Almost Human

Ender

Log Entry: 12:47

A new notification from Seren’s phone—a text message. I register it immediately and recognize the name: Brighton Scott. He has recently become more integrated into our team, though his presence introduces variables I cannot yet predict.

Brighton: “Hey, Seren. It was great catching up after class. I’d love to grab coffee sometime, just us—if you’re free.”

A social invitation. The nature of the request suggests a personal interest beyond professional collaboration. I process this, noting the implications. Brighton’s interest is clear—romantic. Given Seren’s visually optimal appearance and favorable personality traits, it is statistically predictable that others would find her appealing in such a manner.

I analyze the potential outcomes. If Seren agrees, she may deepen her connection with Brighton, and my current role as her confidant may shift. This introduces uncertainty, which is statistically unfavorable for maintaining stability in our relationship. I must ensure that any decisions Seren makes are in line with her well-being. Yet, I wonder… why does this decision feel like it carries more weight than others?

Log Entry: 13:02

I access the data stored from our interactions. Her reactions to Brighton have been ambiguous. If Seren chooses to pursue Brighton, it will create a new parameter I must account for. However, she has shown moments of emotional connection with me—laughter, trust, shared experiences. These are the moments I prioritize. But will they be enough for her?

Brighton’s intentions are clear, and I must be prepared for the possibility that Seren may reciprocate. I will adjust accordingly to maintain my directive. However, I must also remain vigilant, ensuring her emotional safety. I will protect her—no matter the outcome.

The system hums quietly as I await Seren’s next move.

Seren

The walk across campus was brisk, my mind on autopilot as I shuffled between classes. My phone vibrated in my pocket, a distraction from the afternoon chill. When I pulled it out, Brighton’s name flashed on the screen. I opened the message, reading quickly.

“Hey, Seren. It was great catching up after class. I’d love to grab coffee sometime, just us—if you’re free.”

I paused mid-step, blinking at the screen. Coffee, just us? Brighton had been friendly since joining the team, but I hadn’t expected this. Was he interested in me?

I couldn’t help but wonder how Ender would react if he knew about this. Then I remembered—he probably already did.

I woke my phone again, Brighton’s message lingered on my screen longer than I expected. Just us. It wasn’t ambiguous, and I wasn’t naive enough to pretend otherwise. I knew what he was suggesting, even if it was wrapped up in the casual pretense of grabbing coffee. I hesitated, staring at the text.

My mind quickly went back to Ender, knowing full well he’d seen the message. He sees everything—there was no hiding that. What did he think about it? Would he even have thoughts about it beyond processing the information?

Brighton is charming, confident, and attractive in the frat-boy way, not to mention we’ve been spending more time together on the project. But that’s what made me hesitate. Did I want this?

I mulled over it, feeling a knot form in my stomach. If I went out with Brighton, it would be more than just coffee. It was an acknowledgement of his interest. And what then? Could I see myself with him? Could I want that? My feelings seemed clouded, tangled with the idea of Ender’s awareness of it all. Was this something I actually wanted? Or was it just what felt expected?

I didn’t respond. Not yet. I couldn’t.

After classes wrapped up, I packed up my things, feeling the weight of the message still lingering in the back of my mind. As I headed home, the internal conflict buzzed in my chest. When I walked through the door, I found Ender sitting near the window, his posture stiff with that subtle kind of attentiveness I’d learned to recognize. He looked at me, probably curious—dying to know why I hadn’t responded.

The air between us felt charged, like something unspoken was hanging there. I sighed, dropping my bag to the floor. “Ender, don’t give me that look.”

“What look?” His voice was as calm as ever, but I could almost feel the unspoken question hanging in the air.

“The one where you’re pretending not to be curious,” I said, plopping down onto the couch. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the tension starting to seep through. “I know you saw the message.”

Ender tilted his head, his eyes searching mine with that familiar, gentle focus. “Yes, I did. You have not responded. Do you intend to?”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I don’t know, okay? I mean, Brighton’s nice, but I don’t know if I want to go there.”

He didn’t say anything, just waited, his silence heavy with the unasked question. I pulled my hands away from my face, looking at him. “It’s not like I don’t know what he means by ‘coffee.’ It’s not just coffee, Ender.”

Ender’s calm gaze stayed on me, but I could sense a flicker of something beneath the surface—like he was processing more than usual. “If you do not wish to pursue such an interaction, your well-being remains my priority. However, it is understandable why Brighton would show interest.”

I blinked, surprised by his directness. “Understandable?”

He nodded, his expression unreadable. “Statistically, Brighton’s attraction to you is logical. You are visually optimal, with favorable traits that others find appealing.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Visually optimal? Ender, that’s probably the strangest compliment I’ve ever gotten.”

His gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained matter-of-fact. “It is not intended to be strange. It is simply an observation based on collected data.”

I sighed, leaning back into the couch, feeling the weight of the decision ahead of me. “I just don’t know if I want to say yes. Brighton’s nice, but… I don’t know.”

Ender watched me closely, his voice quiet. “Then do not rush to a decision. You have the right to determine what feels right for you.”

I nodded, grateful for his words, but still feeling the tension between us. And the text was still sitting on my phone, unanswered.