'Nah, you're cool. Feels nice to have someone to talk to who hasn't known my family for years. My sister and I - compete. A lot. I think we'd be closer if not for that. And she's a good sister when it counts, just. Yeah. ...What's your family like?'

'Well, I'm an only child, it's just me and my parents.  My mom's a consultant - I think I said? - so she works a lot, and I was always closer with my dad.  He's really nice, he was really supportive when I decided I wanted to be a doctor, even though I was only twelve and a lot of people wouldn't have taken me seriously.  My mom's... sort of distant?  She and my dad are really sweet together, but I was never as close to her..  ...I don't think she takes me quite as seriously as my dad does.  She sort of... jokingly implies I must want to be a doctor for the money, sometimes.  And like, I don't think she actually believes it, and it's funny sometimes, but sometimes it - isn't.'

'Yeah. People can be jerks sometimes even when they don't mean to. It's great that your dad's so supportive, though.'

'He is pretty great.  Thanks for - being sympathetic.  It feels like a little thing but it can be - trying.'

'Oh, it looks like gym's wrapping up, we should go convene.'

'Yeah.' Then once gym ends: 'See you after club?'

'Yep!  Have a good time at sci fi club!'

Club's much the same as it always is. When it's done, Lianne claims a bench and pulls out her homework to wait for Kaylee. 

Kaylee shows up a little while after clubs are done with for the day.

"Hi," she says.  "So, yearbook didn't let me in, unfortunately.  There's a whole application process and they don't want to accept late applicants.  I might check out fantasy-sci-fi club next week."

"Sorry to hear about that! We'd be glad to have you, though."

"'Sokay, it wasn't my top priority or anything."  She sits.  "I'm not as big a sci fi fan as an anime fan, though, so I might be a bit lost if I join in watching Doctor Who with you guys."

"To be honest, I'm sometimes lost, too! I'm more of a book nerd than a TV nerd. The club president's huge into Doctor Who, though. Everything I know about the series I've absorbed from her."

She giggles.  "We can be lost together.  Two people who have no idea what's going on have got to be better than one!  For some reason, probably!"

"We can practice our identical expressions of confusion!"

"Synchronized bafflement!  The newest Olympic event!"

She giggles helplessly.

"Gold medalists Kaylee Whitlock and Lianne - oh gosh I don't even know your last name!"

"I could've sworn I introduced myself properly! Sorry about that, it's Arrington."

"Lianne Arrington!  That's okay, I don't think I ever told you my last name either."

"We can be mannerless together then!"

"Synchronized Bafflement and Doubles Impoliteness.  These seem like really niche events!"

"Makes it more likely we'll win!"

"That's a plus!  But is it worth it if no one bothers to tune in for our triumph?"

"I think we're charismatic enough to draw crowds."

She giggles.  "I hope so!"

"After all, natural beauty counts for quite a lot in competitions like these."