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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38560
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38560
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I believe you have to give the boy a skill that the girl really likes.

Obviously it can't be fighting; but a bullied boy can still be highly intelligent, or artistic, or musical, or something more unusual that she appreciates. one example, he's awesome with dogs, and despite not defending himself, leaps into a dog fight to prevent a big mean dog from killing her little dog. He even gets bit, but blows it off, and ends up controlling the bigger dog. She doesn't get it, he's not afraid of being bitten by a dog but can't stand up for himself? (You find a reason for him to be that way; e.g. when she asks, he tells her, "That dog won't come looking for me tomorrow, he won't hold a grudge."

You need to invent a scene that first create curiosity on her part; she cannot be 100% shallow even if she is popular. She needs to be a thinking, feeling human being. Yeah she knows she's pretty; yeah she knows how to make people like her. But that can't be her whole life.

She starts a secret relationship with this boy, she loves his art, she loves his music, whatever. It is only partially true that "opposites attract"; the truth of relationships is synergy together. If Jack and Jill have different skills and are willing to use them to benefit both of them, they are stronger for that. But also, if Jack and Jill enjoy the same music, movies, books, or physical activities (like hiking, surfing, climbing, chess, D&D) then together they find more for both of them, have more opportunities for fun together, and can enjoy being with each other.

"Same" attracts also, most of your friends will share at least some of your interests, or you have nothing to talk about.

That synergy of co-dependence (skills Jack has that Jill does not, and vice versa), shared enjoyable experience and liking to be together (things they both like) makes people care for each other. It makes them think about each other, and builds empathy between them. Add in some mutual physical attraction, and the demonstration of that care in emotionally vulnerable moments can then be the trigger for love.

It is not love at first sight, really, that is lust. This is the recipe for love of the person; she can be in love with the thinking and emotions of the **artist** that truly cares for her, whatever you choose his "art" to be.

Original score: 2