Chess?
“Would this seat be taken?”
The voice caught me off guard and made me jump a little. I looked up to see a boy probably my age with messy, light brown hair and dark green eyes. My heartbeat felt louder and up against my chest while my hands went numb. It’s not him...it’s not him, I kept reminding myself. I hadn’t noticed before how full the food court was. I seemed to take up a lot of space, not leaving anyone any left. I barely ever ate here, I’d just come to get milk tea at a little bubble tea shop. I looked down.
“No, you can take it...”
He chuckled.
“Thanks!” he said with a cheerful smile.
He sat down at the seat across from me. I didn’t pay attention to what he was eating.
“Are you an author?” he asked, trying to make small talk.
“Journalist,” I replied, keeping my eyes on my computer.
“Really? What do you write about?”
“Mostly unsolved mysteries like murder encounters and killer sightings.”
He stayed silent for a few moments. I was getting anxious.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to creep you out...” I said, looking over at him and laughing nervously.
“You didn’t. I’m interested in things like that too, especially murder mystery stories. Ever read ‘A Fatal Grace’ by Louise Penny?” he asked, being curious.
This person is vast...like a dark evening sky with no stars...
“Of course.”
He smiled.
“Would you like to play a game of chess with me sometime?”
At that moment, his eyes seemed darker. He’s not just vast, he’s deep. Deeper than any story I’ve ever written or read...But the question is...Will I enjoy his story?
“Chess? Don’t tell me you think I’m a genius just from this conversation.”
He laughed.
“Quite the opposite, actually. I’d want to see you lose.”
I chuckled.
“I don’t do chess. I’m a gambler.”
“Hah...If that’s the case then why don’t we bet through chess?”
“You really are persistent, aren’t you?” I said, closing my computer.
He laughed.
“I wouldn’t say so.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t. Nobody would say that about themself.”
“And you say you aren’t a genius.”
I smiled.
“By the way, what’s your name?” I asked.
“James,” he said, reaching his hand out. “James Pierce.”
I laughed lightly.
“Noah Hite.”
I reached my own arm out to shake his hand. He shifted his hand to intertwine his fingers with mine. He pulled me closer to him, with our faces just inches away from each other.
“Are you flirting with me?” I said with a chuckle.
“No, just getting a look at you.”
I laughed.
“Alright then, Jae.”
“Jae? Really? We’re already getting started on nicknames?”
“Looks like it...”
I leaned forward, placing our faces even closer as a tease. I hadn't taken in how handsome he really was. He started pushing my hand and using the force to pull me back.
"You're not going to get away from me that easily," I said, pressing his hand against the table and holding his chin.
"Looks like you're the one flirting now."
"Don't blame me. You started it."
I kept my grip on his hand firm so he wouldn't have a chance of escaping. He's struggling. Looks like he noticed.
"Who do you think you are?" he whispered.
I pulled back.
"A genius, maybe?"
"Heh. Idiotic much?"
"You're one to talk."
"You tryna be slick or something?"
"No, I'm just trying to take after you."
"How slick."
I laughed. He leaned his cheek onto his hand.
"You have a cute laugh," he said, smiling and looking me up and down.
"I get that a lot."
"Don't get over-confident with me."
"Says you. Are you a Leo?" I asked, testing his curiosity and knowledge.
"Gemini. Are you a Sagittarius?"
"Libra. So you like astrology?"
"You asked for my sign first. Don't come after me."
"I'll take that as a yes," I laughed out.
"If you like astrology then you should know that Gemini and Libra are the perfect match."
"If you like astrology then you should know that both of our risings are compatible."
"I'm sorry but how do you know my rising sign?"
"How do you know that I know?"
He stayed silent for a few moments.
"Okay, good point," he said.
"It's Pisces, isn't it?"
"Then yours is Taurus."
"Bingo!"
"Are you still refusing my chess offer?" he asked.
"Who said I refused?"
"Are you homosexual?" he asked, abruptly.
"No...I'm pansexual."
"Hah...And I'm-"
"Omnisexual with a preference for men, I'm assuming."
"Are you a psychic or something?"
"No. Just a genius with a photographic memory."
He chuckled.
"Of course."
