In “The Secret Lives of Dorks,” Payton, portrayed by Gaelan Connell, is an awkward and socially inept comic book enthusiast whose high school experience is a series of embarrassing blunders. Despite this, he is a romantic at heart, infatuated with Carrie, the popular head cheerleader played by Riley Voelkel, and is determined to win her affection. Aware of his clumsy attempts to woo her, Carrie devises a scheme to divert his attention by steering him towards Samantha, a fellow nerd at the school, played by Vanessa Marano.