*Ping*

I look down at my phone, a text notification. I was back home and relaxing on a Friday afternoon in my pajamas after I finished all my homework. Yes, I'm aware that it's the middle of the day but who cares, they're comfy. I pick up my phone and look at the message.

*Text messages*

"Hey, this is Cara!" - Cara

"Hey guys, this is Ostter. Also Cara, is this a group chat for our bio project?" - Ostter

"Hi" - Angie

"Yep! Soo when should we meet up to start on the project? Is everyone ok with today at your place Ostter?" - Cara

"I'm good with today as well, Angie?" - Ostter

"Yea, that's fine." - Angie

"Ok, here's my address, let's meet in 10 minutes" - Ostter

*End of text messages*

I groaned, I was so comfortable with my pj's and now I have to change. Can I just go like this? .... Yea, no. I laugh at the thought, only Lyn would have that kind of confidence. I get up with a sigh and change my clothes and grab my keys.

I make my way to his driveway. I got out and jumped as a fluffy looking cat looks at me from the doorway. With a laugh, I bend to pick her up.

"Her name is Dew. My norwegian forest cat. She just loves attention." Ostter appears, laughing. I smile, what a pretty name. Ostter invites me in as I gently set her down.

"Cara is already inside, we've got a couple ideas going for the topic of the project. We can pick out the one we like now that you're here. I also have tea and treats if you're up for it." I nod and follow him into the living room.

I walk into a cozy room and smile at the immediate welcoming feeling radiating from it. Caroline was sitting on the long couch that stood to the far right. There were also 2 chairs lying far left. There was a small table in front of the couch. On the center wall, there is a fireplace with a painting of different animals hanging above it. Bookshelves replace the walls next to the fireplace. I was taken aback, I didn't think anyone else loved to read as much as me and Lyn. I groaned, I could almost hear her voice teasing me with this. I shake my head and enter the room.

Ostter appears in the living room with a tray of bakery goods and tea. "You're welcome to sit on the chairs." He sets the tray down onto the table and brings over the 2 chairs for the two of us. I go and take a seat after setting my pack down. I nod a hi to Caroline and grab a blueberry scone. Mhmmm, these were good, though I'll always have a bias towards the cafe, even if they are vegan.

"Heya Angie, so we've gone over ideas for our project and came up with these 4 ideas; fruit flies & tea, cleaning oil off of birds, vitamin C and colds, and bee's recognizing patterns. I was thinking we could vote for it?" Caroline said as she went over what happened while I was coming over.

I nod. "We could spin a wheel to vote, I know how to do that online if everyone is up to it?"

They agreed and I pulled out my computer out of my pack and pulled up a website where I could spin a wheel. I typed in the choices and pressed the button to spin. I turned the computer towards them to show the results. After a whirlwind of colors spinned around it finally landed on red, bee's with patterns.

"Cool, I'll type that up in our notes, by the way tell me your email so that I can send you the docs containing the notes." I lean and give Ostter my email.

Hours soon pass by and it's 6 by the time we decide to finish up for the day. Caroline stands to put the plates and papers away and Ostter walks me to the door.

"We can meet up at my place again this weekend to finish up, we'll text details." I nod and then he hands me a bag full of goodies. "Here, these are what are left over from today's tea."

"Oh, thank you but I can't accept this." I reach to refuse but he places it in my palm anyway.

"It's quite alright, they need to be eaten anyways." When I start to complain, he cuts me off. "If you truly feel that bad, you can just treat me to tea on the weekend." He laughed and said goodbye.

I walk to my car and drive off. I think about our interaction, was he suggesting a date? No, that was absurd, he already had Caroline. I shake Lyn's cupid presence from me and drive home.

••••••••••••••••••••••
Hope that was to your liking! See you guys in the next chapter of CCC ❤️

~ Ziwa 🌺