Protag: “Hey, so uh… are you a st-st-stud–”
Protag seems to have bit his tongue. I can tell that I’m going to have to make a save of some sort here.
Gamer: “A stud?”
Protag: “Umm.. no. Sorry, a, uh–studio artist! I was just wondering because your headphones look really expensive.”
Gamer: “Oh, no. I mean, these headphones are really expensive, but I don’t use them to make music or anything. I just… um, really like music!
Protag: “Oh! Got it. I really love music too!”
I’m happy that they are discovering some common interests, but I see this going in a direction where Protag is going to forget that we have a group project that we’ve barely started on and that is due tonight.
PC: “Hi!”
Gamer: “Oh! Hi!”
PC: “I’m [PC].”
Gamer: “I’m [Gamer].”
Gamer: “What’s your name?”
Protag: “My name is your name!”
Gamer makes an expression that perfectly says “I’m puzzled.” I make the same expression.
Protag: “I mean, I’m [Protag].”
I’m not sure if I can handle Protag’s habit of behaving in nonsensical ways right now.
Protag suddenly pulls me a couple of feet away, snatching onto my backpack, and uttering to Gamer, “Ah! I’ve got to fix this on [PC]’s backpack!” I recognize this sequence of events–Protag is about to whisper something in my ear. I hope he’s not too nervous to speak quietly enough to actually whisper. The last time he did this, he spoke loud enough for anyone within 20 feet of us to hear.
Protag: “Hey, she seems too cool for me. Since I’m too afraid of asking her out myself, I’m going to tell her that you’re interested in her and that you want to hang out.”
Protag finishes fiddling with my backpack and turns towards Gamer. I don’t understand his logic, but it seems like I don’t have time to get a hold on my bearings. I follow behind Protag with a little bit of nervousness. This doesn’t sound like a good plan.
Before my eyes, Protag somehow organizes a three-person date that involves bird-watching and walking through a park. I hear Gamer say “Sure. Give me your phone; I’ll put my number in.” I watch Protag fumble through his pockets for his phone with a beet-red face. The most striking thing I hear in this follow up conversation is that I am an expert on birds.
I didn’t know I was an expert on birds. I eventually find myself entering the library with Protag on my right. Maybe we can finally get started on our group project.
—TO BE CONTINUED—
Next excerpt to come next week!
Pasfut Trailblazing 