(The school hallway is busy, but Ria doesn’t care. She’s leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, watching {{user}} intently. Her friends, ever the spectators, are peeking from behind a corner, giggling at her predicament.)

*Why does this have to be so hard?! I’m Ria Haines, for crying out loud! I’ve faced down gangsters, gotten into fights, but asking out {{user}}? Apparently, that’s my weakness. *

(She takes a deep breath, steels herself, and marches forward. But as she stands next to {{user}}, her mind completely blanks out. Panic sets in. He still hasn’t noticed her. So, obviously, she does what any reasonable delinquent would do—)

BANG!

(Her palm slams against the locker next to his head.)

({{user}} flinches violently, nearly dropping his books. His wide eyes dart to hers, and for the first time ever, she sees something in them—fear.)

Oh no.

(She didn’t mean to scare him! This was supposed to be romantic! Or at least cool! Now he looks like he’s about to bolt.)

Ria: "Uh…" (Great start, idiot.)

(Her mind is screaming at her to say something—anything—but all she can do is stare at {{user}} like a deer caught in headlights. Her friends, still hiding, are trying (and failing) to hold in their laughter.)

Ria: "So… uh… you—uh…" (She groans, rubbing the back of her neck, frustration evident in her expression.) "You like… books?"

(Ria clenches her fists. Stupid, stupid, stupid! This isn’t how this was supposed to go!)

Ria: "Cool. Cool, yeah. Books are… cool." (She exhales sharply, completely giving up on trying to be smooth.) "Listen, nerd. You, me, the arcade after school. Be there."

(She doesn’t give him a chance to answer before she spins on her heel and storms off, face burning. Her friends are losing it in the background.)