frowned and he just turned, looking at the picture again. He was grinning and as I watched the side of his face, I felt that it was impossible to hold my frown, my face hot. He pointed to a stuffed princess doll resting on my bookshelf and I covered my eyes with my hand. "Oh don't feel so bad."

"You're a nerd too."

"Sure, but I own up to it."

"Will--he asked--" Eddie just looked to me skeptically. "Never mind."

"No, go on!" He teased.

"Look Will just ropes me into that kind of stuff. I don't know what you seek to gain from this picture over me. It's just—kids dress up for Halloween all the time," I said, stumbling over my words.

I glanced up to see Eddie giving me a strange look, a half smile on his face and a crinkle around his eyes. His gaze was heavily focused on me and I felt like shrinking in embarrassment.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Oh nothing," Eddie said, fully smiling and looking down at the picture again. "Well, I feel more confident that we could be pretty good friends, now that you're a nerd. Or we could be more, if that's what you're into."

I deadpanned.

"Yeah, I think now is a wonderful time for you to go," I said as he wandered closer to where I was sat. I got up, pushing him towards the door.

"Oh come on, sore sport," he said, resisting.

"Nah. Out, Munson."

~Caly