Beauty and the Dork

God Amongst Men

"We don't have to do this right now, Go," he said quietly. I furrowed my brows. He shrugged. "I don't want you to feel like you have to rush anything."

"Eddie, you've given me two months. I want to do this," I insisted. His eyes widened and he looked like a kid on Christmas.

"No more sneaking around?" he asked. I nodded and kissed him – our first kiss in a public place that wasn't one of our deemed "safe spots". He was bright red and giddy, stumbling over his words.

"No more sneaking around," I assured. I turned back to the direction of the food court and noticed a group of girls outside of a store who often attended the parties I went to. They weren't necessarily part of the popular group who I called my friends, but they were always on the periphery.

They were confused and shocked as they watched Eddie and I, whispering to one another. I smiled brightly at them as we walked past them, leaning further into Eddie. Some of them returned awkward smiles, but most were just stunned.

We paused when we got to the food court, glancing around at all the groups. Eddie kissed my temple and I looked up at him.

"I'm going to get us some pretzels," he said. He nodded towards all of the tables. "Go find us a spot, princess."

I smiled and kissed him before he dropped me and skulked towards the pretzel stand. I felt my butterflies soar in my chest as I watched him, and I floated to an empty booth. I slid in and looked around again and tried to find Eddie.

"Margot Patterson."

I turned and frowned when I saw Andy from the basketball team saunter over to me, grinning a shit-eating grin. He sat across from me.

"Hi, Andy," I said flatly. He leaned forward.

"Chrissy said you were going to ask someone to Sadie Hawkins at the pep rally," he said casually. I tried not to roll my eyes. Chrissy was incapable of keeping her mouth shut.

"I was," I replied. He smiled wider.

"Who's the lucky guy? Chrissy said it might be one of the guys on the team – I was hoping I might be fortunate enough to get asked," he attempted to flirt. I couldn't help but make a face.

"No, it's not anyone on the team," I answered, looking around and trying to find Eddie.

"Really?" Andy asked, confused. I looked back at him.

"Really," I answered. He furrowed his brows.

"Who would you even ask? You're supposed to ask someone from our group," Andy insisted. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"Hey," a voice said. I turned, beaming. Eddie was holding a giant pretzel and fountain drink in his hands, watching us nervously. I could tell he was panicked. I scooted down the booth and held my hand out, encouraging him to sit next to me. He plopped down and I pulled him close to me, turning to a stunned Andy.

"I'm taking Eddie," I answered, setting my hand on Eddie's thigh and leaning into him. Eddie waved awkwardly with the pretzel in his hand.

"Hey, man – good to see you again," Eddie said. Andy's jaw dropped and he was glancing between the two of us.

"You're taking him?" Andy asked, incredulous. I could feel Eddie shrink next to me. New Margot took over and I squeezed Eddie's thigh.

"I sure am – maybe we can get a big group to go together," I replied, forcing a smile. "But, if you wouldn't mind, Eddie and I are on a date, so we'd like to be left alone."

---

I watched as Margot stared Andy down, playing an unspoken game of chicken with him. This was a version of New Margot I had not seen before – confident and sure of herself, but protective as well. I couldn't help but feel a wave of pride that the protectiveness was over me.