The Initial Conditions (The Abstract)
We have reached t + 14 days since the initial jump-start. In the study of dynamics, this is the point where a temporary disturbance becomes a recurring wave. Alexandra Fainter has begun to exhibit signs of "variable overlap." Her desk, once a sanctuary of Euclidean order, now possesses a new coordinate: a space reserved for the architectural entropy of William Bennett.
The air smells of over-steeped coffee and old textbooks. Alex is grading—a function she usually performs with the mechanical efficiency of an algorithm.
The Analytical Body
Theorem 1: On the Conservation of Markers
I observe a curious development on her desk: amidst the rigorous calculus proofs, Alex has allowed a series of doodles to manifest. These are not random; they are geometric personifications—pentagons with frowns and triangles holding hands. It is a visual representation of her rigid world beginning to soften.
Theorem 2: The Security Blanket Hypothesis
When William attempts a "stealth mission" to liberate a marker, he is actually attempting to steal a piece of her certainty. Her refusal is not a rejection, but a negotiation. She offers him dinner instead—a trade of intellectual property for social calories.
Theorem 3: On Proximity and Persuasion
At 15:45 hours, the distance between the two subjects (d) approaches zero. As William draws her closer, I record a significant shift. Alex, who usually relies on the x-axis of logic to keep her upright, leans against his chest—a physical tangent line. She describes him as a "mathematical seducer." In this moment, the rhythmic beat of his heart acts as a Metronome of Stability, overriding her usual anxious fidgets.
Theorem 4: Calculating the Probability of Success
Alex performs a mental summation of the current state. The variables are no longer speculative; they are measurable:
| Variable | Magnitude | Impact on System |
|---|---|---|
| Spontaneous Kisses | High | Increased Oxytocin Levels |
| Marker Diplomacy | Improving | High Trust Factor |
| Brain Quieting | Shockingly Effective | Reduction in Cognitive Load |
She concludes with 100% certainty, provided a specific constraint is met: the non-negotiability of garlic bread. In the logic of romance, garlic bread is the Constant (Cgb) that must not be divided.
The High-Fidelity Visual Artifact
The Evidence (The Climax)
Having observed this system for precisely 336 hours, the conclusion is undeniable. The "Alex Equation" has shifted. What was once a solitary line moving through space is now part of a Coupled Oscillator System.
The proof is found in the quiet data points: the way a red pen feels lighter in her hand when he is in the room, and the way the "patterns in the noise" of a loud lounge have become a source of comfort rather than irritation. Their connection has moved beyond the "initial jump-start" and into a steady-state rhythm.
As they walk to the parking lot in the cool autumn air, the intertwining of their fingers is not a calculation—it is a result. Some theorems prove themselves not through grand declarations, but through the quiet repetition of shared glances and fiercely defended garlic bread.