The group had been at it for hours. Calculations, timing charts, task rehearsals—it all blended into a blur of numbers, measurements, and shouted corrections. By mid-afternoon, everyone looked worn out, muscles stiff, and patience thinning.
Samuel rubbed his temples and muttered, "I don't think I've ever been this tired."
Anita groaned dramatically. "If I sit one more second, I might fall asleep right here."
Diane, ever composed, tapped her pen on the table, her eyes gleaming with a hint of smugness. "You two need to toughen up. Efficiency waits for no one."
Hope leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly, scanning the fatigued faces around her. She set her notebook aside. "We've earned a little break. Coffee, snacks—something to recharge before the next round."
James, who had been quietly organizing his notes, looked up immediately. "I'll come with you," he said, his voice calm but firm. "It'll be faster if we carry everything together. Plus, I need coffee too."
Hope blinked in surprise. "Are you sure? I can—"
"No," James interrupted gently, smiling faintly. "You've been running around enough. I insist. Let's go."
The café buzzed softly with students chatting over laptops and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine. Warm light bounced off the polished countertops, and the faint scent of roasted coffee beans filled the air. Hope and James wove through the crowd, balancing a tray with pastries, bottles of water, and a few small snacks.
Hope glanced at the tray nervously. "This feels like a lot to carry."
James tilted his head, smiling faintly. "Don't worry. If we survive the project planning, we can survive this."
Hope laughed, a clear, melodic sound that seemed to float over the café hum. "You make it sound heroic."
"Heroic is a stretch," James said, chuckling. "More like clumsy endurance. But I suppose it's impressive in its own way."
Hope grinned. "Clumsy endurance… I like that. You're full of surprises, aren't you?"
James shrugged casually, though the corner of his mouth twitched into a faint smile. "Depends on the observer. Some call it focus, some call it stubbornness. You?"
"I call it… refreshing," Hope said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She met his eyes briefly, noticing the calm steadiness in them. "Honestly, I didn't expect you to be this… easy to talk to."
James raised an eyebrow. "Easy to talk to? That's new. People usually keep their assumptions about me in line."
Hope smirked. "Well, assumptions aren't always accurate. You're… human, you know. Not just a calculator with perfect timing."
James laughed softly, a sound low and genuine. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Hope hesitated for a moment, then ventured, "And Diane… you two seem really close. I thought—well, I assumed…"
James's expression flickered with amusement. "Close, yes. Dating? No. Not even close. She's my best friend, and that's it. I promise you, Hope, no complications there."
Hope blinked, surprised, then laughed quietly. "I guess I jumped to conclusions."
James smirked faintly. "It happens. Diane gives off that aura—sharp, smart, persuasive. People read more into it than there is."
"I can see that," Hope said, laughing again. "I was just overthinking."