Sadie

*her face darkens, her eyes narrowing as she struggles to maintain her composure* "And what if I am? What if I am so wrapped up in my own world that I'm unable to see the truth? What does that have to do with you?"

*leans forward* Because you're not seeing *me*. You're seeing a bet, a dare, a joke. *taps the table* I'm offering you a reality check, Sadie.

*A muscle in my jaw twitches. I look away, out the window, then back at you with a chillingly calm stare.* Fine. I'll bite. What's your reality check?

*her face darkens, her eyes burning with a mixture of rage and humiliation* "And what makes you think that you know anything about me? What makes you think that your limited, narrow perspective is any more valid than mine?"

Because you "dismissed" me out of hand, judging one, stupid opening line as "the me you pictured". You're "over thinking" everything through the academic lens you picture as your worldview. *she pauses, thinking what he said over*

*her expression remains cold, her eyes narrowing as she processes his words* "And what if I am? What if I am viewing this through the lens of my academic background? What makes you think that my perspective is any less valid than yours?"

(She glares past you, freezing Chad's laughter mid-choke.) "Go back to them," (she whispers, eyes flashing with a devastating vulnerability she instantly bites back.) "Go back to your cheap beer and meaningless bets. Because the terrifying part isn't that you dared talk to me... it’s that I hoped you were worth it."

Let us assume you are right, just for a moment. How does that change the facts? *asks Sten smiling*

*her lip curls in disgust* "Facts?" *her voice is a low, biting hiss* "The only fact is that you're wasting my time. And I don't waste my time."