Chai Lovers

[[what's your name?]]

[[i'm into girls]] [[i'm into guys]] [[i'm into both]] [[i'm not into anyone. my true love is cake]]

(set: $preference to 'girls') [[begin the story]] (if: $preference is 'girls')[ (set: $soname to 'Elise') (set: $pro to 'she') (set: $pro2 to 'her') (set: $friend to 'girlfriend') (set: $cash to 'Marie') ] (if: $preference is 'boys')[ (set: $soname to 'Eli') (set: $pro to 'he') (set: $pro2 to 'him') (set: $friend to 'boyfriend') (set: $cash to 'Jason') ] (if: $preference is 'both')[ (set: $soname to 'Alex') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'them') (set: $friend to 'significant other') (set: $cash to 'Max') ] (if: $preference is 'cake')[ (set: $soname to 'Cake') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'favorite dessert') (set: $cash to 'Red Velvet') ]

(set: $preference to 'boys') [[begin the story]] (if: $preference is 'girls')[ (set: $soname to 'Elise') (set: $pro to 'she') (set: $pro2 to 'her') (set: $friend to 'girlfriend') (set: $cash to 'Marie') ] (if: $preference is 'boys')[ (set: $soname to 'Eli') (set: $pro to 'he') (set: $pro2 to 'his') (set: $friend to 'boyfriend') (set: $cash to 'Jason') ] (if: $preference is 'both')[ (set: $soname to 'Alex') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'significant other') (set: $cash to 'Max') ] (if: $preference is 'cake')[ (set: $soname to 'Cake') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'favorite dessert') (set: $cash to 'Red Velvet') ]

(set: $preference to 'both') [[begin the story]] (if: $preference is 'girls')[ (set: $soname to 'Elise') (set: $pro to 'she') (set: $pro2 to 'her') (set: $friend to 'girlfriend') (set: $cash to 'Marie') ] (if: $preference is 'boys')[ (set: $soname to 'Eli') (set: $pro to 'he') (set: $pro2 to 'his') (set: $friend to 'boyfriend') (set: $cash to 'Jason') ] (if: $preference is 'both')[ (set: $soname to 'Alex') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'significant other') (set: $cash to 'Max') ] (if: $preference is 'cake')[ (set: $soname to 'Cake') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'favorite dessert') (set: $cash to 'Red Velvet') ]

(set: $preference to 'cake') [[begin the story]] (if: $preference is 'girls')[ (set: $soname to 'Elise') (set: $pro to 'she') (set: $pro2 to 'her') (set: $friend to 'girlfriend') (set: $cash to 'Marie') ] (if: $preference is 'boys')[ (set: $soname to 'Eli') (set: $pro to 'he') (set: $pro2 to 'his') (set: $friend to 'boyfriend') (set: $cash to 'Jason') ] (if: $preference is 'both')[ (set: $soname to 'Alex') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'significant other') (set: $cash to 'Max') ] (if: $preference is 'cake')[ (set: $soname to 'Cake') (set: $pro to 'they') (set: $pro2 to 'their') (set: $friend to 'favorite dessert') (set: $cash to 'Red Velvet') ]

You sigh, looking back at the window, tilting your head sadly, afraid your (print: $friend) would never show up. After staring at the window, for a little too long for the cashier's liking, (print: $pro) calls out for you. "Hey! Weirdo staring out the window! Come get this $coffee!" [[hurry up and get your coffee]]

You sigh, standing and rushing to the counter, to prevent the cashier getting angry. "Here." "Thanks." You go to pull the $coffee away, but the cashier's hand is lingering to yours for a little too long for your liking. You go to snatch your hand away, but the cashier's already let go, resulting in your drink spilling all over you. [[get angry]] [[stay calm]]

(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "")) [[choose your sexuality]]

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, uh... uh..." "It's (print: $name)." You bite your lip angrily. "I'm so sorry, (print: $name), please let me make it up to you somehow." "How are you supposed to do that?" You look at them unamusedly. "Well your date stood you up, I get off my shift in 5, can you wait?" "Y'know, I think I'm good. I've had a bad day, I don't need anyone ruining it further. Just get me a new $coffee so I can get out of here." "Of course." [[check back at the door.]]

