Probably a Travesty

Part 1 - Blossoming

It was just a normal day at MARS — but wait. Teen girl Lian plans to confess his love to Hank, one of the plastics. Lian knows Hank has "experience" that he doesn't, but that won't stop him from getting butterflies every time they exchange glances. This fateful day would change their lives forever. 

NICK: Oh, my god. (valley girl accent)

CRAIG: What? (super sassy)

NICK: We got new powder-coat.

CRAIG: Wait... really?! (so shocked) Eeeee! (manly shriek)

NICK: Yeah, look! It says here it has a much cleaner application. Maybe we won't have to go through what happened last time...

CRAIG: Oh, that's too bad... I thought you liked it...

NICK (suddenly switches to female smoker voice): *Chuckles* Mm, mm, mmm. Oh, you know we can't keep doing this, sweetie. You might tarnish my image.

CRAIG: I thought this was real. Don't you love me?!

NICK: I do. But I love me more. Go home, kid. I'm a maneater. 

CRAIG: Fine! Have fun eating men. Just know this. Although they might make a tasty snack or side dish, I'll always be the main course. 

Craig turns around and sashays out of the room. It might have looked more dramatic if he weren't so stiff. Or lightly sobbing.

While Nick sat there, staring longingly at his new powder-coater, deeply regretting his actions, the rest of the team started to pour in. A gaggle of dude bro rejects huddled around and talked about Fortnite. Electrical team attempted to cover their lack of progress with bad puns. OPR complained about Sharda. All was right. Including the weekly breakup of Nick and Craig.

Things were better than right, even. A dense, shining boy walked confidently down the hall, gracing everyone with his presence. Lian, dad-mom, beamingly innocent teenage girl. This very evening, he had only one goal in mind. Hank. 

Hank was an infamous plastic. A mean girl. He, the metaphysical peacock, would strut his way straight into Lian's heart. It skipped a beat as he walked into the room and saw Hank at his laptop. Hank, laser-focused on LabView, didn't notice Lian watching him. Fidgeting with his hands and working up the courage to speak.

Lian set his backpack down in the corner of the room and headed downstairs to work on a project. Even though he was doing everything perfectly (as always), his mind was elsewhere. After about an hour, his project was finished, and he wiped and sanitized his hands to remove the grease and germs. He had to present himself nicely for what he was about to do.

- later in the hallway-

HANK: So, what do you want? (snappy valley girl)

LIAN: It's... something important *fidgets*

HANK: Well, spit it out! I'm a busy person.

LIAN: Um... uh...

HANK: I'm leav—

LIAN: I like you! More than like, man. I like-like you!

HANK: I...

LIAN: It's fine, I didn't expect you to reciprocate my feelings or anything, I just... Couldn't keep it in anymore. 

HANK: I thought you'd never admit it. *steps uncomfortably close*

Hank slammed his hand against the wall behind Lian, pinning him to it. He bent down and moved his face closer to whisper in Lian's ear.

HANK: *I like you too*

He then stepped back, removing his hand from the glossy, white brick wall. He stared Lian straight in the eye. 

HANK: I was just waiting for you to say it first. 

LIAN: What? Wait... you knew..?

HANK: Of course I did. I know everything about you. Likes, dislikes, Social Security Number.

LIAN: I'm touched. I—I don't know what to say.

HANK: Then don't.

Hank presses a finger to Lian's soft lips. 

HANK: Let me take care of it.

Hank bends down again and tilts his head, replacing his finger with his own mouth. They maintained contact for a satisfying length of time, ending with Lian's swoon. Hank swiftly caught Lian in his arms and enveloped him in a caring embrace.

HANK: Careful... I won't let you get hurt while I'm here.

LIAN: Sorry... I got carried away. My wildest fantasies just came true. 

Lian pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed the screen. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston started playing. They danced the night away in each other's arms. They smiled at one another throughout. It was a representation of fulfillment. Lian had finally found his purpose.