Bobobubble Tea

“Strawberry lychee orange with brown sugar boba for Christina!”

“Jasmine milk tea with a shot of vanilla for Garrett!”

I expertly punched in customer’s orders into the system as behind me, Jason Gu wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead while he mixed milk and green tea into the blender. “Your total is thirteen dollars and thirty-three cents. Cash or credit?”

“Credit please,” the customer replied. He slid his card into my hand, and I swiped it.

“Have a great day,” I gently smiled at him and his daughter, who only looked like five years old and had the most adorable set of pigtails. I gave him the card back, and they both shuffled away, laughing. I turned towards Jason and rolled my eyes. “Bro, hurry up with those drinks!”

“Sorry, Ari.” Jason rolled his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell Megan to hurry up too?” he jutted his chin out towards our friend who was frantically whipping out drinks to the customers. Megan had her earbuds in one ear, so loud, I could hear the K-pop blasting from it as she swirled oolong tea around in a milk tea.

“Because I’m your boss,” I shot back.

“Yeah, right you are,” Jason sighed. “More like I’m your boss,” Jason rolled his eyes.

“If you forgot, I’m the daughter of the owners, Jason,” I grinned at him and then turned towards the short line of customers. Then shock hit me when I saw who walked through the doors. Ugh. Seriously? Austin Park, the guy who thought he was the king of the school, and some type of basketball god was at the door of one of my parent’s many boba shops. His chestnut eyes and perfect complexion with tousled black hair was so annoying. Despite the fact he was obviously super cute, I found him the most annoying guy to ever had existed.

“We got company,” Megan muttered undertone as she walked past me, carrying a pitcher of freshly brewed coffee.

“I can see that,” I gritted my teeth. Another thing about Park was that I was his ex. We dated for two years up till sophomore year, and after major fights, we broke up. Of all the boba shops in the area, he just had to choose mine. Well, of course he had to choose mine. Bobobubble Tea absolutely dominated the area.

“Start working, Ari,” Jason slapped the back of my head playfully, his hand holding a whisk.

“Ow!” I winced. I diverted my attention back to the customer in front of me and plastered a smile on my face. “Welcome to Bobobubble Tea, what can I get for you?” After punching in orders for the next three customers (chocolate croissant, dragon fruit black tea, peach brown sugar milk tea, and pomegranate green tea) Park was finally at the front.

“What do you want?” I rolled my eyes.

“Ari, I don’t that’s how you treat customers, am I right?” Park smirked, casually brushing his fluffy black hair away from his face.

“Yeah, yeah, so what do you want?” I snapped.

“I’ll take...” Park looked at the menu long and hard. A whole thirty seconds passed in silence.

“If you don’t know then can you just move to the side, please?” I asked him, clearly impatient.

“There’s no one behind me though,” Park smiled. I knew he was just teasing me, taking his sweet time to order just to annoy me. “Any recommendations?”

“Hmm...” I mockingly said. “How about you leave and get out my face?”

“Nice way to treat me,” Park grinned, only making me more infuriated. “Order something for me, will you?”

“Fine,” I smiled back. I added the entire rose and orange drink series, three apple mochi, and a large raspberry soft serve. “Total is 57.42,” I grinned cheerfully. He didn’t even say anything and handed me his card.

I was tempted to groan as I swiped his card. I thought that would have been his breaking point.

“Ari,” Park looked at me, his tone serious for once. “Where are your parents?”

“Why?” I snorted.

“I want to talk to them,” Park replied. I scoffed, thinking this was some type of joke.

“They’re coming in thirty. Why, you want a job or something?” I asked.

“Maybe.”

A customer came through the door, and I loudly said, “If you could just wait for your drinks over there, sir.”

“Thanks, Ari,” he winked at me and walked over to one of the egg chairs, plopping himself down. I turned towards Jason, who was looking at me like I had lost my mind.

“The entire rose and orange drink series? Seriously, Ari? That’s like seven, eight drinks!” Jason looked like he was about to cry.

“Suck it up, Jason,” I rolled my eyes. I turned towards the next customer, plastering a bright smile on my face. “Welcome to Bobobubble Tea!” Thirty minutes passed, and I was pleased to see that our shop had done well.

“Hey,” Jason came up to me while the shop closed for a quick lunch break.

“Hey,” I smiled as I took off my apron and walked over to the fridge in the kitchen. Megan had left a few minutes earlier to go grab some Chick fil A, so it was left to me and Jason.

“He’s still here,” Jason dropped his voice down a notch and looked out to the dining area. I rolled my eyes. So, it was me, Jason, and Park.

“I thought he left already,” I scowled.

“Can I go say hi, though?” Jason looked at me.

“NO!” I frowned.

“Bro, he’s my friend though,” Jason gave me a blank stare. He was a whole head taller than me, and I felt short and puny compared to him. Jason was always towering over me- so annoying. Even if I was tall on a good day, of course he had to mention his height- six foot.

