Send 🍂 for an Autumn Based starter.
↳ Alex & Sooah ; @apollomio
With the children and students at school, the employés of the surrounding companies at work and the tourists undoubtedly busy with their touristic sites to visit, a comfortable quietness had settled over the convenience store where only the background music could be vaguely heard along the low humming of the coolers. After the eight in the morning rush that happened specifically when she was taking her shift, Sooah was given more free time to organize the store and receive the planned deliveries. That usually kept her busy enough until ten in the morning and only then could she sit down and wait for customers to keep her company for a few minutes only while they wandered through the store, specifically seeking for something - or not.
It was raining, outside. Sooah couldn’t help but to think about her daughter and if the sweater she was wearing today would be warm enough. The temperatures dropping were always a source of stress for the single mother; she was never certain if Jaeeun was warm enough, if the clothes she was getting from flea markets would be in proper condition for them to go through the harsh winters. And there always was a risk of getting sick, of the heaters not functioning properly. She knew all too well how difficult winters in Korea were, having nearly lost her daughter when she was only a few months old simply because she couldn’t afford warm food. Those difficult years still haunted Sooah.
Her current living condition still wasn’t ideal to raise a child, but it was better than what it had been so she wasn’t complaining. Jaeeun attending school had been a source of relief for she didn’t have to worry about her daughter’s well-being for a few hours. Schools were supposedly good places for kids.
Sooah picked up her phone after checking that nobody else who would need her help was in the store and began to search for flea markets in the area where she hoped she could get her daughter new clothes. There usually was interesting deals and working at a fish market had taught her how to bargain. Her attention was focused on an interesting announcement for a future market when someone cleared their throat, efficiently startling Sooah who gave a little start and nearly sent her phone flying out of her hands. Luckily, she also had years of reflexes in her hands and she tightening her grip around the electronic device, maroon eyes looking up in both surprise and embarrassment.
“Alex-ssi!” Sooah blinked when she recognized the man she had gone on a blind date with. Ah. This felt even more embarrassing. She briefly wished she could vanish into thin air at this moment, especially when she remembered that they hadn’t exactly kept in touch after the date. “It’s been a while.”
Outside, the rain morphed into a light drizzle and faint sun rays could be seen peeking through the clouds. With one look, Sooah could see that Alex didn’t seem much in a rush and wondered if she could use that opportunity to strike a conversation with him. Not that she was expecting another date. It just felt nice to see a familiar face. “How have you been since the... last time?”
