Danny didn't mind staying inside and enjoying the coffee with me despite an afternoon rush. We were lucky to spot a group of students standing up from their table and quick enough to take it over from them. Danny smiled and acted as if he had won a small lottery. He compared it to the will of fate, which helped us spend time together. Apparently, we weren't doing it enough to his liking or, in this case, the universe. When I thought about it longer, I assumed that I wasn't as close to him as I was with Jasper, so I didn't feel the need to spend time with him alone, separate from the group.

Danny, on the other hand, looked cheerful and happy. He talked about all the little details, stories, and things that came to his mind as he spoke. It was chaotic and fast-paced. I didn't understand it at first, but after about half an hour of our meeting, I realized Danny wasn't too close to any of us. I think it was because he was the type of person who was rarely serious, so no one took him seriously.

He spoke over everyone. He fooled around when someone got too deep. Everyone thought he was a group clown, someone to joke with and about.

He didn't let me talk too much, but I didn't mind. I focused on the door, and I was okay with it. I still listened to Danny talking, and he seemed pleased.

As I sat there looking at him being like a child, I noticed that he was rather clever and had a lot of interesting things to say. He told me all the steps of training his dog, which has been a stubborn mule but turned him into a star that could win the championship. He told me about his love of Viking history, which was generally useless because he didn't care about other historical movements, only this particular one.

"Why do you never talk about any of this with others?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Danny looked at me, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"I mean your hobbies or anything other than making fun of everything." I clarified, hoping my words didn't go across as too harsh.

"It's not interesting. Do you think anyone wants to listen about my dog?"

"I just did."

"Because we are alone, and anyway, I can see that you don't really listen." He shook his head slowly. I took a sip of my coffee that was losing temperature. I liked my coffee hot, but I also hated rushing.

"I do, but I let you talk because I enjoyed listening to you," I assured my point by slightly smiling at him.

"So, why are you keep looking around? Anyone is joining us?" I chuckled at Danny's attempt to change the topic to hide his embarrassment. I figured that he didn't take well any serious compliments, which was somehow adorable. Usually, he was confident and seemed to be on the narcissistic side rather than shy and humble. I wouldn't think before that I could enjoy having a quality conversation with him.

"No. Just professional deviation," I responded.

"Makes sense, I guess. So... I think it's time to go. Football starts soon." He got up from his seat, making me a bit disappointed. "Jasper is at home, or is he joining us later?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "He should be there."

I got up from my seat, following Danny to the door. It was a sunny April day. The air was fresh and the wind was somehow chilly, which pushed some people to wear their coats. It created diversity in the crowd as you could spot people in t-shirts and some still wearing their coats or sweatshirts.

I decided on wearing a sweatshirt. I wasn't getting cold easily, but on some days like today, the cold wind did its job of freezing my bones.

With jealousy, I stared at Danny wearing his leather jacket which somehow looked unnaturally warm and cosy. I couldn't understand how climate could create such a rollercoaster in the weather. It was late into April, and still... it could bash your ass off like in the middle of January. Because we walked to the Cafe, we had to return to the university parking to get my car and from there drive all the way to my apartment.

Once we arrived, Danny rushed to turn on the TV to sit on the sofa, relieved that we weren't late. I shook my head as I didn't expect him to be this dramatic. I couldn't help the traffic on the way.

"Unbelievable," I said.

"You can't understand the spirit of healthy rivalry." Jasper joked. I watched him put all the snacks and beer on the table. Danny nodded in agreement, grabbing one can, and then opening it with a satisfied grunt.

"I do. But in this game, nothing happens during the first minutes."

"Oh, Sage. You don't even start on it." Jasper laughed. "Just sit and enjoy the game with us." He motioned to the armchair.

I was bored in the second half because the teams were out of sync. They had no idea what they were doing. I pulled out my phone, sending yet another text to this girl. She hadn't picked up any of my calls but hadn't blocked my number, so there was a chance I'd get in touch. 

I began browsing university forums. Apart from a few pieces of information about classes, exams, and random tips, nothing was interesting there. I was finishing my studies shortly, and I had passed all my exams, so I had no need to get involved in student life. But only the university connected me with Emery. I could probably find him out there somewhere. I googled his name with the name of our town but found nothing. Then I tried different combinations and still got nothing.

"Danny?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"Do you happen to know a guy named Emery?"

"No, I don't think so?" He thought for a second, looking at me. "I know a girl who literally knows everyone. I can ask."

"That would be great. Thanks." 

"Why?"

"Nothing, I have something of his, but I can't find him anymore."

Jasper raised an eyebrow at me but thankfully didn't make a comment.

"I will let you know." He said, and I could only hope that she knew him.