What If? V

"We try to be."

"Well good." Ellie chuckled.

"So where are you from originally?" Punk asked Lacy.

"California." She said dully.

"That's pretty broad." Scott snorted. "Where in California?"

She refrained from sighing. "Los Angeles."

"Ah." Punk nodded. "I've been there a few times for show but I'm not really crazy about it. Too many tourists."

Good, then stay out, she thought bitterly.

The waiter came out with their orders.

"Ugh, food." Scott grinned.

"Yummy." Ellie said. "Look Lace, your favorite. Burgers." she teased.

"Gross." she frowned.

"Is there something we should know?" Scott snorted.

"She's just not a fan of burgers, so I tease her whenever I get one." she shrugged.

"Vegetarian or something?" Punk asked.

"No." She said as she started to eat her salad.

"Weird." he chuckled. "We are going to crash at a friend's place, but it's pretty big. Hope that's okay."

"Oh." Punk said with a nod after Lacy responded.

"Fine with me." Ellie shrugged.

"So..." Since Lacy wasn't much help in conversation and Punk seemed to be only focused on her at the moment, he went to talk to Ellie. "Are you excited? I know it was kind of last minute when I asked you to come with us."

"I am excited." she nodded. "It's nice to be able to get away and spend more time with you." she said. "Plus, I get to see what you guys do up close, so it's fun."

"Well I hope you enjoy the actual show." he chuckled. "Otherwise it'd be a bust."

"I guess we'll have to wait and see."

"Yeah." he said.

A little while later and they were all done eating, and the bill was paid. "Everyone good?"

"I'm good." Punk said with a nod as he finished off his soda.

"Same." Ellie nodded, then looked over at Lacy. "Bathroom before we hit the road?"

"Yeah, sure." Lacy said as she got up and waited for Ellie.

"Be right back." Ellie said and started to head to the bathroom with Lacy.

Punk watched as they left. "Can we switch girls?" he joked.

"Oh come on." he chuckled. "I think she was.. nicer?"

"Well I'm glad -you're- having a wonderful time." Lacy said dryly as they went into the bathroom.

"...when?"

"You would be too if you opened up a bit more and talked to the guy." Ellie told her.

"Well you've still got your head, don't you?" he chuckled.

"For what? I know you want us to get married and have tons of babies and live happily ever after but I just don't like him."

"I guess." he said.

"I'm not expecting you to go off and marry the guy or have kids, but I don't know...be more pleasant? The guy is just asking questions to get to know you and you sound like you're bored." she said. "You don't have to like him, but at least talk to the guy. He's trying."

"Aw, Philly, I hate it when you pout." he teased him a little.

"I sound bored because I am bored." she said. "I'm only here to make sure your little boyfriend doesn't try anything stupid, remember? I tried to be nice to him at the bar and let him down easy and he wouldn't stop. Then I tell him straight to his face that I'm not interested, and he still didn't stop. I don't talk to him, and he still won't stop." she shook her head. 'I told you, he's not used to being told no and he thinks that pestering me and putting on this 'I'm not like other guys' act is gonna win me over."

"Well this trip will have a whole lot of pouting from me." he snorted.

"I don't think he's doing that. He's making all this effort to get you to just...hang out with him or get to know him. It's not like he's asking you to marry him or whatever." she sighed and shook her head. "Just forget it then, I don't want to make you more upset than you already are, so I won't pester you about it anymore."

"She's one girl, man." he snorted. "Why the big deal?"

"Maybe you should teach that guy how to take hints as easily as you do." she snorted as she went into a stall.