Author: Bec

Rating: PG (Now)

Pairing: Averman/Portman, various others to come - Guy/Connie, Scott/Julie, etc.

A/N: As much as I dislike the idea of original characters in fan fiction, (as I am very fond of canon/fanon relationships and possible plotline) I was at a loss for female characters I could use. And with an arsenal of potential female characters, as fifty percent or so of Eden's population are ladies, why should I resist? Slash Warning.

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"Averman?"

"Yes?" Les answered, peering up from his literature book, that was flopped open over his lunch tray.

"Hi."

"Hello. . . Do I know you?" he examined the girl, finding it a bit odd that he was being approached by a female, and one that knew his name, for that matter.

"I don't think so. I'm Elizabeth. I'm in the pep band. . . I know you only by reputation and commentary. . ." she said with a smirk.

"Oh! Well, hi, Elizabeth," he responded, faintly recognizing her. Ah, yes that was it. Had she a drum in front of her stomach she would have been more recognizable. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose that had slid forward during this studying. "Did you need something?"

"Well . . ." Beth began, "I just wanted to have a word," she gestured to the chair that was across from him and he waved his hand for her to sit. "It's hard to find you alone, it seems. I mean, the Ducks are always with you. . ." She didn't want to seem stalker-ish, but was afraid she had come off that way.

Averman rose his red eyebrows in surprise. She had been trying to find him alone? He readied his hands to close his book. She had his attention.

"I just wanted to say hello... You play well, and all. And you beat me out for top score on our calculus exam. . ." she shared. The results had been posted just before the lunch period.

"I did?" he asked, with wonder. "I mean, sorry, I guess," he smirked a little. "Are you in that class?"

"Yeah. . ."

"How come you never say hello then?"

"Mister Banks," she told him, of Adam. He and Adam Banks shared the class, only two sophomores there. "I'm just a little shy, ya know, it's not that I don't like them. I just want to avoid. . ."

Les nodded, completely understanding, but not sure why in the hell this perfectly normal-looking girl was interested in speaking with him at all. "That's all right. So, you caught me. They all went over to that stereo- typically-named 'Tony's Pizzeria' for some pie. I'm failing English, though," he gave a chuckle and lifted his book slightly, then shifted it to the side of his tray and freed his hands.

"Oh, well," she shifted in her chair. Beth didn't want to be the reason he didn't get in his study time. "I can leave you alone, if you want to finish."

"Well, I really should, but, if you want to meet up later, we could. . ." Les suggested.

"Oh! Yeah, that'd be great. Erm, I'm free tonight, or tomorrow sometime. I have a tennis match Sunday. . ." she told.

"Well, how about tonight, then?" Les knew the Ducks were practicing the next day, so that ex-ed out Saturday as an option. After practice they always went out together.

"Sounds great. . . Meet here?"

"Sure thing, Elizabeth," Les gave her a kind smile and she stood up, holding the books she'd brought along to her chest. She took a few steps back and smiled in return, then headed over to a table where two other girls seemed to be awaiting her arrival.

What in the hell had just happened?