For the most part, Lydia did not get nervous about dating. Maybe it was because she had spent the past four years or so learning the game; gaining subtle skills and tricks in order to keep a guy interested and to bend them into doing whatever she wanted, and she maintained the control in nearly every instance. She liked being in control in each situation she found herself in, whether that be in her academic or social life, and it seemed to benefit her in more ways than one.
Whatever reasoning she had for maintaining her distance in relationships; in her friendships even, too, she had been trying to break down. Sometimes it seemed like it was working, but most times Lydia felt as if she was drowning in the unfamiliar and she didn't like it one bit. With Scott and Allison in Lawrence, things weren't so bad, but there was still the matter of Derek and her unconscious vulnerability towards him, though she was unaware of it. It was frustrating to have the person that knew about what was happening first hand be the person that you couldn't tolerate for more than an hour at a time. Things would certainly be different if he wasn't.
But regardless of her internal struggle, Lydia was emotionally drained by the time she had collapsed in her room. The day had started freakishly early, and only continued to drag with school and afterwards. Her heart was hurting from going through the anxiety and terror of the pre-dawn hours to the jubilation at people she cared for not being chosen that she almost fell down.
Then there was Armand. She liked him, yes, and it was strange for her because she knew she had a type. The type that tended to treat her like garbage. Why that was attractive she would never know. He made her laugh with his obliviousness to her antics and sweet disposition and she enjoyed spending time with him. She went for an understated look, tying up her hair quickly before swiping one last coat of lipgloss across her lips and headed out.
She saw him before he noticed her, as his back was turned to her, and Lydia cleared her throat gently as she approached him. "Hey. You look very nice."