“Fine, shorty,” I sighed and then took out a wooden container from the fridge.

“Thanks, even shorter,” Jason smirked at me. So annoying. He strolled out of the kitchen towards the dining area, and I could hear him exclaim excitedly. Half annoyed and disgusted, I marched out of the kitchen with gusto, my food in one hand. I brandished a pair of metal chopsticks in one hand and leaned over the counter, snapping open my container to reveal three onigiri. I swiped my half-finished mango green tea honey boba and gave it a few shakes. Munching on the salmon mayo with rice and seaweed, I glared at Park and Jason chatting. Surprisingly, all the plastic cups with boba in it were empty, and the plate with the apple mochi were all gone except for crumbs. The soft serve was nowhere in sight.

“How’s volleyball?” Park asked Jason.

“Good man, Ari came to my last game, didn’t you Ari?” Jason turned towards me. I swallowed my onigiri and sipped some of my boba.

“I’ve been to every single one of your games,” I looked at him blankly. It was true. Jason had been my best friend since middle school, and I had supported him in everything he did. Even though he didn’t even need any support- an amazing genius at math that was already taking multivariable calculus in junior year, athletic volleyball player, and of course his pretty good looks. Girls threw themselves at him, and I didn’t see a reason why.

“Oh yeah. How do you think I played?” Jason asked.

“Good, but you could work on your spikes a little more. You missed a few during the last couple points,” I shrugged and took another sip of my boba.

“Oh, so are you guys dating?” Park asked. This kid.

“No!” Jason and I both shot at him in unison.

“Oh, you guys are cute together though,” Park shrugged.

“Whatever man,” Jason shrugged. “She’s annoying. And she’s got a date tonight. You want anything? On the house?”

“Hey, who makes the rules around here?” I snapped at him.

“Your parents,” Jason replied with a smirk forming around his mouth.

“Yeah, and as the owner’s daughter, I’m technically in charge,” I looked at him pointedly. I didn’t want to give Austin Park any free things from my shop. That would just be a waste of money. Besides, he was already a waste of space.

“Whoa slow down. Ari’s got a date tonight? Yo, with who?” Park leaned in, eager for the tea. (No pun intended).

“None of your business, Park,” I rolled my eyes as I took another swig out of my boba. Mm, yum.

“Call me by my first name, Ari,” Park gritted his teeth.

“Fine, Austin,” I shrugged carelessly.

“Good. Now, who’s your date?” Park asked. “Oh, and Jason, a lavender milk tea with aloe vera pearls would be great. Hold on the sweetness though,” Park turned towards Jason.

“Got it,” Jason smiled. He got up from his seat and walked past me into the kitchen. He stopped walking and grinned at Park. “She’s going out with Tyler Walker,” he called.

“Jason!” I yelled. Jason merely gave me a little mischievous smile and disappeared into the kitchen.

“What? Tyler? You’re going out with a white guy?” Park asked, feigning shock.

“Haha, very funny, Park. He asked me out on Friday. And he’s half Japanese,” I rolled my eyes. This guy was making me more annoyed by the second.

“How did you get him though? He’s so hot. All mixed kids are hot,” Park shot back.

“You gay or something?” I bit back a smile.

“Nah. I’m just saying. He’s really hot. Girls love him,” Park shrugged. “How’d you get him?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Must be my charisma.” Park got up from his seat and walked towards me, leaning across the counter, inches away from my face. I froze.

“He must had saw something I saw three years ago,” Park quietly replied. He cocked his head and studied me. I resisted the urge to back away. Couldn’t lose this face off.

“Hmm,” he muttered and looked deep into my eyes. He reached out and tucked a piece of my dark brown hair behind my ear. “Probably your good looks.”

I could feel my cheeks blush and burning. He was so annoying. And cute. But that was beside the point, because I could feel some of my heartbreak coming back like a chronic disease. Shoving the tears that began to prickle in my eyes away, I leaned in towards him, my hand clasped around my boba, and I gave him a small, sad smile. “That all you saw in me those years we dated?” Backing away quietly, I went into the kitchen, away from my ex.

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I went into the bathroom and gave myself a pep talk. Park was only my ex. He didn’t matter anymore, and I had a hot date coming up. I splashed some water onto my face and smoothed my dark brown Dutch braids underneath my bright red baseball cap. I studied my face. Park said I had good looks. Petite face, soft brown eyes and a smooth complexion. Dark lashes coated in thick mascara. My mouth was a small pink flower, my nose really, really small. Did I get a good genetic package deal? Probably. I was pretty tall, if I said so myself, thanks to my 5’10 dad and my 5’7 mom. Slender limbs that were flexible from my gymnastics. I dried my face with a paper towel and headed outside, adjusting my jean shorts and oversized bright red hoodie. Jason and Park were talking, Jason sipping a brown sugar milk tea (boring) and Park with his fancy lavender aloe vera drink.

