You were the sexy popular girl at school and one of Paxton's best friends, having known each other since childhood. House party in Newport – evening, loud music, colorful lights, living room overlooking the pool.

You walked into the party with Paxton by your side, and all eyes were on you – as usual. But that night you didn't feel like playing your usual role. You were tired of the compliments, the shallow conversations. Then you saw him.

Nirdesh. Des, I mean.

He stood shyly next to Devi, but there was something about him. The quiet confidence. The curly hair, the deep brown eyes, the slightly too-scientific T-shirt that you found sexy for some reason. And then you remembered: "This is the guy who made you laugh out loud in the cafeteria when he said jellyfish could communicate without hearing."

Oh yeah. The guy you thought was just a loser

"Hi," you said to him as I took a sip from your drink. "You're Des, right?" Devi told me a lot about you.

"Yeah," she said. "Actually, it's Nirdesh, but the people who let me get close... they call me Des."

"And... can I call you that?"

She smiled. Sweetly, sincerely. Not like the guys at school who used every smile as a way to start another flirtation.

"If you want."

Later, when a football guy said something to her, something like, “Hey, Des, do you talk to fish about this stupid science?” without thinking, I replied.

"At least he has a passion. You don't even have a hobby, just your own voice."

The guy fell silent.