Evan didn't wait long.
That was intentional.
After class—
Most students left quickly.
Whispers lingered, but distance followed.
Jared moved toward the exit.
Iris beside him.
"…we're leaving fast," she said.
"…agreed."
"…good, because this is getting weird—"
"Stay."
The voice came from behind.
Calm.
Controlled.
Evan.
Iris froze.
"…nope."
"…expected," Jared said.
He stopped.
Turned.
Evan stood a few steps away.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression neutral.
"…we need to talk," Evan said.
"…define 'need,'" Jared replied.
"…mutual interest."
"…low probability."
"…then consider it efficiency."
Silence.
Iris stepped slightly behind Jared.
"…I don't like this."
"…noted."
Jared studied Evan carefully.
Posture: relaxed.
Breathing: steady.
Eyes: focused.
No visible threat.
High confidence.
"…acceptable," Jared said.
"…great," Iris muttered. "…I hate everything."
They moved to a quieter hallway.
Empty.
Isolated.
Deliberate.
Evan stopped first.
Turned.
"…you understand what's happening," he said.
Not a question.
Jared nodded slightly.
"…evaluation."
"…correct."
"…by the same group."
"…also correct."
Silence.
Iris blinked.
"…can someone please explain what you're both talking about?"
"…external observers," Jared said.
"…people monitoring cognitive anomalies," Evan added.
"…I regret asking."
Evan stepped closer.
Not aggressive.
Not friendly.
Measured.
"…you're ahead," he said.
Jared didn't respond.
"…for now," Evan added.
A pause.
"…define 'ahead,'" Jared said.
"…reaction speed, adaptation, awareness."
Silence.
Jared processed it.
Accurate assessment.
"…temporary," Jared replied.
"…maybe."
Evan tilted his head slightly.
"…do you know the rules?"
"…partial."
"…then I'll clarify."
Iris raised her hand.
"…can I opt out of this conversation?"
"…no," both said at the same time.
"…great."
Evan continued.
"…they observe first."
"…then they test."
"…then they select."
Silence.
"…select for what?" Iris asked.
Evan didn't look at her.
"…advancement."
Jared's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…and the ones not selected?" he asked.
A pause.
Evan answered simply.
"…irrelevant."
Silence dropped heavily.
Iris frowned.
"…I really don't like that word."
"…you shouldn't," Jared said quietly.
Evan stepped back slightly.
"…so here's the situation," he said.
"…we're both candidates."
"…and?"
"…and only one of us will be prioritized."
Silence.
Jared's thoughts accelerated.
Competition confirmed.
Selection process active.
"…define 'prioritized,'" he said.
Evan smiled faintly.
"…you'll find out."
A pause.
Then—
"…I'm not your enemy," Evan added.
Iris immediately reacted.
"…that sounds like something an enemy would say."
"…noted," Evan said.
Then looked back at Jared.
"…but I'm not your ally either."
Silence.
Jared nodded slightly.
"…expected."
Evan turned.
Started walking away.
Then stopped—
Without turning back.
"…don't fall behind," he said.
Then he left.
Silence remained.
Iris exhaled slowly.
"…okay."
"…I officially hate him."
"…reasonable."
"…what does all that mean?"
Jared didn't answer immediately.
Because now—
The system was clearer.
Observation.
Testing.
Selection.
And in that system—
There were winners.
And there were—
Variables removed.
Jared looked down the empty hallway.
Eyes steady.
Focused.
"…it means," he said quietly,
"…we don't get to stay normal anymore."