A Sound from the Moon

The moment we enter the store, my eyes start looking for that boy. Someone I can trust. I don't think he's suspicious like Irene says. I think he is genuine. I can tell.

"Do you see him?" Seulgi says as we slowly approach the register.

"No. But I'll ask for him." I give the lady behind the cash register a warm smile and say, "Good afternoon. I'm looking for a boy that works here."

The lady does a little scoff. "There's several boys here. What's his name?"

"I don't know. But he's about..." I try my best to remember his height and reach up. "This height and has a cute smile."

Seulgi quietly snorts at my words and I give her a light hit as the lady furrows her brows. "I'm not sure who you're talking about."

I click my tongue now and let my smile fall. "Well I'm here for an interview. Can I speak to the manager?"

"It's okay, Yeri," Seulgi gently says. "Lets go around together and ask if they're hiring."

Suddenly, the boy comes out of a door in the small hallway behind the counter. His eyes find mine and I nearly jump with happiness. "Him! That's him!"

The lady turns as the boy approaches with the smile I fell asleep thinking about. He gives me a small wave as the lady says, "Ah. Chan. Another girl was looking for you."

My eyes grow wide and my cheeks turn warm. "It's not like that."

The lady gives me a smirk before walking off. Chan leans forward with a side smile that brings up his childish aroma. "Don't worry about her," he says with bright eyes. "She likes bothering everyone. I'm glad you came! The manager is on his lunch right now but once he's done, you can start."

His eyes then land on Seulgi who quietly observes Chan. She carries the same firm expression I first met her with as Chan gives her a slight bow. He then gives me a playful smile as he says, "How many sisters do you have?"

"Four older sisters," I say stealing a bright glance at Seulgi. She lets her firm expression slightly fall with a gentle smile. She leans towards my ear and says, "I'll be in the coffee shop." I give her a nod and watch her walk away.

"Let me tell the manager you're here."

I now watch Chan go back to the room he was in before and disappear. I let a small breath escape my nose as I look around. I will be seeing a lot of this place I guess. It's not that bad. I like the vibe.

Soon, Chan comes back with an older man with patches of white hair in his head. He gives me a look and does a nod. "You have a pretty face. I'm sure we'll have plenty of customers. She's in."

I'm surprised by his words. I start to realize that I'm slightly offended by his comment as I let my brows furrow. But Chan does an awkward chuckle as the old man walks back into the small room. "Ignore him. He's like that. I'll be training you today."

"Okay. Thank you so much for your help by the way."

"Of course. Let me get you a uniform. You'll be in the coffee shop."

"Really? Cool!"

I excitedly change into my uniform and walk with him to the coffee shop section. I find Seulgi reading a magazine at a small table with coffee in hand. She does not see me when I pass by her and go behind the large counter.

"Okay. Do you know English well?"

"Yes," I respond in English. "I grew up in the States."

"Great! Me too! This is good because I'm the only who knows English here. Now I have a translating partner."

"Perfect," I say with a small smile.

He's silent for a second as he lets my smile sink. He shakes off whatever is going on inside his head and says, "I'm basically in charge of the coffee shop but I work in the store section, too. Let me show you where you clock in."

The day goes by pretty quickly. I feel bad for Seulgi. She sits down for most of it and then talks on the phone for a long time. She then watches me work with my first customers. I've done customer service many times so it all comes very easily. Towards the end of my shift, it feels like I've worked here for years. But the hardest part is making drinks. They're different in this country.

Chan came over at one point and said, "Good work, Yeri. I think you have a gift with customer service."

I laugh at this and playfully say, "Just charisma, Chan."

"Hey, charisma." Seulgi comes up with a playful smile as she leans on the counter. "Joy and Wendy are coming."

I do a little clap. "Yay! More customers!"

Chan gives me one last sweet smile before walking back to the store. Seulgi lowers her voice as she says, "He's cute." A shine of tease runs through her eyes and I roll my eyes at her.

"You guys giggle together so much," she continues. "I'm gonna tell Irene."

"No!"

She laughs loudly and says, "He seems nice! He's not your type?"

I start a playful comeback but I quickly stop when I see a family walk in. I take their orders and start making their drinks. Soon, I hear Wendy and Joy walk in. When I go to the small opening on one side of the counter to give finished drinks, their eyes grow wide when Seulgi points at me.

"Oh my god!" Joy says. "You look so cute!"

"Little one!" Wendy says with a bright smile. She takes out her phone and gestures at me to look over. I only giggle and quickly pose for Wendy's picture.

After getting an order from a woman, the girls come up to the register with playful looks. "Okay," Wendy says as she looks at the menu on the counter. "Can I have the coconut shake?"

"Of course," I professionally say. "What size?"

Joy lets a surprised look cross her expression when she sees me type in the order quickly without looking. "You're so fast! Have you worked here before?"

I laugh at this. "I've done customer service before."

"Oh actually can I have a mango shake?" Wendy says. "Yes yes. I love mango. Mango smoothie please."

"I'll have the banana one," Joy says. "Light on the ice please."

I quickly insert their orders and watch them gawk over the treats under the glass now. Seulgi is still taking pictures of me and sending it to someone. I'm assuming Irene. I smile when I hear her say, "She's so photogenic."

"This one please, miss!" Joy points at a strawberry cake pop. I take one from under the counter and give it to her. Wendy starts to take out money to pay and I see Chan coming.

"Hey," he says to me. "Everything okay?"

"Yup," I say to him in English. We decided to just speak to each other in this language so we don't forget it too quickly here. "These are my other sisters."

Wendy looks up from taking out her credit card instead and does a small bow. "Hi."

"Oh you know English," Chan says. "Cool. I mean if you're all sisters, you all must know English."

"It's complicated," I say. "Thanks for checking up on me."

"For sure. You have a fifteen minute break, too. You didn't take it."

"I'm okay."

"Well we close in a few hours."

I look out the window and see that it's slowly getting dark. "Oh shoot. It's almost night."

"Yeah. Time passes by quick when you work."

I charge Wendy and walk on the other side of the counter with Chan to start their drinks. I suddenly realize that tomorrow is just around the corner. "Tomorrow is Monday," I softly say.

"Yup. Tomorrow is a new day."

My nerves come back and I wish this day could freeze.

I convince myself for the hundredth time. It'll be okay. I can do this. This is for her...