"You can take this lecture to discuss your assignment amongst yourselves. You will have to present the story at the end, so do well."
Perhaps it wouldn't be wrong to call it planned. That was only a fitting descriptor for the efficiency I had witnessed.
Being a member of the classroom, I had done my best to maintain a simple social standing. While I was certain no one would particularly mind having me in their group beyond a 'oh, we've barely talked, this might be awkward,' I was also certain that no one would go out of their way to invite me into their team.
A six-person group assignment was the worst. Group assignments in general were the worst. I thought I would have to wait around and join the group of students who would be left out, but the very opposite happened.
Sparks flew from one corner of the classroom. High-speed communication beyond the level of a mere student in a rom-com story took place.
Lia and Emily, both of Anna's friends, suddenly stood up and grabbed their desks.
"Anna, over here," said Lia.
On the other hand, Emily whistled and pointed her chin at the two guys looking at them.
Their destination? My desk.
Before I could even react, the two girls had put their desks next to mine.
"Hey, Abel!" Emily tapped my shoulder, her blonde hair bobbing along with her head as she smiled brightly. "You are Anna's good friend, right? Let's do this one together."
Lia nodded, her arms naturally resting on the joined table. The other three, Sebastian, Eric, and Anna also made their way here one by one, joining us. Three desks were enough, so they only brought their chairs.
Anna mouthed a 'sorry' as she walked over, and I only nodded back.
What was this situation?
***
It took a few minutes for all the students to disperse and get into their groups. We were seated in a circle around the three tables quite perfectly, with me sandwiched between Sebastian and Eric.
"So!" Emily said, "A story, does anyone have anything to go off of?"
"Oh, oh! I know," Sebastian jumped right in. "There was this one time Eric and I tried gambling online."
"Sebastian, idiot. That's not a good story."
"Oh right. I don't think I should talk about that."
"Guys, seriously?" Emilia sighed, holding her head. "It's barely been a month since school started and you're already doing this."
"Disappointing," Lia added. "What is the site by the way? So I can avoid it."
"Lia!"
"Tsk."
Emilia shook her head and decided to change the topic. She turned to her left. "Anna, tell them a proper story."
Anna seemed to be thinking; she shuddered and shot me a fleeting glance. "H-how about a girl getting kidnapped by some criminals…?"
"Based in reality," Lia said matter-of-factly. Sebastian and Eric, on the other hand, cracked a grin, holding back their laughter.
"Goof. Alright, Anna's out, but I like the idea of an action story. Abel! What about you, do you have any stories that would fit well?"
Everyone turned to me at Emilia's words.
An action story… huh.
I crossed my arms and thought for a second. A realistic tale, with some action…
Anna audibly gulped from the side. When I looked at her, she seemed to be shaking her head.
"Sorry. Nothing," I said.
"Won't Lia have something?" Sebastian said right away. It seemed deliberate, as if to take away any awkwardness from our conversation. "Your dad was a marine, right?"
"That's my dad. There's no point to this. Whatever we come up with, it won't be a story about 'us,'"
"What do you suggest then?" Anna asked. "Do you think we should have an experience that includes everyone?"
"Right, exactly that," Lia crossed her arms. Though her expressions and tone hadn't changed much, I could see her lips turn up a little this time. "Let's go and create an experience with all of us. A story will pop up on its own."
"That's right," Eric said. "As they say, a good storyteller can make even a trip to the corner store read like an epic."
"It's decided then," Emilia said. "Are all of you free after school today?"
Everyone turned to Anna, who put a thumbs up.
"No work," she said.
"Abel?" Lia turned to me. "Would that be okay?"
Now that I was in this, there was no escaping. If I had to do it, I should finish it sooner rather than later. And well…
… It might not hurt to get along with Anna's friends.
"I'm free."
This was precisely why I didn't want to get involved with them, though.
***
[Anna: Sorry! U even said u'll be l8 2day >_<]
[: What does that even mean?]
[Anna: I thought it was funny.]
[Anna: Anyway, I didn't expect Lia and Em to jump you like that. Sorry again.]
[Anna: If you are busy we should reschedule this]
[: You barely get free days. I am fine. Just will be late when I come home.]
[Typing…]
"Hey!"
I looked up from my phone as a refreshing blonde youth walked toward me. I was waiting near the gates for the others when Sebastian appeared. He tossed me a can of cold coffee.
"Thanks," I said as I grabbed it. I was about to reach into my pocket, but Sebastian spoke again.
"Abel, no way. You don't need to pay me for this."
"I insist."
"No chance. Just buy me something next time instead."
I stared at Sebastian.
He stared right back.
***
Anna and Emilia were the last to reach the meet-up spot, which was just the main gates. The two of them sighed and apologized for being late.
"Alright!" Emilia said, raising her hands high. "Now that all of us are here, let's go make some memories."
"Where are we off to again?" asked Eric.
"That… Huhu," Emilia chuckled. "I thought long and hard and concluded we should go to the arcade. Any objections?"
"You just want to play games, don't you?"
"No way, it has a lot of potential, Lia! Their gambling comment made me realize that even if nothing happens, the arcade can be made tense."
"You just want to play games."
"Alright, fine." Emilia conceded. "But like, I've been wondering."
She looked at us, her brows scrunched. Sebastian and I were both standing with our arms draped over each other's shoulders.
"When did you become so close?"
"Right now."
"Mhm."