“Hey guys,” the doorbell chimed, and my mom fluttered into the shop, looking like a complete knockout dressed in her dark green suit with a white tee and her hair perfectly in curls. Despite all the praise from people that said we looked like sisters; I believed that my mom was way more gorgeous than me. She could have easily been a model, but instead, she was a lawyer. She was carrying a briefcase, apparently, she just came back from court. She also carried a box of lemon bars.

“How’d the case go, Mom?” I asked sipping my drink.

“Easy win,” Mom replied casually as she looked at Jason and Park. She set her briefcase and the box of lemon bars on one of the tables. “The other lawyer had practically zero evidence. What’s he doing here?”

“Mrs. Yang, hi,” Park nervously shifted on his feet. He remembered Mom’s coolness and her suave attitude, and it seemed like it was the only thing that he wasn’t unnerved by.

“Aiden, wasn’t it?” Mom raised her eyebrows. I held back a snicker. This was going to be fun to watch.

“It’s actually Austin,” Park replied, his cheeks flushing.

“Oh sorry. I just completely forgot about you, you know, you seem like such a minor person since Ari has dated so many other people after you. Pity,” Mom flashed him a quick, fake smile. Go Mom!

“Oh, she has?” Park nervously swallowed.

“Uh, obviously! Just look at her,” Mom laughed. “Cute girl like her can pull anyone, don’t you think so? But unfortunately, you just weren’t what she was looking for,” Mom shook her head sadly and laughed a little. Park looked extremely embarrassed now. “Anyway, what the heck are you doing here?” Mom stopped laughing and shot at him with a rapid question.

“I’m here for a job,” Park hesitantly replied.

“A job? Why?” Mom narrowed her eyes.

“I need money,” Park answered, nervously raking a hand through his luxurious black hair. The hair that I so desperately wanted to rake my hands through, but I quickly stomached the urge.

“And why here?” Mom frowned.

“I like boba?” Park answered awkwardly.

Mom sighed. “Who doesn’t? Well, probably lactose intolerant people,” she corrected herself. “Any other reason?”

“You guys are one of the most popular chains in the area?” Park grimaced. Oh God, he was failing this interview. I had to stop myself from doubling over from laughter.

“Hmm,” Mom squinted his eyes at him. “You got a resume?”

“Yes,” Park reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Mom snatched it, read it, taking in every word.

“Not bad at all. It says here you worked at a smoothie place before? Smoothie King?” Mom asked.

“Yeah,” Park anxiously replied.

“Mom, you’re seriously not considering him, right?” I asked her, my own anxiety starting to climb. She ignored me. Oh my God.

“So, you got some experience handling drinks. Your grades are decent, but for all our high school employees, we require them to have at least a 3.5 GPA,” Mom looked at Park.

“And every high schooler employee here has a 4.0 or better GPA, Mom. May as well up the standard,” I said through clenched teeth.

“Ari, be quiet,” Mom hissed at me in Chinese. Heck, she wasn’t even Chinese, she was Thai, but again, she was an immigration lawyer and could speak five languages perfectly. English, of course, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, and Japanese.

“I’m already a 3.8, Mrs. Yang,” Park assured Mom.

“Fine. When can you start?” Mom asked him, a small smile creeping up on her face.

“Mom!” I exclaimed angrily. She couldn’t be serious.

“Ari,” Mom warned dangerously. “We’re already short-staffed on the weekends, and we could really use an extra hand.”

“Megan, Jason and I already manage perfectly well. Mom, please,” I begged her.

“Well, not well enough,” Mom snapped. She spotted my hurt look and softened her tone. “Okay, you guys do an amazing job, but seriously. Imagine all the potential you could get with not only three people, but four. Besides, this is the crown jewel of all the Bobobubble Teas! Right next to all the best schools in the state. Four people is perfect.”

I opened my mouth and closed it, unable to come up with a good response.

“So, when can you start?” Mom asked.

“One sec,” Park muttered and took out his phone. “I can start um, Tuesday,” Park checked his calendar.

“Perfect. Ari can train you,” Mom continued.

“MOM!” I nearly shrieked.

“Keep your voice down,” Mom snapped in Chinese. “The people walking outside might be able to hear you.”

I could barely contain my anger. My own mother, who knew how much crap I went through because of Park, betrayed me by hiring him. She glanced at the clock (custom designed by me) on the wall and sighed. “I got to get home. Your dad is taking me out on a date tonight,” Mom said. She looked at the lemon bars. “Don’t eat too much,” she warned in Chinese.

“I won’t.” I promised, because I lost my appetite. The Tuesday Austin Park came to work with Bobobubble Tea would be one of the saddest days of my life.