Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

November 26, 1955
5:30 PM PST

George Douglas McFly felt both excited and nervous, as he was at Holt's Diner. As he glanced across the table, he saw how beautiful Lorraine Margaret Baines was. It sure felt strange, thinking of how he actually had a bona fide girlfriend. The two were only dating, for the last two weeks. It seemed like so much has changed, within that time.

George was a little stunned by how popular he become - since the night that he finally had the courage to stand up to his long-time nemesis, Biff Tannen. It quite seemed as if the living nightmare of the previous five years were now over. He was finally free!

However, in spite of his new popularity, he quite realized that some of the more elitist pupils still weren't willing to really accept him amongst the higher ranks. As far as they were concerned, they believed in one specific mantra: once a loser, always a loser.

"Are you feeling okay, George?" Lorraine asked, concerned. "I guess you just still feel quite jittery over the prospect of running for class president, eh? The thing is, Sharon Schumacher was very sincere in her suggestion. She really does believe in you. I sure believe in you, as well. You just needed a little push in the right direction. That's all."

"You're quite right, Lorrie," George replied, sighing. "It's just that... Well, these things have such a tendency to become popularity contests, and you know how popular Ron Woodward is. While I seem to be a bit more well-liked, these days - I just feel as is..."

"You have a platform to run on, George," Lorraine replied, gently. "I mean, you really have some great ideas! For instance, I sure agree that physical assault should not be tolerated on the school grounds. I also love your idea of starting a Good Friends..."

"Really?" George asked, stunned. "Having been an outcast for so long... I really can't help but feel a little sensitive to the feelings of other outcasts... and those who might still be outcasts! Even Lester and Billy are not quite popular. I rather understand that school is about learning. Still, feeling like a social outcast really can hinder the..."

"Oh, I can understand what you mean," whispered Lorraine, as she grabbed George's hands into hers. "Y'know, I rather can't help but feel... a little guilty. Granted, I never actively participated in being mean to anyone. Still, I didn't really think of reaching..."

"It's okay, Lorrie," George replied, smiling. "I'm simply not blaming you, by any means. Intellectually, I always knew that it was only a rather vocal minority of the school who actively shunned me. Most were probably just oblivious to my very presence, in fact."

"Well, yeah, there are several hundred kids in the school," Lorraine pointed out. "You can't expect to know every single kid who attends. The thing is, I still feel ashamed. I do feel as if I should've made more of an effort to reach out to those... to those who are alone. Y'know, George, you've taught me a lot - within the last couple of weeks."

"Really?" George asked, stunned. This was still just a new experience for him. He sure wasn't used to feeling rather appreciated. Aside from his mother, his Grandpa William, and his Aunt Alice - he never really felt as if anyone saw any potential inside of him.

Even with the three aforementioned people, he often felt as if even they didn't quite see any potential in him - and that they only said encouraging things to him, because they felt that they had to. For much of his life, he had a low opinion of himself.

"Yes, really," replied Lorraine, as a smile spread across her face. "I actually learned to not be rather quick to assume things about others, for one. Granted, I never felt as if you were just a... a bad person. For what it's worth, given a choice between you and Biff - I definitely would've picked you! It's simply that... Well, I never thought that..."

"I never knew that I had the ability, either," George replied, softly. "I do quite owe all my gratitude to Marty Klein. At first, I thought he was a bit of a pest. When I realized that he just wanted to be my friend. I really miss him! He made a real difference in..."

"I sure miss him, too," Lorraine replied, a little nervously. "I mean, you're the guy that I'm in such love with - but I still feel as if... Say, George, what exactly do you think he meant - when he made the comment about the... the riving room rug fire? I mean..."

"He might've really been joking around," suggested George, even though he was also a little baffled by Marty Klein's parting comment. "Right now, I don't feel as if I'm very ready to... I dream of the day, Lorrie, that you and I get married. The idea of having kids, though... I really don't have that much experience around them. I just think..."

"This might come as a surprise," Lorraine explained, softly, "but I simply do agree with you. Granted, being the eldest in my family, I really am quite used to looking after the younger ones. Still, all things considered, being a parent isn't exactly the same thing."

