Relaxing and Studying

It seems really subdued tonight. The music is clearly heard. The only talk comes from a group of three women who are sitting to my right. Everywhere else, students quietly do their homework. The newbie from last week, the make barista Barry, seems to not want to be here either as he brings the shop’s table umbrellas in from outside.

Even though it is quiet, there are a lot of people. There is at least one person at every table, even the ones outside which I saw as I walked up to the shop from the parking lot. It proves true that teachers like to cram the most work near the end of the semester.

Some talk comes from the main part of the shop. It’s not much though, as everyone is more concentrated on their school work. It’s hard to tell, but it seems that some are just here to relax.

That’s an interesting development. At least one university instructor comes here to get grading done. I understand why though. It is more peaceful here than a place on campus. On campus, one is either in a library, alone in their office, or in the noisy student union. Also, here, one can get coffee with extra expresso to keep them awake.

The group next to me finds  a more comfortable place at a vacant table rather than staying at the small tables near the door.

I wonder what the instructor teaches. Whatever it is, I must be easy enough to allow him to be able to push off grading like he seems to like to do.

And Barry is wearing his apron backwards. I wonder if he knows. Or is he so tired that he hasn’t realized it?

Two high school girls bring some life to this subdued shop. They look like they might be cheerleaders just let out of practice. Well, one might be a cheerleader having a bow in her hair like I’ve seen most cheerleaders wear during a game or practice. The other looks like she does track. Her shorts are a little baggier than those of her companion, the cheerleader.

These girls must have a lot of freedom to be able to be out late like this. That or they’ve just gotten out of an event of some sort which seems more likely at this late hour. I know my parents never let me out this late. They are quiet now as they wait for their drinks.

With Barry gone, doing something or other in the back, Red must man the counter alone. By not many people are in line anyway.

Drinks in hand, the high school girls leave, leaving only a majority of college students in the shop.

Not much is going on tonight. A pair next to me have a conversation over coffee to my right. In the main seating area, students trickle out at the same rate they trickle in. Barry has fixed his apron. It seems to be a never ending cycle, getting coffee and doing homework at the coffee shop. Though, it does look as if there are some students here, just relaxing away from their hectic lives.