Making Some Observations

Brionna had never been to Big’s Diner by herself before. She was only ever here on a date or with her friends. Today, however, she was on a stake out.

As part of planning for Project Cupid, she wanted to examine each of her subjects in their natural habitat for maximum matchmaking effectiveness. First up was Harrison, who was currently at the counter, talking to his co-worker Lily Chang. Bri had her notepad at the ready, scribbling notes as fast as possible.

“So, how’s basketball going?” Lily asked Harrison.

“Pretty good. I mean, I’m not playing, but the team’s winning!”

“Aww, that’s a shame, you’re really good!”

“…Have you ever seen me play?”

“Well, no… I meant, like, I assume you’re really good.”

“Why? ‘Cos I’m black?”

“What?! No, no no no, I meant…” She trailed off as she saw Harrison’s shit-eating grin. “You’re a dick.”

“Eh, you love it.”

Immediately, Bri felt like she had figured Harrison out. L clearly likes H. H is dense to this. L + H have good chemistry. PLAN: Get H to ask L out.

The rest of their shift just kept reaffirming her notes. So, that was an easy one out of the way first.

Bri figured out very quickly that just observing the rest of them would not yield the same results as with Harrison. It was soooooo fucking boring. None of them had any interactions with any potential romantic partners. So, she decided to change things up, starting with Shaun.

“So, what are you looking for in a partner?” Bri directly interrogated Shaun as they both stood at his locker.

“…I don’t really know. There alive?”

“Well that’s helpful.”

“Honestly, I’m willing to take anything. As long as I get laid by the end of it.”

“Wow. I’m happy you have such admirable goals.” She retorted sarcastically, accompanied by an eye roll.

“You’re the one who offered to help me get laid.”

She couldn’t argue with that, but she wished he gave her more to work with.

Luckily, the universe practically threw an answer at her. At that moment, Lovelyn Cooke approached Shaun. Bri took a step back, reverting back to Observation Mode.

“Hiya Shaun!” Love greeted with immense optimism. “How’re you doin’?”

“Good.”

“Cool, cool. You excited for today’s lesson?”

“Yep.”

They fell into silence awkwardly as the gears in Bri’s head turned. Sure, Shaun needed a lot of help socially, but Love was the perfect candidate for matchmaking: she clearly liked him for some legitimately baffling reason, which would have been half of the battle. Bri smiled: against all odds, her plan was actually coming together.

“So, Danny, do you have anyone particular in mind?” Bri asked as she sat with Danny and Benji.

“Not really. I’d be alright with just about anyone.” Danny responded.

Bri’s sighed frustratedly. “God, why are you all so indecisive!”

“His problem isn’t getting with a specific girl. You need to teach him how to speak to them. You should have seen him the other day: worse than 9/11, I tell ya.” Benji chimed in.

“Can you stop with the 9/11 shit?” Danny retorted.

“So, is it a confidence issue?” Bri carried on, ignoring the last part.

“No, I have confidence-” Danny started.

“He just doesn’t have anything to back it up.” Benji finished for him.

“Oh, ok, so you need flirt training! I can work with that…”

“Why did you need to meet with me? I thought you already knew my plan?” George asked. Bri had asked him to come to Big’s (on a day when Harrison wasn’t working) to discuss the plan privately.

“I know the gist of it. We just need to iron out the details.”

“Ok. How?”

“Can you hold that thought for a second?” She said, pulling her Biology work from her bag. “You haven’t done the Bio homework yet, have you?”

“…Was this just an elaborate ploy to get me to do your homework? ‘Cause surely there was a better way.”

“Have you or not?”

“No.”

“Do you have it with you?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect. Now get it out.”

George complied, though hesitantly. “Why?”

“Just trust me, OK? Now, pretend to do it, or actually do it, just look like you’re doing it.”

So George actually did his homework. He would have to do it eventually, so he might as well do it now. He kept suspiciously glancing at Bri, who he noticed kept looking at the door.

“Are you waiting for someone else?” He asked.

“Kind of.”

“What do you mean ‘Kind of’?”

“I thought I told you to trust me.”

Suddenly, George heard the door open. He turned to see Anissa Kaur and Sadie Gomez walk in.

“Hey guys!” Bri welcomed them. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

In that moment, George vowed to never trust anyone again.

“We’re happy to be here!” Ani replied. “This was such a good idea!”

Bri stood up out of her seat to hug Ani, clearly catching her off guard as she froze up slightly and let out a cute ‘Oh!’, before awkwardly hugging back. In this time, Sadie sat down in the booth next to him, which he figured was to avoid another hug.

Bri pulled back, ushered Ani into the booth and oh my God Bri’s a fucking evil genius. Did she just hug Ani to **** her to sit opposite him, or was he just reading too much into this?

Bri followed Ani into the booth, shooting him a subtle wink. Yeah, he wasn’t reading too much into this.