“Sorry I’m running late Mrs. Maria.” Sina gasped in the phone as she wrestled her bike lock that someone manage to jam a stick in. She tried to run from Moon-Byul today to save time and get to work early today but it was fruitless as that girl still manage to beat her with her gang again.

Sina support a fresh and throbbing bruise on her cheek and her body ached as a result of their beating, but she was proud to say she manage to get some punches in here and there, even thou her hands suffered because of it. 

Pulling the phone away to swear as her hand was cut by her endless efforts to break the lock of, she sighed relieved and chucked the broken lock in her bag, she would get a new one in the morning on her way to school.

“It's understandable dear, you are working hard in school, come as soon as you can we are really busy tonight, my nephew is coming and I need some extra hands while I see him for a little while.”

Sina forced a cheery tone to hide her ruffled state as she struggled to ride her bike with one hand, “Ah! Of course I also understand that! I am on my way now! So don’t you worry I’ll be there in less than ten minutes!”

After saying a quick goodbye Sina shoved her phone in her pocket and made her way as fast as she could to get to the restaurant her part time job was at.

The restaurant was medium in size but very popular as it served fried chicken and traditional Korean dipping noodles as the main entries or in another case the most frequent item people tended to order. Its name followed that of the owner, “Mrs.Maria’s Savory Haven.”

It paid her enough to get through her rent for about three months at a time and she was more than happy to accept the job as soon as she passed the interview round.

Upon arriving she jumped off her bike and pushed it in the back break room, before quickly yanking on her apron she shoved her hair up into a bun and clocked in.

“Hey Brat! How could you show up so late!” Her coworker Yung-Shae Lung shouted over the nose and chatter at the restaurant.

“It was my after school study group again! My bad Unni!” She lied and shouted back making her way to the front desk to grabbed menus.

Sina jumped in and worked over the chaos and rush hour that came in and out, she didn’t pause for a break until the main people in there were only ordering drinks at that point. Checking the time to see it was a few minutes past midnight she made her way to the bar to pick up a table drink order when a voice made her stop.

“What happened to your face and hand desk partner? You were fine earlier today.”

Almost dropping the Soju in her hands she turned as was surprised to see the new transfer student standing across from her in sweatpants and a hoodie with a coke in his hands.

“What…” She trailed off not knowing what to say for a second.

The teen picked up what she was trying to put into words and slipped into a seat at the bar.

“My aunt owns the shop here and since it's close to the school I was going to stay with her for a while since her apartment is right upstairs, my cousin also lives here, but he keeps to himself.”

Sina shut her mouth that was open and scowled, “Hey Transfer Student, even if Mrs. Maria is your aunt, you still can’t sit at the bar it's not meant for minors.”

Transfer student laughed and got up, “My bad once again, thou I’m assuming you work here then desk partner?”

“Obviously guy its not like I’m back here wearing the apron for shits and giggles.” Sina shoved past him and delivered the drinks to the table that ordered them before going behind the bar counter again.

“You know my name is HaRoo Nuan right?” Transfer student said not moving from the spot he was in earlier except this time he was standing.

“You know my name is Sina Minho right?” She mocked back pulling out a notebook and writing down the amount of tables she served.

“Ohh? So I can call you Sina then?” The teen asked fighting off a smirk while sipping on his soda.

Sina bit her lower lip and took a breath in, "Listen up transfer student we just meet why are you speaking to me like we have known each other all our lives? Just call me Minho or Gutter like everyone else does I don’t care.”

He frowned and nodded his head, “Why do they call you Gutter?”

“You’ll find that answer out tomorrow or the day after tomorrow guy, so just chill okay?”

“But you…” Whatever he was going to say next was cut off by Mrs. Maria’s voice.

“Ahh Minho! You already seem to know my nephew! Makes sense as the two of you are going to the same school!”

Sina smiled glad that she cut of what Nuan was going to ask her or say.

“Of course Mrs. Maria it's an honor to meet you nephew!”

“Ohhh you flatter me so! Your such a sweet girl! HaRoo be nice to Minho okay? She a very smart girl and hardworking! Get tutoring from her your bad a math anyways!”

Sina almost broke her bearing and fought to hold back a laugh as the transfer student’s ears went red with embarrassment.

“Aunty! Why do you say such unnecessary things!” He said with a grimace.

“Don’t be silly if you need help ask Minho I’m sure she wouldn’t mind, plus your future is important!”

“Haha well see.” Sina said but she knew deep down that wasn’t going to happen and that he would need to seek out a different source if that's the case.

Looking at the time Sina quickly said a quick goodbye to them and rushed back to the break room to clock out of work for today. She wanted to leave the restaurant as soon as she could before any more run ins with the new student.

As she struggled to push her bike back out the back door she grumbled to herself when she saw the new student waiting for her in the front. She was tempted to just flat out ignore him and jump on her bike and ride away, but of course he cut her off.

“Wait a second Minho!” He called out to her the soda no longer in his hands.

Rolling her eyes at him she responded “That very unnecessary for you to shout like that when I’m right here.”

“Ahh okay well …I was asked by my aunt to walk you home but it seems you have a bike.”

“Wow good observation, I don’t need an escort by the way so go back inside.” She said climbing on the bike and resting her foot on the pedal as she adjusted her bag for a second.

The teen stared at her during the process before he sighed and a puff of air came out from his mouth from the cold air.

“If I may ask what did you mean earlier today? About the entire thing that you said? Also how did you get injured like that?”

Sina was just going to ignore him and not answer but seeing his worried expression made her decide against it, “Look this might be the last time we have a good conversation because sooner or later you’ll understand why those kids stay away from me. The injury was because I fell and it's really not a big deal or your business so don’t worry about it anymore. I’m going to leave now, what I said earlier isn’t rocket science and why should you care anyways?” 

Without giving him a chance to respond Sina pushed off her pedal and rode away from the restaurant without a single look back.

I hope you guys like my new story Behind My Eyes!

I know it's got a lot of work to go but I tried my best!

I’m very glad that many of you like Can You Hear My Heart? Please stay tuned for the next update chapter there!

As always I hope you enjoy it and thank you for your support as always!