The Nerd and I [Book One]

Chapter One

[Earl]

I groaned when I heard a loud knock on my door. I slowly got up while rubbing my tired eyes.

What time was it anyway?

I reached for my glasses to look at the clock. 6:32 a.m.

“Hey Earl! Get the f**k up and eat your breakfast!”

I sighed after hearing Edward’s loud voice from behind the door. I quickly folded my sheets and arranged my bed before going downstairs.

I yawned while climbing down the stairs. Why am I so tired anyway? Oh, I remember. I stayed up late again just to finish the assignments of Matthias and my other classmates.

I rubbed my eyes again and hissed after feeling the sting.

I entered the dining room and saw my father and brother already eating their breakfast. I sat down on the chair, grabbing the peace of bread before munching it in silence.

“Tuition arrived,” my father mumbled, not even looking at me. “You know what to do.”

Edward only stared at me.

I nodded. “Okay.”

I walked towards the desk that was placed across the door. I grabbed the envelope containing my tuition bills.

I mentally sighed. Oh well.

I arrived at school, swiftly walking towards the entrance. My head was low, my fingers were curled and my lips were tightly closed.

Yep, this was my daily routine when coming to school.

Never look at anyone. Never talk to anyone.

These were my survival techniques throughout high school.

That’s alright. I’ll be graduating soon. I could finally leave this hell hole.

I opened the door of my locker, mentally sighing after seeing the pile of trash inside. I kept on asking myself how could they even open my locker.

I ignored the garbage and pulled out my books.

“Good morning!”

I smiled when I saw Justin beside me. He’s the only one who could talk to me normally here in school and I’m glad for that. I never really get why he hangs out with me even though he’s popular and all. He’s not like the others who were constantly giving me cold and disgruntled looks.

“Did you finish our assignments?” he asked, grinning from ear to ear.

I smiled back at him as I pushed my glasses back before getting their notebooks from my bag. I handed it to him and he tousled my hair.

“Thanks a lot dude! You’re a true friend!”

I smiled at his words. Yeah, he wasn’t like the others —

I gasped when my locker door suddenly closed behind me. I turned around and saw Matthias behind me.

“Oh hey Matthias,” Justin casually greeted but Matthias only raised a brow at him.

“Getting close with Mr. Lame here?” he teased while ruffling my hair with force, making me a little bit uncomfortable.

“Uhh I think should go to class,” I mumbled almost inaudibly, but Matthias kept his hand on my head.

“But you still haven’t given my assignment,” he whispered in my ear, making my skin crawl.

I hastily took his notebooks out of my bag before pushing it to him. “S-sorry.” My eyes were still itchy, but I was too preoccupied with what was happening in front of me.

Matthias took his notebooks from me. “Good.”

He clicked his tongue and leaned closer to me. Our faces were inches away from each other and I could feel his hot breath on me.

Hard to admit it but he smelled so nice. Just like chocolate and mint?

Matthias smirked when he saw me gulp. I took a quick glance at his face and I saw how good looking he really was. Soft brunette hair, piercing brown eyes, perfectly sculpted nose, sexy plump lips. No wonder everyone wanted him.

Why does that beautiful face have to be the devil’s spawn I wonder?

“I’ll be seeing you this afternoon Earl,” he said, raising an amused brow at me.

I felt my face became hot but I brushed it off.

Matthias looked at Justin who was just grinning at him. He only rolled his on him before walking away from me.

“Wait Matthias!” Justin ran beside his side and they started walking their way to class.

I stared at Matthias’ back. As much as I hated him, there was something inside me that wanted to know everything about him.

The class soon ended and all the students were busy with their afternoon gimmicks. Not for me though. I still had to go to my part-time job to earn money for my tuition fee.

After gathering my things, I put my bag behind me and trotted out of the room. I opened the door only to be greeted by some girls who were wearing short skirts and almost see-through shirts.

They gasped when they saw me.

“Oh, you’re still here,” one of them said.

I awkwardly looked at them. “Sorry.” I stepped out of the room.

“Hey!” They called out and I turned to face them.

“Y-yes?” I didn’t had time for this. I’m already late for work!

The girl standing in the middle gave me a bored look. “Matthias said you have to meet him down the hallway in the old building,” she informed.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Really? What does he want from me now? I already finished his assignment and tomorrow’s Saturday so he doesn’t need me anymore.

But he’ll probably hurt me up if I wouldn’t show up, right?

I sighed in defeat.

I arrived at the end of the hallway and saw Matthias leaning against the wall. He was listening to his iPod that’s why he didn’t noticed that I was already here.

I slowly walked up to him while staring at his face.

Wow, I don’t know how many times I’d said it, but he really looked good. He could even be a model if he wanted to. He’s got the height, the face and even the attitude. He’s got the fashion-style because he always wore nice clothes.

Finally, I stood up in front of him. I cleared my throat to gain his attention.

I was expecting that he would be surprised to see me beside him since he didn’t know that I was already here, but he only looked at me as if he already knew that I was here.

I cleared my throat. “You said you wanted to see me?”

Matthias smirked at me before pulling his earphones away, stuffing it inside his pocket. “Glad you came.”

I turned my head to the side to avoid looking at his face. “What do you want from me?”

“I think you know why I called you out here.” He pulled out an envelope and threw it to me.

I barely caught it with my hands. “What’s this?”

“My chemistry project due on next Monday. Be sure to finish that.” Matthias smirked at me.

