Pride and... Girls (c)

[Specs]

Flipping through the pages of Pride and Prejudice, Specs breathed a sigh. He hadn't seen Tag since the incident over at Irving Hall and, frankly, he was too confused on what to say or do. Hence, he was hiding in the parlor, trying his best to read the book that she suggested for him. Normally, he would've made his way to the library but was too scared to even run into her.

He hoped that no one would notice him in the parlor as he began reading the first few lines of Pride and Prejudice.

[Tag Along]

((It's a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. Ha!))

Tag was humming to herself, hugging her novel to her chest. She had decided to save The Jungle Book for later and was now about a quarter way through the novel about the Duke's daughter and her love triangle.

She walked into the parlor, which had now become her favorite reading spot. Lizzie, her new cat, was at her heels as had become the fashion these days. She didn't even notice there was someone else in there.

[Specs]

((Best way to start! ))

Specs heard the door creak, followed by some footsteps. He glanced up to see who it was and upon seeing that it was Tag, he quickly hid behind his book again, hoping that she wouldn't notice that he was there. He began furiously reading, determined to keep his eyes on the page.

[Tag Along]

It was only when Tag sat down on the couch before seeing another person in there.

"Oh!" She let out a squeak before recognizing the person behind the book. "...Specs?"

[Specs]

"Uh, heeey," said Specs, trying to sound as normal as he could. Trying being the operative word. "I-I'm just readin'." His eyes were still glued to the page as he held up the book for her to see.

[Tag Along]

"Me too." She covered up the title of her book, slightly embarrassed that she was reading a book about a love triangle in front of Specs.

"How -- how have you been? All right, I hope..."

[Specs]

"Er, the usual... sellin' papes, library, talkin'," he answered, finally looking up at her. There was no way of avoiding her, especially since there was only the two of them in the room. He missed spending time with her but he wasn't about to say that out loud.

"And you?"

[Tag Along]

"I've been better..." She answered truthfully, shrugging and letting out a small chuckle.

[Specs]

Specs frowned, recalling how upset she was the last time he saw her. "How's, uh... Leo?"

[Tag Along]

"He's fine." She wondered if she should tell him about the animal shelter. Of course, she hadn't resolved anything except that fact she liked Leo and didn't want to lose him as a friend. That could also be said of Specs.

[Specs]

"How are you? I mean.. really?" he asked with more sincerity. He had hoped she would understand and he wanted nothing more for her than to be happy.

[Tag Along]

"I... Well, I feel awful." Tag answered, her forehead wrinkled with worry.

"I can't even begin to tell you how sorry... I just don't know... I never even thought..."

[Specs]

Specs shrugged it off, smiling. "You're just too pretty, that's all. Are we still friends?" He hoped they were. If anything, the least he wanted was to still be friends. If something more came along the way, then so be it.

[Tag Along]

"Of course." Tag replied almost immediately. "I like you, Specs. I like you quite a lot, and I would absolutely hate it if we never saw or spoke to each other again."

[Specs]

Specs grinned widely, amazed at her honesty and glad that she could say it to him. "I like you too. Normally, girls don't think reading's too much fun... or me, for that matter. But it's fun when I'm with you... and I'm fine if we're friends." Or more, he thought.