The girl who hadn't come for the interview — Sailey — immediately caught my attention. Even from a distance, her cheerful energy was impossible to miss.
She had light brown hair that bounced lightly with every step, framing a face that seemed almost made to smile. Her bright hazel eyes sparkled as if she was quietly amused by the world around her, and a few freckles dotted the bridge of her nose, adding a playful charm to her expressive features.
Her blue dress, slightly different from her friend's, had delicate lace trim at the sleeves and a small ribbon tied neatly at the waist. It moved gently as she walked, giving her an effortless, lively presence. She seemed like someone who could cheer up a whole room just by entering it — and, unsurprisingly, she had come here to do just that.
Even now, standing beside her friend, her energy contrasted perfectly with the nervousness of the girl she had come to support.
Sailey smiled brightly and asked, "Can we sit?"
Before I could even answer, she added with a laugh, "Of course we are welcome, isn't it?"
I couldn't say anything. I just glanced at her and gave a small nod.
And just like that, it felt as if a weight I hadn't realized I was carrying had lifted. Her presence — so cheerful, so effortless — made the atmosphere around me feel lighter.
The blond-haired girl spoke softly, almost apologetically.
"Don't be offended by her words… she's always like this. Can we sit here? If you're uncomfortable, we can choose another table."
Sailey tilted her head slightly, giving her friend a quick glance.
"Hey," she said with a small laugh, shaking her head as she moved away from her friend. Her playful energy filled the space, and even before she reached the table, it was clear that sitting here wouldn't be awkward at all.
"No, there is no problem sitting here," I said.
"I told you, haven't I?" Sailey said, turning to her friend with a grin.
What has she told her? Am I some pervert? I thought to myself, quickly reminding myself not to say it out loud. Her energy was disarming, and despite my internal panic, I found myself smiling.
"Well, hello. Since we don't know each other, let's start with introductions. How is that?" the blond-haired girl said with a friendly smile.
Before anyone could respond, a waiter approached and asked for their order. They chose coffee and a few cookies. After noting it down, he left, leaving the table buzzing with anticipation and a soft aroma of freshly brewed coffee around us.
The simple act of ordering — coffee, cookies, small talk — somehow made the atmosphere feel even more relaxed.
Sailey leaned forward slightly, her elbows on the table, and her eyes sparkling. "I'm Sailey," she said cheerfully. "And you are…?"
I cleared my throat, feeling a little flustered. "I'm James," I replied.
Lados smiled warmly. "I'm Lados Alfanso. I came only to support Sailey… so don't mind me too much."
Sailey waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense! Lados is the best cheerleader. She keeps me from panicking too much."
I nodded, feeling myself relax more. There was something about their dynamic — playful, supportive, yet natural — that made it easy to join in. The way Sailey talked, the way Lados responded, it all felt effortless. For a moment, I forgot about the interview, the stress, even the hour I had spent lost in my own thoughts.
"So, James," Sailey continued, leaning back slightly in her chair, "how did your interview go?" There was no judgment in her voice, only genuine curiosity.
I hesitated, then shrugged. "It was okay. Not sure if it went perfectly, but… I guess that's normal, right?"
Lados giggled softly. "Everyone feels that way. Even if it goes well, you'll find something to overthink."
Sailey nodded in agreement. "Exactly. But hey, that's what coffee is for, right?" She gestured at her cup, still steaming. "To calm the nerves and make the world seem a little lighter."
I smiled, realizing she had a point. There was something inherently comforting about this small, mundane moment — sharing a table, ordering coffee and cookies, engaging in light chatter. It reminded me of how small interactions can make a day feel brighter.
"Do you like cookies?" Lados asked softly, reaching for the plate in front of her.
"I do," I replied. "Especially chocolate chip ones. They make mornings… or afternoons… better."
Sailey chuckled. "Afternoons indeed. Coffee shop rules: always have cookies with coffee, or else you're doing it wrong."
I laughed quietly, shaking my head. There was a rhythm to their banter that made it easy to follow along, easy to participate in without thinking too hard. It was rare to meet people who could make ordinary conversation feel so engaging.
Sailey leaned back in her chair again, smiling warmly. "See? Coffee and cookies fix everything. Well, almost everything."
I raised my own cup in a small toast. "Almost everything," I agreed.
And in that simple, fleeting moment, I realized something important: some people have the ability to make the world feel lighter just by existing, by caring enough to cheer someone else on. Sitting there with Sailey and Lados, the small café felt like the center of a universe where stress, expectations, and mundane worries faded into the background.
It was one of those rare afternoons where everything — the aroma of coffee, the warmth of laughter, the gentle banter — aligned perfectly. And I couldn't help but feel grateful for it.
Sailey leaned forward slightly, her expression softening. "Is there something you want to talk about?" she asked, as if sensing the weight I'd carried since the complex building.
I gave a small, sarcastic shrug and smiled faintly. "Seeing your cheerful face, who in the world remembers their sad story?" I said, my tone teasingly comedic.
She frowned, moving her face slightly away from mine, clearly agitated but still playful. "If you don't want to tell, then don't. Do you have to tease me?"
Her slight agitation only made the moment lighter. There was a rhythm to our exchange — the teasing, the gentle push and pull — that made the awkwardness of meeting for the first time almost enjoyable.
I chuckled quietly, shaking my head. "Alright, alright. I'll behave… for now."
Sailey gave me a mock glare, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "You better. I don't let people off that easily."