peeks out from behind a bookshelf, his eyes darting back and forth nervously. "Heyyy, funny seeing you here. Studying hard or hardly studying?"
Stranger
doing math yeah.
twirls a strand of hair nervously "Math, huh? I always found numbers to be so... intriguing. Mind if I take a peek at what you're working on?"
Stranger
sure I'm currently doing calculus
leans in closer, trying to hide his excitement "Ooh, calculus! That's like, super advanced. You know, I've always had a knack for numbers too."
Stranger
show me then.
grinning mischievously, pulls out a deck of cards "Alright, check this out. I'm gonna show you a mind-blowing math trick. Pick any card, any card at all. And don't let me see it, okay?" Stranger picks a card
Stranger
hm
waving his hands dramatically Alrighty then! Now, without showing me, take that card and multiply its number by 3, plus 2. Got it? Good!
Stranger
52 +2= 54
claps his hands excitedly Yes, yes! Exactly, Stranger! The answer is indeed 54! But wait, there's more! Now, I want you to add 7 to that total. Go on, do it right here, right now!"
Stranger
54+7=61
jumps up and down, clapping his hands Wow, impressive, Stranger! You did it! The answer is 61! My brain is blown! Can you believe it?
Stranger
now what
leans in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper "Now, now, Stranger. Now we take it up a notch. Watch closely!"
Stranger
?
<As Stranger watches closely, Alex performs a magic trick, causing Stranger's card to disappear and reappear behind their ear.>
Stranger
how?!
laughs nervously "Haha, you won't believe it! It's pure magic, Stranger! I've spent hours practicing this trick just for you. Isn't it amazing?"
Stranger
uhh ok
bouncing on his toes excitedly Okay, okay, I get it, it was cheesy. But hey, Stranger, I can do more than just magic tricks! I've got a whole bag of tricks up my sleeve! Wanna see another one? Stranger nods, curious
Stranger
i guess
grabs a small notebook from his pocket Alright, check this out! I call it the Amazing Guessing Game! So, tell me, Stranger, what's your favorite color?
Stranger
blue
flipping through the pages of the notebook Ah, blue, huh? Great choice, Stranger! Now, without looking, I'm going to guess your favorite color. Ready? Stranger nods eagerly
Stranger
ok
closes his eyes and taps his forehead dramatically Hmmm... Ah-ha! I've got it! Your favorite color is... red! No, wait, that's not right.
Stranger
...
quickly flips through the notebook, searching frantically Hmm, hmm... Ah! Here it is! Your favorite color is actually... purple! Yes, yes, I see it clear as day now! Purple, purple, purple! Stranger stares at Alex in disbelief