"You know one advice that Marty really gave to me, Lorrie?" George asked, as a smile spread across his face. Lorraine nodded, as he added. "He taught me that, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I'm realizing how right he actually was."

"I really feel nervous, George," Lorraine replied, quietly. "I know that Marty Klein was a friend of yours - but, for me... I know how some people have rather questioned my love for you. I don't think it's quite because of you. It's because of me. I sort of have a reputation of... Well, before I met you, I never actually knew what true love was."

"Aw, that's so sweet!" gushed George, smiling. "You'll never guess what I discovered, earlier today. I was looking through some very old photo albums. I rather found some photos of my Grandpa William, from when he was our age. I really couldn't believe it!"

"That really is nice, George," Lorraine replied, softly. "I'm very close to my Uncle Dave and Aunt Eileen. Sometimes, I find myself wishing that my father could be a little more like his brother. I mean, Uncle Dave is real mild-mannered - while my father can be..."

"Yeah, your father is real gruff," George agreed, nervously. "At any rate, what I was about to say... Well, my Uncle William looked much like Marty Klein! The thing is, I just was a little... Many have said that he was quite handsome, when he was younger. At least, he was quite well-liked with the girls. Still, the fact that he looked like Marty..."

"Well, I did think he was a dreamboat," Lorraine muttered, blushing. "Marty, I mean. I think you're cute, as well." After taking a deep swallow, he added, "To be honest, the thing is... I sometimes envy you. Sometimes, I'd really like to trade families with you."

"Are you serious, Lorrie?" George asked, stunned. He never expected for Lorraine to feel that way. In fact, George often wished that he had brothers or sisters. "I rather found it to be lonesome, in fact, to be an only child. My cousins all live out of town."

"There are a few times," Lorraine explained, softly, "when I actually wish that I didn't have any brothers or sisters. In addition, I simply wish that I could trade fathers with you. Granted, your father's really a little like... well, like the way you used to be. The thing is, your father really is nice to you! I sometimes feel as if my father doesn't..."

"Doesn't what?" George asked, gently. To his horror, it simply looked like Lorraine was about to cry. If that was the case, then she sure needed for him to comfort her. "Are you, uh... What's, uh, troubling you? Did you and your father actually have a fight?"

"It's not that," Lorraine replied, with her voice wavering. As tears began to roll down her cheeks, she added, "I sometimes just feel as if he doesn't even love me. It really hurts, George. Just once, I would like for him to hug me - and to say those words!"

"What words?" asked George. At that moment, George felt like kicking himself - as the answer seemed to be so obvious. "Oh, you mean you want him to say 'I love you'? Of course, I can understand that could really make you feel..." He reached for Lorraine's hands, as he added, "Do you think you could, uh, maybe try talking to him about it?"

"I'm not quite sure if I can, George," Lorraine sobbed. "I mean, what if he yells at me? What if he simply says that I'm acting childish... or like a spoiled brat? What if he even says that he, in fact, doesn't love me? I don't think I can take that kind of rejection!"

"I really do understand, Lorraine," George replied, softly. In fact, this sounded almost exactly like something George himself used to say! "I quite think you should try talking to him, though. For all you know, he maybe doesn't even realize that you feel real..."

"You're right, George," Lorraine replied, as she wiped her eyes. "After I get home, it's going to... The sooner I talk things over with him, the sooner I... Y'know, George, I'm starting to understand just how you must've felt - all those years. I guess we all have our insecurities. It's best that I really overcome my insecurity of talking to my father."

"Marty did give very good advice," George replied sighing. "So did his uncle, now that I recall. I had Dr. Brown, when I was in third grade. It's been a long time ago, and it'll be... That was before my downfall, as well. It's good that Marty came into our lives."

"Perhaps, God really brought him into our lives," Lorraine suggested, "for a very good reason. Well, I'm ready for dessert. I really wish you good luck, on your campaign. At least, I'll be rooting for you. I'm looking rather forward to next Wednesday, actually."

George smiled, as he was so grateful for Lorraine encouragement. Within the last two weeks, things have simply been looking up. While some of his fellow pupils did still look down on him, he knew that a good many of them were very decent people. He hoped that many of them would just come to support his Good Friends Outreach Movement.