Concerned, she asked him if anything was wrong. He replied in an icy-cold tone, "No, I'm fine. But where did you go during the break?" When she told him about the basketball practice and the captain's friendly gesture, he simply responded with a curt "okay." After several hours of attending classes, the school day finally came to an end and the group of friends decided to head to a nearby Café to unwind.

 The warm cafe had a cozy and inviting atmosphere with soft lighting and comfortable seating. The walls were adorned with paintings and photographs, and there were potted plants in the corners that added a touch of nature to the space. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, providing a comforting and homely feel. The wooden tables and chairs were arranged in an intimate setting, allowing for private conversations and a sense of community among the patrons. The sound of mellow music played in the background, creating a peaceful ambiance. The baristas were friendly and attentive, taking the time to craft each drink with care and precision. 

As they settled down at a table, Grace asked her friends what they would like to order. Ji-ah promptly responded, "I want strawberry ice cream and cold coffee." Seok-Joon, in a mocking tone, said to the waiter, "This little kid wants to eat strawberry ice cream." He then condescendingly ordered a cappuccino and pastry for himself. Ji-ah retorted with "Old man," and the two of them started quarreling with each other. Their argument drew the attention of the other customers, who began to stare and laugh.

Park-Young, feeling embarrassed by his friend's behavior, scolded them, "Can't you guys shut your mouth a little bit? We are in a Café, you know, all the people are staring at us..." Grace quickly intervened and changed the topic, asking Park-Young what he would like to order. He settled for a boba tea, and Grace ordered a black iced coffee for herself.

The waiter returned shortly after to serve their orders, and they all enjoyed their food and drinks. As they finished, they expressed their gratitude to Grace for treating them to the Café. Seok-Joon promised that the next treat would be his, but Grace humbly replied, "It's okay." She then bid her friends goodbye and returned home to start studying for her upcoming 1st-semester exams, realizing that she didn't have much time left to enjoy herself and could only focus on her academics...