The café smelled like burnt caramel and wet pavement. The hum of the espresso machine was comforting, almost meditative. I sat at the corner table, coffee in hand, pretending to study my notes, though my mind was cataloging everything: the layout, the exits, the subtle patterns in people's behavior. Observation came naturally.
Ryan and Claire were already there, lounging like this was their personal living room. Ryan grinned at me the second I slid into the chair.
"Finally decided to join the land of the living?" he asked, voice dripping with mockery.
"I was observing," I said, eyes on my cup.
"Observing," Claire repeated, smirking. "Translation: staring like a creep and ignoring us."
I allowed a faint, almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of my mouth. They'd been my friends long enough to notice it and pretend it was a smile.
Ryan leaned back, stretching his legs. "Alright, geniuses and casual weirdos. Let's play something. Truth or Dare."
Claire groaned. "You're joking, right? We're seventeen. This is ridiculous."
"Nope," Ryan said. "Perfect age for it. Come on, Pierce. Truth or dare?"
I didn't even hesitate. "Truth."
"Fucking finally," Ryan said, spinning his phone to randomize the order. "Alright… what's the weirdest thing you've ever done?"
I blinked. "Define weird."
"Human weird," Claire said, smirking. "Not like… memorizing every book in the library or analyzing math formulas like a robot. Just… normal school-kid weird."
I tilted my head. "I once cataloged every café in the city by the efficiency of its layout and how easy it would be to get out in under five minutes if needed."
Ryan coughed. "Jesus Christ. That's… impressively weird."
Claire laughed. "Yeah, the 'weird genius' strikes again. I stand corrected."
I didn't reply. Observation was enough.
"Your turn," I said. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare," Claire said immediately, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hit me with your best shot."
I scanned the café, considering possibilities. "I dare you to go to the counter and order something completely made up. Act like it's totally normal."
Claire's grin widened. "You little shit. Watch me." She marched up. "Hi! I'd like a… triple salted caramel frappe… with a sprinkle of ghost pepper and a hint of moonlight."
The barista blinked, clearly questioning their sanity. Claire nodded solemnly. "Yes. Extra whipped cream."
She returned triumphant. Ryan laughed so hard he nearly fell off his chair.
"Perfect," I said calmly. Behavior cataloged. Reactions noted.
Ryan leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Alright, Pierce. Truth or dare?"
"Truth," I said.
"Fuck," Ryan groaned. "Fine. Who do you like?"
I blinked, deciding it was easier to answer than lie. "Someone from school," I said flatly.
Ryan's eyes lit up. "Ooooh, that narrows it down. Hmm… the girl from math class? The one who always corrects the teacher?"
"No," I said evenly.
Claire leaned in, smirking. "Not that obvious one? Hmm… someone popular, maybe? The girl everyone talks about?"
"Closer," I said, voice calm, giving nothing else away.
Ryan leaned back, grinning. "Alright… the social butterfly type? Always laughing, always surrounded by people?"
I nodded once, faintly. Yes.
Claire blinked, pretending to think hard. "Hmm… really? Could it be… Aria Lorne?"
Ryan leaned forward eagerly. "Wait, I think she nailed it. That's her, isn't it?"
I allowed a small, subtle nod. Yes.
"Ohhh! You little stoic bastard… Aria Lorne. Got it. Bingo. I am living for this," Claire said, finally letting her playful grin break free.
I observed them, calm. Humans are so dramatic when they think they've solved a puzzle. Amusing… predictable.
Ryan nudged me. "Don't worry, Pierce. Your secret's safe with us… for now."
Claire waved a hand theatrically. "Yeah, yeah. But you can't hide forever, stoic boy."
Ryan leaned toward me again. "Okay, naughty round. Pierce, Claire, you're up."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "Go on, hit me. Naughty enough for your teenage brain?"
Ryan rubbed his hands together, leaning in conspiratorially. "Oh, hell yes. I dare you… to text your crush something ridiculously flirty. Like… 'Thinking of you… want to meet after school?'"
Claire groaned, pulling out her phone. "You little shit. Fine. Ten minutes. Watch me squirm."
Ryan chuckled. "I'm taking notes. This is art."
I sipped my coffee, calm. Predictable stress responses: accelerated typing, subtle glances at the screen, anxious laughter. Interesting.
Claire typed, paused, then hit send. "There. Done."
Ryan cackled. "Priceless. You're going to have nightmares about me laughing at this for weeks."
I noted the small curl of her lips, the tension in her shoulders. Fascinating.
We kept playing. Ryan dared Claire to flirt outrageously with a random stranger in the café, which she did with dramatic over-the-top gestures, and I observed the subtle reactions of the people around us, cataloging discomfort, amusement, and confusion.
Claire dared Ryan to prank-call his mom in the weirdest, most flirtatious voice he could manage, which made me suppress a faint twitch of amusement.
Finally, it was Claire's turn again. Ryan smirked. "Truth or dare, Claire? Naughty edition?"
"Dare," she said immediately. "Hit me."
Ryan leaned in conspiratorially. "I dare you… to slide a note into Aria's locker. Something flirty. Maybe even slightly dirty."
Claire's eyes sparkled. "Fuck. Fine. Watch me."
She scribbled something, smirked, and stuffed the note into her bag. "There. I am officially a rebel."
I studied her actions. Humans think flirting is subtle. It's never subtle. Every movement, glance, pause — readable if you care to observe.
Outside, Aria Lorne strolled past the window, laughing with a group of friends. Bright, magnetic, engaging — social butterfly. Effortless. And apparently my crush.
I had no idea what kind of person she really was beyond the cheerful, friendly image. And that was fine.
Ryan nudged me. "Daydreaming again?"
"Something like that," I said.
Claire smirked. "You're impossible."
Maybe. But impossibility keeps me alive.
The fan hummed overhead. The city waited outside. And I sat, calm, detached, perfectly still. Waiting. Observing.
Because for me, life — and love — was always a game.