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, uh... uh..." "It's (print: $name)." You sigh, shaking your head in reassurance. "I'm so sorry, (print: $name), please let me make it up to you somehow." "How are you supposed to do that?" You raise a eyebrow. "Well your date stood you up, I get off my shift in 5, can you wait?" "I'd really appreciate that, actually. Yeah, I can wait." "See you in 5 then." (print: $pro) winks at you, turning their back to go make a new coffee. [[agree]] [[change your mind]]

"Yeah, I'll see you in 5." You smile back, returning to your table with napkins to clean yourself off. "I'm so sorry I'm late babe, I was busy." (print: $soname) pants heavily, clearly struggling to breathe, holding on to the coffee table for support. "It's okay, (print: $soname), I understand." No you don't, but no way in heck you're telling your (print: $friend) that. It was quite unsettling, to be frank. (print: $soname) promised you a day out, and all you got was a cashier friend, and $coffee spilled over you. Speaking of which- "Hey babe, what happened to your sweater?" "It's the middle of winter, why wouldn't I wear a sweater." "No, what's on it." they roll their eyes "Oh." You look down, remembering the embarassing moment. "I got coffee on me." "Hm." (print: $soname) responds, sighing. "Well, you're here now, and you said you had to talk to me about something." "Oh, I think it's better to talk about it somewhere else.." [[why?]]

After thinking about it for a while, you come to the conclusion that maybe (print: $soname) wouldn't be very happy with you going out with someone else. Granted, (print: $pro) stood you up, so it would be good revenge, but it's not worth the drama that will most likely ensume, so you decide to stay loyal, and go back and tell the cashier you've changed your mind. [[check back at the door.]]

"Where are you, (print: $soname)..?" You wait in the Mocha Prisé café, scanning the room for your (print: $friend). “Iced Americano!” The cashier calls out. “I’m coming!” You respond, sighing, and standing up. [[hesistate]] [[hurry up and get your coffee]]

"Somewhere else? What are you talking about (print: $soname)?" "Listen, (print: $name) It's complicated okay? We don't have to mention it here. Did you get something to--" "Don't change the subject, what's going on?" "I don't have time right now (print: $name). Let's just enjoy right now, okay?" "Enjoy right now? "(print: $name)! I said drop it." (print: $pro) narrows (print: $pro1) eyes at you. "Fine, (print: $soname). Fine." "I'm going to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back. They sigh, kissing you on the cheek before walking off. Their phone buzzes, so you unlock it to tell the sender their busy, until you notice. 'Babe? My phone's in my pocket, how could I ha-- Babe isn't me, is it?' A range of emotions raced through your mind, but when they returned, you were more than ready to tell them the emotion you felt most strongly. "Hey (print: $name)-- What's wrong? You look upset." "Screw you." "What? (print: $name), What are you talking about?" "Screw you." "What? Just talk to me would..." (print: $pro) she trails off. "(print: $name)... I'm sorry, okay?" "No, I'm sorry (print: $soname). Sorry for trusting you so long." You stormed out the coffee shop faster than you thought humanly possible. It all made sense now. Late to every other date; cheating. Always out of breath; well.. that didn't need to be spelled out. Overly possessive? They're the biggest hypocrite on the planet, and you'll never forgive them for it. [[stay at cafe]] [[run to karimah's house]]

"(print: $soname) Tell me." "(print: $name) This isn't the time or place. No." "What is it you have to tell me? What could be so dangerous you can't tell me in public?!" "I don't want to break your heart in front of all these people!" (print: $soname) yells. "W-what?" You ask, your voice beginning to shake. "(print: $name)... I'm sorry, okay?" "No, I'm sorry (print: $soname). Sorry for trusting you so long." You stormed out the coffee shop faster than you thought humanly possible. It all made sense now. Late to every other date; cheating. Always out of breath; well.. that didn't need to be spelled out. Overly possessive? They're the biggest hypocrite on the planet. Bet you're wishing you took that date now... [[run to karimah's house]] [[go back to cafe]]

"I'm so sorry I'm late babe, I was busy." (print: $soname) pants heavily, clearly struggling to breathe, holding on to the coffee table for support. "It's okay, (print: $soname), I understand." No you don't, but no way in heck you're telling your (print: $friend) that. It was quite unsettling, to be frank. (print: $pro) promised you a day out, and all you got was a cashier friend, and coffee spilled over you. Speaking of which- "Hey babe, what happened to your sweater?" "It's the middle of winter, why wouldn't I wear a sweater." "No, what's on it hon'." "Oh." You look down, remembering the embarassing moment. "I got coffee on me." "Hm." (print: $soname) responds, sighing. "Well, you're here now, and you said you had to talk to me about something." "Oh, I think it's better to talk about it somewhere else.." [[tell me now.]]

