"Excuse me? Forced you? Did I tie you up, drag your skinny little butt here and threaten your life if you didn't have some damn cookies and socialize?" She leaned down and poked him in the chest. "At most, I suggested you come. Once I discerned you were just a kid pretending to be a scientist, all interest was gone!" She straightened, flipping her hair off her shoulders.

"Just don't talk to anyone, you creepy little monster. You'll freak everyone out!" With a "hmph," she turned and walked past him resolutely. With her back to him, her lips curved into the barest of smiles.