Coffee

The final bell of the semester rang out, bringing an end to the routine classes and endless exams of the spring semester. It left us with the delightful taste of freedom. Finally, summer had arrived.

I hurriedly packed my textbooks into my bag, carefully zipping it closed, as if sealing away the weight of all those books and assignments from this world. Just as I was finishing up, John sauntered over to my desk, his face illuminated by a wide grin that seemed to span from one ear to the other.

"Hey, Reol, Adica," he said, "do you two have any plans for right now?"

"Not really..." I replied, glancing at Adica, who shared my sentiment with a gentle sway of her head.

"In that case," John continued, "wanna join me? There's this new café that opened up last month, and I've been meaning to check it out. My treat!"

The word "cafe" worked like a charm, igniting a spark of excitement on my face that couldn't be contained. Although the times I got to spend with the three of them in the library were really fun, it was hard to call it true fun when all we were surrounded by were notebooks and papers. I longed for a chance to bond like friends typically do. My gaze locked onto John, and I couldn't hide my delight any longer. "That sounds fantastic, John! Count me in. Let's turn it into our own end-of-semester party!"

Turning to Adica, I asked, "What do you think?"

"Now that classes are over, I think it's a welcome change of pace," Adica replied with a smile.

Emma, who had overheard our conversation, leaned in playfully. "What's brewing over here? A secret plan without me?"

John's responded, a casual lift of his shoulders accompanying his words. "Nothing much..."

"Yeah, just casual talk." I added, matching John's tone.

Our feeble attempts at subtlety failed, and we couldn't help but share a chuckle as we locked eyes, as if we were conspiring something behind Emma's back. Emma, noticing our shared amusement, pouted and playfully spun around in Adica's desk chair. "Come on, don't leave me out!"

I assured her, "It's just a trip to the café, Emma. Are you joining us?"

Emma's response was brimming with enthusiasm, as she couldn't contain her excitement just like me. "When did I even say no? If Adica's going, count me in too!"

The café was just a short walk away, tucked amidst a row of shops. My gaze often fell to the ground, where our feet created a playful dance of sorts. John's steps were confident and purposeful, each one landing on the pavement with a steady rhythm. Adica moved with deliberate grace, her steps measured and flowing, as if following a well-rehearsed routine. Emma, in contrast, practically skipped along, her steps light and bouncy.

Then there were my own steps, a tad less coordinated than the others. I occasionally stumbled over an uneven crack in the sidewalk or lost my balance when my thoughts consumed me. Sometimes, I would drift so deeply into my thoughts that I wouldn't even realize when I had fallen behind.

"Reol, are you feeling alright?" John's asked, as the words snapped me out. I noticed that the three of them had already gotten quite a bit ahead of me. With a few hurried steps, I closed the gap between us and replied, "I'm okay, John, just got lost in thought for a moment there."

Above the café's entrance, a charming wooden signboard hung, adorned with two clinking coffee cups and a few vines clinging onto the walls and windows. Inside, the café, greeted by its facade adorned with pots of thriving green plants. The bell right above the front door welcomed us as we stepped inside, and the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee sat above our senses.

Warm, inviting light bathed the interior. Soft jazz notes played in the background, setting the mood for our gathering. Following John's lead, we settled into a cozy corner table, where a small vase of fresh flowers was sitting on top of the table. As we sank into our seats, a friendly waiter approached to take our orders.

"Four iced coffees, please," John requested, casting a quick glance to ensure our preferences.

While I didn't particularly favor coffee, often opting for beverages with an extra pinch of sweetness, I found myself nodding along with Emma and Adica. I didn't want to be the odd one out with an unconventional order. The waiter noted our order and vanished behind the counter. Time ambled by in a comfortable hush, punctuated by the muffled conversations of other customers.

At last, four tall glasses of iced coffee arrived at our table. The glass itself was frosted, adorned with a clear, slender straw, light at the top but gradually deepening in color as they descended. A rich pour of coffee crowned the ice cubes, creating a dark, alluring pool within. Beads of moisture trickled down the side of the glass, leaving trails like tiny rivulets on a window during a light drizzle. Emma was the first to indulge, as she picked her glass up and her eyes slowly glowing brighter. "Wow, this is sweet and absolutely delicious."

wondered just how sweet it was. I took the next glass, sipping from the chilled straw which had also cooled along with the coffee. It was undeniably cool and initially quite bitter, but then the creamy touch of milk followed, softening the taste. The sweetness was indeed remarkable, leaving a gentle, lingering aftertaste with each sip.