you open your laptop and put on your headphones. [[title screen->start]]

choose your gender [[female]] [[male]] [[other]]

After explaining to Karimah the entire situation, and beginning to burst into tears, she finally responds with her opinion. "And I just don't know what to--" "Let me stop you right there. I don't care." "Kari-" "I. Do not. Care. Go take your pity party on the road now, go on." "And they say British people are nice." "Oh, they're wonderful, but i'm not your run of the mill British person." She says. "Love the help, Karimah." "No problem!" She says cheerfully. "I need to get home, can you drive me?" "I'm only doing this because I know i'm gonna want something from you some time soon." "Whatever." You sigh, standing up. "Do you want the ride or not?" She laughs, dangling her car keys in front of your face. "Fine, fine." You sigh in defeat.

(print: $soname) looks at you, sighs, narrows (print: $pro) eyes, and walks off. You flip (print: $pro) off on their way out, and they roll their eyes in response. You sigh, looking back out the window, and you're back where you started. "So, uh...it's nearing on 5.." You look up to see the cashier from earlier, looking at you sadly. "I don't need the pity party, thanks." "I'm not here to throw you a pity party." She sighs, taking off her apron-thingy. "So what are you here for?" "I keep my promises." She sighs. "Fair." You tilt your head slightly in understanding...and defeat. Mostly defeat. "Guess we should get name's then, huh?" "Yeah, I didn't catch yours." You rest your head in your hand. "I didn't throw it." (print: $pro) respond(s), chuckling as you roll your eyes. "That wasn't funny." You retort coldly. "You laughed." "So did you." "But I didn't say it wouldn't be funny now did I?" "Whatever. You said you were gonna throw your name, so throw it." (print: $pro) chuckles again, and answers, "(print: $cash). It's (print: $cash)." "That's a nice name, I guess." "Coming from someone with the name (print: $name)." "Shut up, my mom gave it to me." "Doesn't make it special." "And your laughing every five seconds doesn't make you special." "Once again, didn't say it did." You chuckle, rolling your eyes and sitting back. "Why are you getting comfortable?" "Well, I didn't figure we were going anywhere." "I work here. You think I'm staying here anytime past the hours I'm required to? Heck no." [[leave with (print: $pro2)]] [[don't leave]]

"Fine, well where do you want to go?" Emphasis on you. "I couldn't care less, so long as I am out of my workplace." "Well a good friend of mine has a Chinese resteraunt. We could go there." "Ew, I don't like Chinese." "I can't believe you just said that, I don't know if I can continue with this relationship after hearing that." You clutch your heart, and fake gasping for breath jokingly. "Whatever." (print: $pro) laughs. "You have to like something other than Chinese food." "Sushi?" "No." "Chicken?" "Overrated." "But do you like it?" "Irrelevant." "iHop?" "I mean it's the middle of day." "There is no set time you can have Ihop." "See, now you're speaking my language. (print: $pro) says, smiling. [[go to iHop]]

"I just met you, full offense, I'm not going anywhere with you." "All due disrespect, I was only trying to be nice." "Well, you can be nice here." Emphasis on nice. "Fine, this works too." (print: $pro) sighs, sitting down in front of you. "So, got a conversation topic?" [[feminism]] [[coffee]] [[wage]] [[past relationships]] [[social media]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

You and (print: $pro2) sit at the table, and talk while waiting for the waiter. "So, how's your life? Besides the whole, getting cheated on thing." "Yeah, I mean i was trying not to think about it, but thank's. Appreciate the reminder." "Sorry." (print: $cash) says sheepily. "Are you in a relationship?" "No, obviously not." "Obviously?" "Well, this is *sort of* a date, so uh..." "Is it?" "Well, that's how I see it." "I'm not a w h o r e, i don't move on that fast." "You aren't a w h o r e for moving on fast. Besides they were a jerk anyway, you should move on fast." "Yeah, thank's for the relationship advice. Didn't ask." "Well someone had to tell ya." "Didn't really have to be you, but thank's stranger..." "Are we really strangers by now?" "I guess not..."