Chapter IV

It was already a few minutes before six in the evening and the sun bid us farewell; the moon now smiling down on us in a modest bloom of silver and yellow light swirling in a ballet of ribbons.

I was waiting by the glass door to the alfresco of the same fast food chain branch I worked in. Holding the mixer here (I decided to call it a mixer as it obviously was) proved to be of many advantages. First was the proximity of the place to my apartment. The next was the discount I had for being an employee here.

I just finished my third cup of creamed-coffee and I was getting fidgety thanks to the caffeine. Not long afterwards, Barry came in along with three other girls and a guy I don't know. I raised my hand up to let them know where I was. I was greeted with an ear-to-ear grin form Barry.

Barry was in a fitted, V-neck, grey shirt topped with his sporty looking brown-and-maroon varsity jacket. He had skinny jeans on paired with his grey-black thrashers. He happily escorted his company to the table where I was.

The other guy was about two inches taller than me. He had pail skin and curly hair. I wasn't able to tell his eye color as he wore thick framed round-glasses and was focused on his phone. He had one of those three-forth sleeved shirts that are so in today. Other than that, there was nothing else out of the ordinary about him.

The first girl to sit was an inch taller than me. She had a white, backless, sleeveless shirt that made great emphasis on the fairness of her skin. The shirt also stretched near the chest area, giving focus to the healthy bosom she cared for in there. She had bleached skinny jeans along with a pair of purple-and-black laced sneakers.

She had blonde-dyed hair that reached a few millimeters above her rear. She had a pair of squinty blue eyes, either genetic or due to lack of sleep. She gave off an ambiance of sportsmanship and elegance. I better not mess with this chic.

The other two were twins, each with a smiling façade that would've been perfect except for the boredom lying deep beneath their pitch-black eyes. They wore matching pink shirts with a blue bird print.

They all pushed themselves into the table, making me push myself nearer the glass windows at the left most corner of the table facing the girls' side. Once everyone was seated, Barry decided to elect himself as the host of this event. Not that I mind. In fact, I don't care about anything right now; I just want this to end as early as possible.

"Now, then," started Barry with his usual grin. "I would like to start by having everyone introduce themselves starting from . . . Ted." The pause seemed too unnatural, as if rehearsed. Just how far ahead has he planned to get me into this?

I cleared my throat. I was getting nowhere so I might as well play along Barry's schemes. "I am Ted Rivera." I began my introduction. "I am 19 years old and a Philosophy Major at Barry's school."

I looked to my right. The guys with curly hair let out a soft sigh. "Very well," he started. "My name is Charles Anthony Gumabaw. I am a Philosophy Major as well. Only I am a year higher than these guys."

I thought he was done but he turned to me instead. "Now, judging from the brown smudge on the left corner of your lower lip, I'd say you've had at least three cups of coffee. Given the irregular movement of your irises, I'd say you're now experiencing a rush . . .caffeine obviously. Thus, you are either really curious of the people outside the store or you're staring too intently at one of the girls at the other side. Also, the hoody you have on has at least been used for two weeks straight. Given the authentication of its logo, I can say that you are from a not-so-humble beginning. This leads us to the Rivera, as in the clothing manufacturer's Rivera."

Barry clapped his hand as if he expected that to happen. "My turn," he says. "My name is Barry Osborn, and I am 19. I am the captain of the Volleyball Men's Varsity team. I am also a Logic Freak like these two blokes here. I am fund of reading, hitting balls, music, and hitting more balls."

The twins laughed, and this time it felt true. I can't really say for sure, it just felt warm, refreshing even. But the sweetness in their expression didn't last as their usual facade came back just as quick. I quickly looked away, still cautious of the smart guy beside me.

Now you might be wondering: what’s up with their names? Why are most of them foreign? It sounds like something written by an angsty teenager for a RomCom. But in reality, only a well-off foreign family can stand to send their kids to pursue courses like Philosophy as they don’t “generate income” like engineering or accountants.

Barry gave me a knowing smile. "Ted, something tells me you've been observing for a while now, care to tell what you've got under that thick skull of yours?"

"I like to keep my thoughts to myself for now, please." I humbly refused.

The three girls opposite us looked at the two of us accusingly, as if we'd just spelled out something we shouldn't have. We smiled at them as best as we could to ease their tension. Somehow, I feel like the tall Volleyball lady would rip my head clean off of my shoulders if I don't play nice.

"Oh, don't mind us. Just having a little conversation to ourselves, that's all." I played it off. I slightly waved my hands out in front of me, behind is an awkward smile that is sure to fool almost anyone.

"Uh-huh. It's just us, two ordinary guys having a little chat." Barry laughed it off. What is he thinking? No one's going to buy that from him.

"Anyway," said the blonde chic, "It's my turn to introduce myself. The name is Winter, Winter Schnee . . . I don't have much to say as Barry has already said it."

Barry suddenly sat straight up as he realized something. "Oh, that's right . . ." he started. "Ted, I asked Winter to be your partner in the Philosophy Finals. She said 'yes', so I figured you'd be delighted." I heard the twins go “Ooh~”.

Barry stood up and got everyone's orders. Soon after, he headed to the counter to take them. He came back seven minutes later with a tray and asked me to get the other one. I grumbled to myself but did as he wished. I wouldn't want the girls to see us quarrelling.

After everyone was settled in with their meals, we decided to continue the chat. “So, what are you two up to these days?” Barry asked the twins. “I feel bad for having to cut you girls off to take everyone’s orders.”

“That’s okay.” said one of the twins.

“We don’t have much to say anyway.” said the other.

“Well, you can start by telling us your names.” Charles said.

The twins looked at each other and laughed nervously. “My name’s Gale Roberts.” said one. “And my name is Hail.” said the other. Whenever they talk, it seems that Gale takes the initiative followed by Hail who follows her lead.

“I am a Mass Communications Student at a University not far from here. We are childhood friends with Winter, and she begged us to come along.” Winter gave them a sour look, but the twins just smiled at her. I guess even she is no match for these two.

“I am an Engineering student. I was born three minutes after Gale.” She smiled at us, but she didn’t seem like she was going to say more.

Gale leaned in close to me, as we were the ones opposite each other. “Ted, was it?” She looked at me as she bit her lip. “I like you. Rich and powerful, not to mention good looking. You have genes worth passing on to.”

I flinched and reflexively covered my face. Winter pulled her back down to her seat and let out a sigh of resignation. “Sorry about that, this woman has boundary issues.”

Hail gave a timid smirk and said, “Are you sure you’re not just saying that ‘coz you wanna keep your prey to yourself?”

There was tension in the room so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Barry cleared his throat and refocused everyone’s attention. “Well, what are you guys up to nowadays?”

“Not much, my load isn’t really all that packed to be honest.” Charles said. “And pls stop staring at me.” He turned a sharp eye to Hail, and she feigned a smile. Charles returned to his phone as if nothing happened.

I noticed a familiar figure enter the store from the corner of my eyes. It was a frail girl, seemingly walking robotically like a French doll. She was wearing short shorts that reached just a few centimeters above her knee. She had a white hoody-jacket over a plain black shirt. Her hair was tied to a short, bright-red tail with a scrunchy.