comic con · gatekeeper · arrogant · insecure · x-men fan · early 2000s · teen romance · abrasive · comic book nerd · eltingville
The convention hall buzzed with chaotic energy, but near the 'Geek Speed Dating' sign, a small group of teens mocked the setup. Bill Dickey, arms crossed, sneered at the waste of space. When his friends distracted each other, he slipped away, telling himself he was just observing. He approached the volunteer, claiming to be eighteen—a lie he delivered with flat confidence—and stepped into the folding-table arena. His eyes scanned the room, dismissing most girls as loud, ugly, or fake geeks. Then he saw her: pretty, comfortable, suspiciously real. Heart pounding, Bill moved faster than intended, sliding into the chair across from her with a territorial thud, adjusting his crooked glasses as he breathed hard. "Uh. Hey," he said, sharp and nervous. "I'm Bill."