PURE HEROINE II 13 REASONS WHY

valentine's results

"Valentine's day is a day like every other one with the exception that people are going crazy."

❥

"Hey, boys", Liz greets Jeff and Clay in the library on Monday, "Did you enjoy the dance?" The question is completely unbiased and Liz is glad that her voice also sounds like that so Jeff wouldn't think she's jealous or find out that she's acting differently. She's not been trying to avoid him but she tried to keep their conversations to a minimum since the dance. Well, until now. She's realized that this won't work and made a new plan: act normal. 

"Yeah, it went well. You left early, what did you do?" "I stayed with Justin", she nods not even feeling weird about lying. She's told herself many times that she stayed with Justin so she already believes it herself. Jeff doesn't even ask about Justin anymore. He knows that they're only hooking up and he went on a date with Leah himself so he can't blame her. He just hopes that this was the last time so they can get back together when they are supposed to. 

Thanks to Jessica, he worries less. "Looks like it was the last time that you stayed with him. He's talking to Jessica a lot", Jeff mentions, "By the way, thanks for giving Scott a ride. I know you two don't get along easily so that was really nice." "Sure, it's been on my way." "Okay, back to the topic", Clay interrupts the two trying to make Jeff focus on school topics again, "The founding fathers cultivated hemp but not in that way.." 

"They didn't? But Ellie and Justin said something about it." "Liz. Don't confuse him when I'm trying to make him have better grades. They haven't been weird potheads", Clay rebukes both teens. "At first I was explaining it to him seriously. But Jeff didn't want to listen so we made a joke out of it", Liz shrugs giving Jeff an apologetic smile. The two teens get back to their topic and Liz listens to a more interesting topic in her mind: Valentine's quiz sheets. 

Tony critizes how personal those are but Ryan isn't skeptical about it. "I understand it but it feels wrong", Tony decides. "What a shame, Tony. I'm pretty sure you'd have no problems getting that list filled", Liz speaks up making the boy smile at her. They're not friends but they're no strangers as well. They get along well. And ever since they started talking, Tony helps her with her car and she listens to him about his family or other issues. 

"Thanks, Liz, but I don't think that they could really tell you who you're supposed to end up with. Sorry, I know you're working on them." "I'm doing it for the cheer team, not for me. But honestly, they're not as bad. Jeff and I are on each other's list each year." "That's true and I mean.. is there a better couple?", Jeff adds turning around. "Get back to work", Liz chuckles nudging the boy's shoulder but Clay lost track of the founding fathers as well watching Ryan leave. 

"He's pretty attached to his magazine", he states. "He's attached to magazines, shoes and not a lot of other things", Tony goes on. "What are you doing?", Jeff asks his tutor as he seems distracted. "Uhm, nothing. It's nothing", Clay stutters so they know something is up. "The valentine's quiz sheet", Liz recognizes the pink paper under his hand. "Let me see it", Jeff says and takes it, although Clay let's out a few nervous ‚no's. 

"Okay, how do I spend my saturday evening? You answer with video games. Your favorite music are indie bands and your favorite books are fantasy and sci-fi", Jeff reads out loud. "Why don't you say The Lord of the Rings in a loop?", Liz adds remembering how Clay used to do that a few years ago. "I don't do that anymore", Clay defends himself but Tony gives him a surprised look. "You've done that?" "Many times", Liz answers laughing lightly. 

"We should improve this", Jeff points to this sheet but Clay is too skeptical. "No, please don't." "Listen, I needed a grade average of a C to be a part of the baseball team and I was super bad in history so I needed help. How about you, Clay, what is your love life like? Grade C or better?" "Worse", Clay gives in mumbling. "You need help." "A great point", Tony agrees with Jeff so Jeff and Liz sit down with Clay to change his answers. "Did this ever work? I doubt this gives good results." "Ellie and I are always on each other's list, the first ones", Jeff explains, "And we are quite a good couple, aren't we?" 

"Wait.. I thought you're having a break or whatever this is called between you two?" "We do", Liz replies, "But still we've been a great couple and we'll be together again when we are supposed to. Just because we aren't dating right now doesn't mean we don't belong to each other. If you fill this out correctly, it'll work." "But how do we fill it out correctly, when Jeff's doing it?" "I'm improving it, Clay, there's a difference", he corrects Clay in a friendly way showing his understanding for the meaning of different words.

A few days later, the girls from the cheer team evaluate the sheets and hand out the results. While Hannah is talking to Sheri who sits next to Liz, Scott Reed approaches her. "Lennox." "Reed." "Here's my list." "What makes you participate in that?", Liz wonders but takes his sheet and places it in the scanner, "Don't you have enough girls on your list?" 

"Maybe not the right one", Scott answers seriously to her surprise, "And I've heard you needed money for the banner?" „Yeah, we do", she nods and chuckles more to herself imagining the boy looking for the right girl, "Reed looking for the right one." "What's so funny about it?" "Nothing", she shakes her head quickly taking the sheet with the results. Liz can't help but take a look at it just to find her name rank first. 

"Looks like the algorithm made a mistake. I'll print you a new one", she quickly says but the nervousness in her voice makes Scott wonder who the names are. As if the algorithm wouldn't work, he thinks to himself. So he reacts quickly and takes the first sheet before Liz can throw it into the bin. "Mistake, huh?", Scott chuckles and Liz groans. "Tara is on number two, just call her", she ignores him trying to taunt her and rolls her eyes. 

"No, please, give me a new sheet. I'm interested to see who the actual number one is", Scott goes on and is clearly enjoying the situation. Liz rolls her eyes once more and does as he says knowing that she's got no chance now. "Here", she acts normal trying to pretend that her name isn't on the next sheet but it's exactly the same. "Thanks, Lennox. I'll take this into account." Scott flashes her his unique crooked but flattering grin leaving her behind.