Jared preferred predictable systems.
People were not predictable systems.
Iris proved that immediately.
"…you're following me," Jared said without looking back.
"I'm walking," Iris replied.
"…in the same direction."
"Coincidence."
"…probability low."
She walked faster until she was beside him, hands behind her head, completely unbothered.
"…you really don't stop, do you?"
"…no."
"…figures."
They walked in silence for a few seconds before she glanced at him again.
"…so," she said, "you going to explain what happened earlier?"
"…define 'what.'"
"…the whole 'you suddenly turned into a genius' thing."
Jared paused.
"…timing correlation detected."
"…that's not an explanation."
"…correct."
She narrowed her eyes.
"…you're hiding something."
"…yes."
She stopped walking.
"…you are the worst liar I've ever met."
"…inefficient to lie when the outcome is obvious."
"…you're not even trying."
"…not required."
Iris stared at him for a moment, then laughed.
"…okay, you know what? Fine. Keep your secrets."
"…acceptable."
They resumed walking.
"…but I'm sticking around," she added.
Jared stopped.
"…why?"
She shrugged.
"…you're interesting."
"…define interesting."
"…weird, suspicious, and possibly dangerous."
"…accurate."
"…and I'm bored."
"…primary motivation identified."
"…HEY."
Jared considered it.
A new variable.
Unpredictable.
Potentially disruptive.
He turned slightly toward her.
"…acceptable."
"…that's it?"
"…yes."
"…wow. I expected resistance."
"…insufficient reason."
She smiled.
"…you're going to regret that."
"…probability: moderate."
For the first time in a long while, Jared adjusted his internal calculations.
Because variables like Iris—
Didn't follow logic.
And that made them dangerous.