Just A Bunch Of Misfits (c)

[Tag Along]

"But it does," she began, in awe that her voice wasn't audibly shaky or squeaky. "You...you're the closest thing this school has to a God. All the girls are in love with you, all the guys want to be you. And me? I'm the nerdy one. I'm the leader of the nerds, even. It's...intimidating. You're intimidating."

[Specs]

"But you're smart... a-and you'll go places," said Ryan, finally looking up at her. "Farther than just staying here in his town. I've got nothing but... sheep, y'know, people that blindly follow what I do or say."

[Tag Along]

"But you can use that to your advantage. You could be a politician or something. You're smart, too, when you put your mind to something. You can do anything," she assured him, meeting his eyes for a hot second before looking back down at her menu.

[Specs]

"I don't know," he mumbled. High school was just something he had to get through. What he really wanted to do was go to college and study something that was important to him. Maybe even draw. "People care too much about what other people think."

[Tag Along]

"You can say that, 'cause you're not the one being judged all the time" Lillian muttered, blushing yet again.

[Specs]

Ryan frowned. "Did someone say something about you?"

[Tag Along]

"People say things all the time! Not just about me, but about all the 'nerdy' people." Lillian said this in a very 'well, duh' tone. Like he didn't know all the popular kids teased the nerds!

[Specs]

Ryan wasn't stupid. He knew the popular kids had a way of 'teasing' the other cliques but he never really cared enough for anyone too much to get involved with anything. "They're just jealous of you guys," said Ryan sincerely.

[Tag Along]

Before Lillian could refute that statement, the waitress came to take their orders. She ordered the baked spaghetti with a diet coke and handed her menu to the girl, who actually went to their school.

"Oh, hey, Ryan!" she said when she turned to take his order. Lillian blushed.

[Specs]

"Christine!" said Ryan in surprise, his eyes widening with a hint of fear. "I didn't know you work here! I'll, uh, get the same thing Lillian ordered."

[Tag Along]

Christine glanced over at Lillian, the expression on her face clearly saying 'Oh, that's her name.'

"Okay, coming right up," she said with a smile, taking his menu and heading back to the kitchen.

Lillian was glaring down at her napkin. She'd seen the look on his face when he realized it was a girl he knew. He had been afraid she would judge him for being here with her or that she would tell everyone. Lillian felt like leaving right now.

[Specs]

Well, that was unexpected. Ryan wanted a quiet night with Lillian... without any distractions or eyes watching them. He glanced over at her and frowned when he saw how uncomfortable she looked.

"A-are you alright?"

[Tag Along]

"You don't have to do this. You can just say 'thank you,' and that'll be enough," she said, glancing up at him. She wanted to be here with him, but not if she was just a charity case or something.

[Specs]

"What are you talking about?" asked Ryan in confusion. "I wanted to take you out to dinner... do what? You helped me a lot, Lillian, and I'm grateful for your help. What did I do wrong?"

[Tag Along]

Lillian took a deep breath and lowered her voice as she spoke to him. "I saw the way you looked at her. Like you were afraid she was going to run and tell all your friends that you're here with me."

She felt like crying, and she hated herself for that. Ryan was just a stupid boy; he wasn't worth crying over. She could see that now.