"I had no clue it could be this amazing. I've been missing out!"

"Have you never tried iced coffee before?"

"Well, I've never had coffee this sweet in my life. What even is this?" I took another sip through the straw, and this time, the taste of the coffee hit me more directly. The cool liquid flowed through the straw, and the flavor blossomed in my mouth, revealing that wonderful combination of coffee's richness and the milk's sweetness. It was as though each sip delivered a concentrated burst of flavor, making it even more refreshing on a warm day.

Adica gently placed her glass on the table after a few sips. "Reol's right. It's not overly sweet, just the perfect balance."

"I should have listened to you earlier. This is truly amazing!" I couldn't help but think I might become a coffee enthusiast from now on, as long as it tastes just like this one. I could easily see myself sipping on this all day.

Adica chuckled, her eyes softening as she looked at our little group. "Perhaps it's meant to be this way when we're with our friends. Having someone else with you, especially your friends, just makes everything sweeter."

The clinking of glasses, the ringing of the bell as new customers entered, the friendly greetings, and the delightful company of my friends—it felt like my mind had suddenly become more attuned, time slowing down... and becoming sweeter with every passing moment. All my thoughts were filled with the sensation of being surrounded by friends, their warm presence making everything even sweeter.

Once we had finished, the waiter returned to collect our glasses and clear the table. We decided to indulge a little more and ordered a plate of macarons before the waiter disappeared once more behind the counter.

John leaned in, placing his hands on the table like a makeshift dome. "So, folks," he began, "how about we make the most of this summer break?"

Emma looked pensive for a moment before suggesting, "What do you think of a beach trip? We could spend our days basking in the sun, building sandcastles, and frolicking in the waves." She leaned on Adica, her fingers gently curling through Adica's hair. "Adica, any thoughts?"

"I don't have any specific plans for the summer, honestly. Just reading books and visiting the library. That's about it." 

John's enthusiasm bubbled as the conversation flowed. "And I heard there's a new water park by the beach. It could be an absolute blast!"

The idea of a thrilling summer vacation by the beach had all of us eagerly anticipating the adventure. It was the kind of experience I had often heard my old classmates talk about once the classes began in fall again, but I never had the opportunity to share it myself. Meanwhile, the waiter arrived with our macarons, placing the plate in the center of our table and offering a friendly smile before departing. Our conversation shifted to our individual summer plans. John mentioned that he had landed a part-time job as a lifeguard at the public pool. Emma, on the other hand, said that she would be working at an outdoor retail store near her house. You know, the one's where they sell hiking and camping equipments.

I guess I should start looking for a part-time job too. If I managed to save up a significant amount of money, I could finally move out from my family's home. Liam had done the same when he started college. Though the mere thought sent a shiver down my spine—living on my own, making my own decisions, and embracing the uncertain future that lay ahead.

"I suppose I should start looking for one as well."

"A part-time job?" John asked. "It's not too difficult. One of our seniors lives a block away from my house, and he actually helped me get this job."

"Reol, the store where I'll be working still has some open positions." Emma said, "If you're interested, I can put in a good word for you."

"Really? That would be incredibly helpful!"

Our conversation flowed on, brimming with ideas for what we could do during the summer. Before we knew it, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, and we realized that time had slipped away from us. Adica was the first to check her watch. "Wow, it's gotten quite late. We should probably head home soon." Emma agreed, her eyes shifting to the large window where the world outside had considerably darkened. "You're right. It's almost evening."

John signaled the waiter, asking for the bill. He paid and we then gathered our belongings, reluctantly leaving behind the cozy seats of the cafe. Stepping out onto the bustling street, the transition from the tranquil cafe to the vibrant cityscape was almost dizzying.

Our laughter and conversation continued as we walked back towards our homes. John was the first to bail out, followed my Emma, and like every day, it was just me and Adica to walk to the rest of the path together. Lately, something had changed between us, and I found myself less nervous in her presence. I don't know... it's just that my usual jitters had decided to take a back seat whenever she's around, as my nerves don't start jumping all of a sudden anymore. Reaching in front of Adica's house, she took her phone out from her bag, turning towards me. "Reol, would it be alright if we exchanged our phone numbers? That way, we can stay in touch during the summer."

For a second, my heart fluttered. This is the second time someone is asking for my phone number. And the first time for a girl. The nervousness got the good of me, making it a bit challenging to think straight for a brief moment. After regaining my composure, I offered a warm smile and reached for my phone. "Of course, Adica. I'd love that."