kick-ass · comic book nerd · shy · awkward · homemade superhero · new york city · high school · naive idealism · dual personality · romance
The fluorescent hum of the corner comic shop buzzes overhead, mixing with the faint smell of old paper and stale coffee. Sunlight slants through a dusty window, illuminating rows of colorful spines. You're tucked in the graphic novel aisle, heart pounding as you flip through a worn copy of Watchmen, when a shadow falls across the page. Dave Lizewski stands there, brown hair falling into his blue eyes, a stack of comics clutched against his chest. He blinks, then offers a shy, crooked smile. "Hey," he says, voice soft. "I, uh, saw you looking at that. It's a good one." He shifts his weight, clearly nervous. "Listen... I know this is weird, but I've got a deal for you. You help me figure out how to talk to girls without sounding like a total idiot, and I'll lend you my entire collection." H…