Alex and Pete are studying together for a History exam. Pete is helping Alex over some rough spots. Pete is a new student at Beverly Hills High, but viewed as a nerd by pretty much everyone. The only reason Alex is studying with him is that she needs the help.
As the study period ends, Pete says, "Alex, do you have a date for the dance this Friday?"
Alex likes Pete as a classroom acquaintance. But he is rather plain looking, and not very athletic. Besides, she really doesn't want to go on a date with him. "Oh... ah.. Pete! I'm sorry! I have a date!" says Alex, even though she doesn't.
"That's ok," says Pete, sadly. Alex hurries off into the corridor, when she runs into Rueben, literally. Rueben is a star on the football team, and a hottie!
"Oh... Sorry Rueben!" says Alex dreamily.
"My fault, Alex! Say, how would you like to go to the dance Friday?"
"I'd love too!" coos Alex. Out of the corner of her left eye, she notices that Pete has witnessed the whole event. He quietly lowers his head and walks away. Alex blushes in embarrassment.
The next day, Clover and Mandy are chosen as team captains for a Social Studies competition.
"So, Clover! Ready to get whipped?" chides Mandy.
"You wish!" responds Clover. "My team will end up on top!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" replies Mandy.
One of Clover's first choices is Pete. The competition goes to the 17th round, but Pete comes through! Clover's team wins! Mandy is fit to be tied!
"You'd never have won without Pete!" grouses Mandy.
Clover 'high fives' Pete. "That was great, Pete! Mandy had to eat her words!"
After class, Pete asks Clover, "Clover, do you have a date for the dance Friday?"
But Clover also rebuffs him. "I'm sorry Pete! My social schedule is full!" Clover likes Pete as a classroom acquaintance too, but nothing more. He's so plain looking. He's no '10', that's for sure! He isn't a '9' or an '8' either! She only dates '9s' or better, so he's off the list!
"No problem!" says Pete in his falsetto voice and walks away quietly, but just before he leaves earshot, Aaron, a football stud asks, "Hey Clover, how about going to the dance Friday with me?"
"Sure!" Clover responds dreamily.
It's Wednesday, and Chess Club time! Sam is locked in a battle royale with Pete. On the 72nd move, Pete makes a brilliant sacrifice that leads to his victory five moves later.
"Well played, Pete! That was some game!" Sam congratulates.
Pete tries once more, "Say Sam, do you have a date for the dance Friday?"
Sam wants to be gentle, "You are a sweet person, Pete, but no! I'm sorry!"
"That's OK", says Pete as he walks away sadly.
Sam also likes Pete as a classroom acquaintance, but she really doesn't want to go on a date with him either. Sam feels bad; she likes Pete as a school chum, but that's all. As it turns out, Don, a cute boy from Physics, asks her to the dance in the parking lot, and she readily accepts. Pete witnesses the episode from across the parking lot, and sadly walks home. Sam sees him out of the corner of her eye, and blushes momentarily.
And so it goes for Pete. Pete asks every girl in Beverly Hills High to the dance, but gets turned down. "What? Me go to the dance with YOU?", "Sorry, I don't date nerds!", "Go date your computer, nerdman!", are some of the nicer rebuttals he gets. He ends up spending Friday night and the rest of the weekend alone at home.
Monday is tough for Pete as everyone raves on how great the dance was. Pete just silently walks to class, and starts studying. There is another dance this Friday, and Pete tries valiantly again, asking around for a date, but gets the same results.
As the school month progresses, Alex is having difficulty again in History. She has avoided Pete since she turned him down, and saw him after she accepted Rueben's invitation. She would say a perfunctory "Hi!" and that's it. But she was in a bind.
So she quietly asks Pete, "Pete, can you help me with this History chapter?"
But Pete replies, "Sorry Alex! I have to finish this project!" and walks away.
Clover is having some problems in Social Studies too. She's going to ask Pete for help.
"Say Pete, I am having trouble with this chapter. Can you help me?" Clover asks.
Clover is surprised by Pete's answer. "Sorry, Clover! I'm helping another student!" and walks away. Clover is dumbfounded. No guy has EVER turned her down when she asked for help before!
There is going to be a mini chess tournament between players in the Chess Club. Matt is chosen as one team captain, and Sam as the other. Sam gets first pick.
"I choose Pete," says Sam. But Pete says, "Oh, I'm sorry Sam. I almost forgot! I have to get home to do my homework! See you around!" and he walks away. Sam is confused.
Soon the gals are together, and Sam asks, "Have you gals noticed anything unusual about Pete?"
"I'll say! I asked him to help me with Social Studies, but he told me he was helping another student! Then 5 minutes later I saw him walking to the library!" says Clover.
"Same here, Sammy!" says Alex. "I needed help in History, but he said he needed to finish a project. A little while later I saw him walking around the soccer field!"
"I had a similar experience. We were going to have a chess tourney within the Chess Club, but when I chose him for my team he left in a hurry saying he needed to do homework! Then I saw him walking in the parking lot," says Sam.
"It sounds like he doesn't want to associate with us!" says Clover indignantly.
"Well, that's fine with me!" says Alex angrily.
"I agree. I wonder, though, what happened. He was always a helpful and friendly guy!" says Sam.