Project: Sunday for Strangers

(1) Project

As I open the glass door of the coffee shop. I could see different people with different businesses to attend. Students from different schools are the ones who are occupying almost all the tables available in the coffee shop. Well, it does make sense because the coffee shop is located in the middle of the streets. Surrounded by those big universities. Including the university I attended. I could feel the peaceful ambiance of the coffee shop, coffee flavors, and sweet pastries occupy my nostrils. As I searched for a familiar face it took me a minute or two to find Jamaica, a classmate of mine in one of my classes. She was seated on a six-chair table at the end of the coffee shop where no one would walk through. She was so focused on the book she was reading that she did not even notice that I had arrived. I got her attention when I sat across her, facing one another.

"Good afternoon, you have arrived just on time, unlike the others.” She greeted me with a bitter tone, penetrating how some of our group mates had not yet arrived.

I just nodded my head. We are not that close having some chitchats and it would be awkward if we talk about random stuff. I just grab my phone from my tote bag and message the others. It is already three in the afternoon. We plan to meet at this coffee shop at three in the afternoon to make a plan for this annoying project in this annoying subject. Yet they did not arrive on time. After forming the message, I hit the send button with annoyance as I still need to study for the final examination, and they are wasting my time. As time passed by I continuously glanced at the glassed door of the coffee shop. Wishing one of our group mates would come for I could not bare the awkward silence me and Jamaica have.

I was about to stand up to order some drinks for us, when Jamaica put down her book, and took her phone. “I hate it. When people follow the thing called Pilipino time. They are wasting time. Look, it is already three-fifteen in the afternoon and they are not here yet. How irresponsible of them. Alright, I understand that we have different businesses to attend to. But this meeting is already planned, talked, and decided.” She angrily said while checking her phone if some of our group mates that are not here replied to the message that I had send in our group chat.

Jamaica Reyes, she is always at the top of the honor roll that she is often teased as the golden girl of the humanities department. We become classmates since our junior year but this is the first time she and I have this kind of conversation, well I do not even know when was the last time I approach her or say morning greetings to her. But I know for sure that she is strict and she have this temper.

I do not know on what to response to her remarks. Gosh this is so awkward on my part. Would I also rant or just stare at her? I was about to get drown on my thought when a red duffle bag was shoved on the table that almost hit Jamaica's lemonade. But that move earn a glare from Jamaica.

“I am so sorry. I was late.” Louise pantingly said as he seated beside me.

And there he was, our school's basketball captain Louise Nicolas. He is not only known for being our school's best basketball player, he is also known for being handsome. I feel like some of his fan girls are just being exaggerated but I cant hide the fact that eventhough he is just wearing his varsity uniform, covered with sweat, he still looked attracted.

"What did I miss? Sorry again for being late. Our coach kinda punished the team." He explained while wiping some of the sweats that covers his face.

“Did you bring some clothes? We are going to film our self-introduction today, and you are all sweaty and unpleasant to look at.” Jamaica started frowning at Louise's appearance. I become uncomfortable as I glanced at Louise, observing if he got offended at Jamaica's rude remarks.

“Yes, don't worry madam. I did bring my school uniform. Also, I brought my camera in case of an emergency.” Louise replied he did not look offended after all. Good there is no need to worry Eleonore, this won't cause a fight. Having a misunderstanding with my other groupmates is no room for this project. For I or rather we needed to finish this project as early as possible.

"Do you want something to eat or drink? My treat, a compensation for being late." Louise joyfully offered as he looked at the counter.

"Do you want something?" he asked, giving his attention on me.

"Thanks but I am fine." I answered. As I feel uncomfortable by the way he looked. His brown eyes looked captivating.

He also asked Jamaica, at first I thought she would also decline the offer but

"Buy me another lemonade, thats the payment of wasting my time." Jamaica said as she rolled her eyes that earned a laugh for Louise before excusing himself.

As Louise stand in line in the counter one of our member just enter the cafe.

“Guys! Sorry I forgot our schedule I just got carried away from my clubs activities.” Rafaela barged in carrying her academic books, pink big notebook, and hawk bag. She looked stressed. Her black jet hair was in a messy bun but she still looked presentable. Rafaela Deguzman, our class secretary.

An akward silence covers our table as I and Jamaica did not give a respond to her excuse.

"Here is your lemonades ladies." Thank God, Louise is back in our table carrying his orders. I see he bought all of us a drink.

Our table was filled with short awkward talks as we wait for our last member. Two minutes later, the cafe was filled with gasp. Unique just entered the cafe, he looked so neat and formal wearing his blue polo shirt tucked in with his black trousers. He casually seated and put his coffee on the table.

"You dimwit Louise I thought you won't attend this meeting! You should have called me." Unique said as he throw a table napkin at Louise. Louise just laugh and stuck his tongue out.

Unique Saavedra, our school's rising star. Well he is a known actor of our generation. I actually got surprised that he is attending school eventhough he had this busy schedule. And he also lived his name, he is unique on his own way.

"Surprise my baby Unique I attended." Louise teases.

To my surprise Unique did not even explain why he was late, nor said sorry for wasting our time. Whydoes almost all of them are for late this meeting? That I could sense the annoyance of Jamaica.

"Now that all of us are here, can we now start on how to start and end this stupid project?" Jamaica said with a lace of annoyance in it.

Our project did not even started yet why do I feel like my energy just got drained? Oh somebody just help us.