"Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do?"

"I like to read when I have time. I like lacrosse, although yesterday was kind of my first day out on the field. Um, I like animals, but I guess that's my job so it doesn't count."

"Oh, do you work in a..."

Bomb-sniffing dog training school? Service dog training school? What do normal people use animals for?

"zoo?"

"I work in the Beacon Hills Animal Clinic. We take care of people's pets, mostly. It's nice, especially after a bad day."

"Would you like to go through the boring gambit of getting-to-know-you questions, or should we pass on that and pretend we're long lost childhood friends and start making fun of everything around us?"

"Well, looks like mine is busy," he says, eye on the rearview mirror.

"What would be your ideal way to die?"

"Preferably doing something dramatic, heroic or romantic. And in a blinding blaze of fire. Very aesthetic. You?"

"I don't want to sully Scott and Allison's virgin ears."

She side-eyes this comment but keeps her retort to herself.

They arrive at the pizza place without much further conversation, then.

At least, in the front. The backseat seems to have picked up the conversation torch.

And then they can enjoy their pizza!

Regan doesn't really endorse Allison's definition of 'enjoy'. But she eats the gross pizza, crusts and all.

"So. Scott. Tell me about yourself."

He starts trying to answer while eating his pizza, and regrets this.

After a short pause, he tries again.

"I don't think there's that much to know. I'm a decent lacrosse player, although I couldn't really play because of my asthma. I work with animals after school, and I like my job. I like reading, I get decent grades, I like video games and comic books."

"Our Scott, always humble. If you're looking for an actual personality, get him talking about animal welfare or nurses' salaries."

"You tore up the field yesterday. Caught it on camera and everything. 'Decent' doesn't really cut that."

"Yeah, you looked amazing out there. I would never have guessed it was your first time."

"My asthma started clearing up recently, so I thought I should try. Coach said it was okay, and I guess I'm better than I thought."

"Lucky. Though you really pissed off the captain. And I heard you hired someone to train you. At least, people have seen you hanging around with someone new. Says the rumor mill."

Blink.

"Um. Not really? I- what did you hear?"

"It's okay if you're getting some extra help, Scott, we're not going to tell anyone."

It's not her best save.

"I'm not cheating, if that's what you're saying. I just- I'm a little healthier lately. Sometimes asthma goes away when you get older."

"You know," he says, waving a slice in the air as he does, "accusing a guy of doping on the first date is probably a bad way to get a second one."

"Okay, fair. Not our best moment. I guess we were just kinda caught up with all the rumors. They can get in your head, you know? Also, I don't super want my sister to be around that sort of stuff..."