"Remember to set up once we get there." he said, not even looking at me. "And distribute this." a plastic bag with assorted canned and bottled drinks was handed to me. Chen stood very far away from me, so he had to stretch his hand out all the way towards me. I took it, and as soon as he was relieved from the weight, he turned his back to me, walking away. i did not know where, but I assume it was to accomplish more small tasks that, I believe, make him very happy when he replays the day's events on his bed at night. 

I looked into the bag. Chen never failed to remember I only drink canned coffee. He is meticulous and careful when it comes to small tasks like these.

The condensation from the drinks had made my hands wet, so I rubbed them on my thigh to dry them. I didn't look but I imagined some funny shapes would appear on my jeans. 

Sitting down after getting lunch, I sat in an empty seat that I'd spotted next to a friend who was midway a conversation with someone I didn't know very well. 

'this is an opportunity....' I thought... placing the bag of drinks down on the middle of the table.

'i can make another friend... through a mutual... it's always easier that way.' 

I placed my food on the table, a plate of noodles and they didn't acknowledge me, engrossed in conversation.

I took out Jon's sodapop from the bag and handed it to him. He is one of the people I was to distribute the drinks to. I hadn't interrupted their conversation at all, which I had half been expecting to, with the introduction of a new item.. and also I was joining their table. Jon smiled a thankyou and carried on with their conversation for a few more minutes. As they talked, I got the impression that Jon did not know the person very well either. 

The season had passed for hellos so the person I didn't know very well awkwardly picked at their food. Jon asked me a question that I answered very quickly, and then immediately forgot what it was. "oh yeah, it's grape flavour this time.. maybe your usual flavour was out of stock.." 

There being very little to say or add, I tried to make conversation with an intriguing question that I had thought of suddenly.

"Question: do you think, if God designs the shapes in the clouds, and He's all sovereign and omnipresent, does he also design the shapes that you leave on your pants when you wipe your hands dry on them?" 

Somehow, that didn't strike up much of a conversation. I quickly ate my lunch, thinking very hard. 

'i think,' I thought. 

'although that person has made me out to be something strange,' I walked, carrying the few drinks left to distribute. 

'i am fortunate to have escaped getting acquainted with someone who does not have much imagination.'