"Table five! Move it!"
The manager's voice cut through the café.
Reus didn't answer. He was already moving.
A tray balanced in his hands—three iced coffees, condensation slipping down to his fingers. One mistake and it would cost him hours of work.
He moved between tables, careful, quiet.
Until—
"Wait… is that you?"
---
Reus stopped.
Slowly, he turned.
---
Three people stood near the counter.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
---
"…Reus?"
The guy in the middle leaned closer, then broke into a grin.
"No way. It's actually you."
---
The others turned.
And then—
They smiled.
---
Not like friends.
---
"Damn," one of them said, scanning him. "You work here?"
---
Reus tightened his grip on the tray.
"…Part-time."
---
"While studying?" another asked.
---
Reus nodded once.
---
A short laugh followed.
"That's rough."
---
Another stepped forward.
"You always said you were broke. Didn't think you meant *this* broke."
---
They chuckled.
Like it was nothing.
---
Reus kept his face still.
"I'll take your order."
---
"Oh, he's serious," one of them smirked. "Alright—three caramel macchiatos. Extra sugar."
He paused, then added—
"Since your life's already bitter."
---
Laughter.
Loud. Easy.
---
Reus didn't react.
"…Anything else?"
---
The girl with them crossed her arms.
"You're still in college, right?"
---
"…Yes."
---
"Working here and studying…" she said slowly. "Can you even keep up?"
---
"I manage."
---
"Managing isn't winning," the first guy said.
---
Silence.
---
Then he pulled out his phone.
"Come here a second."
---
Reus frowned.
"…Why?"
---
"Just come."
---
Reus stepped closer.
---
The front camera was already up.
---
"Smile."
---
Click.
---
Reus's expression hardened.
"…Delete it."
---
"Relax."
The guy turned the screen.
---
"Respect the grind, Old classmate working hard as a waiter."
---
Below it—
Reus.
Apron. Tray in hand.
Caught mid-shift.
---
Laughter broke out again.
---
"Motivation post."
"This is gold."
---
"Delete it," Reus repeated.
Lower.
---
Instead, the guy tapped a few more times.
Then—
Buzz.
---
Reus's phone vibrated in his pocket.
---
"Check it," the guy said, grinning.
---
Reus didn't want to.
But he did.
---
A notification.
High School Group Chat (27 messages)
---
He opened it.
---
A new message pinned at the top.
---
"Annual High School Gathering — Tonight, 8 PM. Don't miss it."
---
Below—
A photo.
---
Him.
---
Standing in the café.
Holding a tray.
---
Comments flooded in.
---
"Yo is that Reus??"
"Damn… what happened to him?"
"He still like this?"
"He better come tonight "
"We should help him out haha"
---
Reus's fingers froze on the screen.
---
Slowly—
He looked up.
---
They were watching him.
Smiling.
Waiting.
---
"You're coming tonight, right?" the first guy asked casually.
---
Reus didn't answer.
---
"Don't worry," another added with a grin, "we'll take care of you."
---
More laughter.
---
Something twisted in his chest.
---
Not pain.
Not anymore.
---
Something colder.
---
"…Your drinks will be ready soon."
---
He turned before they could say anything else.
---
Behind him—
The laughter continued.
---
Inside the kitchen, the air felt suffocating.
---
Reus placed the tray down.
Hard.
---
His phone was still in his hand.
The messages still coming.
---
"Don't be shy bro"
"Free food for you tonight"
"Come see how everyone made it"
---
Reus stared at the screen.
Long.
Silent.
---
"…I just need money."
---
The words slipped out, quiet and steady.
---
"Everything changes with money."
---
His grip tightened.
---
Tonight.
---
They wanted him there?
---
"…Fine."
---
His eyes hardened.
---
"I'll go."
---