“B-but I also have my own project to work on －” I almost cringed when I saw him glaring at me.

“You know what will happen if you disobey me right?” Matthias kept on walking towards me, making me back away from him like a trapped bunny waiting to be eaten alive.

I cowered in fear as I forced myself not to whine. I felt the cold wall on my back and looked up to see Mathias looming over me. My shoulders were trembling in anxiety. I have to get out of here, NOW!

“I-I’ll do your project,” I finally said and that made him smile at me.

“That’s a good boy.” He tousled my hair in appreciation and I sighed in relief.

He looked at his wristwatch and cursed. “s**t, I’m late for practice.” He then glanced at me and gave me one last sweet and charming yet sadistic smile. “Catch you later, nerd.”

I lowered my head, trying my best not to blush.

“I’m sorry I’m late!” I apologized as soon as I arrived.

Mr. Lee, the owner of the store, gave me a disappointing look but just sighed in exasperation. “Just be on time next time, okay Earl?”

He was a black, buff man with a balding head and sharp eyes. He looked intimidating, but he’s really nice sometimes.

“Won’t...happen...again...” I wheezed.

He walked away and left me alone in the locker room. I sat on one of the chairs, catching my breath. Good thing I had my bicycle with me or else, Mr. Lee would scold me again.

Yeah, he does that a lot. Whenever I made mistakes, he wouldn’t have second thoughts of scolding me even in front of the customers. I didn’t mind anyway I mean he was just doing his job.

I worked at a local ice cream parlor. The pay’s good and the store’s quite near from our house. It’s really convenient for me.

A few seconds of rest, I finally stood up and trotted towards my locker to change into my uniform. I took off my shirt and folded it neatly. I was about to put it in the locker when the door suddenly opened.

Adam silently gasped, “Oh.” He eyed me from head to toe and it made me a little bit uncomfortable.

I waved an awkward hand at him, “uh...hello.”

“H-hey there,” he said while clearing his throat. He closed the door and neared me. His eyes were focused on my chest. Or was it?

“Sorry. I was late,” I apologized rubbing the back of my head.

His lips twitched and forced a smile. “Don’t sweat it man. Anyway,” he reached out for my uniform in my locker and tossed it on my face, “wear that. Now.”

I scowled. Guess he was disgusted to see my body. I mean just look at what his reaction was.

I nodded and quickly wore my shirt.

“Sorry ’bout that,” I mumbled.

“Y-yeah, whatever.” He closed the door of the locker and faced me again. “What time did you get in here?”

“Just now,” I answered.

“Oh.”

“Yeah...maybe I should go and do some actual work now,” I said in my timid voice and he agreed.

“Yeah, that’s what you should do,” Adam said.

I walked past him, but he held my wrist to stop me. I turned around to see him, eyes widening in confusion.

“What is it Adam?” I asked in concern and I think I saw shades of red across his cheeks.

“Just take it easy out there Earl,” he reprimanded.

I blinked a couple of times, letting his words sink in.

Adam’s worried about me? Wow, that’s new. Not many people showed their concern about me.

I blushed, slowly nodding while smiling.

“Thanks, I will.”

I opened the door of my room and threw my bag on the corner of my room. I’m so tired I just wanted to sleep. But of course, I couldn’t do that thanks to a certain someone.

I unbuttoned my shirt and tossed it over the bed. I walked towards the large mirror just beside my bed and stared at my body.

I’m weak. Physically and mentally. No wonder people always bully me.

Although I wanted to workout, I couldn’t. I’ve got a lot more things to do rather than exercising. Like studying, doing projects and assignments of others, working to pay my tuition, cleaning the house before my father and brother beat me up. Stuff like that.

Sometimes I just wish I could be invisible so people wouldn’t bother me anymore.

After changing, I sat in front of my study table and took my current projects out so I could start.

I sighed. Oh well, here goes nothing.

I opened my eyes, my vision still blurry. I stretched and felt my whole body ached. I slept on the table again. This happened quite a lot. I usually stay up all night working on assignments and projects.

And now I have two major projects I’m working with.

Great.

I pulled the string of the venetian blinds to open it. The bright sunlight blinded me for a second.

Saturday morning. The time where teenagers do their thing. Shopping, watching movies, playing games, hanging out with their friends and families.

But not me.

I’m so damn hungry.

I fumbled for my glasses and after finding it, I went out of my room to eat breakfast. I walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen, finding nothing as expected.

I opened the fridge and found the carton of milk inside. I took it out and grabbed the cereal from the cabinet, pouring both in a bowl. I sat on the stool and quietly ate my food.

Edward entered the kitchen, glaring at me the second he saw me before opening the fridge to get the milk carton as well.

“G’morning,” I greeted, my voice hoarse and dry.

He ignored me and ate his cereal while standing and leaning on the sink.

I rubbed my tired eyes behind my glasses, hissing a little because of the sting.

“Damn, I’m late again!” My father burst inside the kitchen, taking the milk and drinking from it. After he emptied the carton, he threw it in the trashcan counter and looked at Edward. “Take care of things.” Without looking at me, he left the house.

I heard the car engine fading away. I took the used milk carton and threw it in the trash can. Edward put the bowl in the sink and exited the kitchen, leaving me alone to wash the dishes.

“What time is it anyway?” I mumbled to myself, glancing up to see the clock. “Eight. I still have some time to finish the project.” I dragged my heavy body towards my room to start.

Days passed and at last, I finished all my duties. God, I’m so tired and I wanted to rest but I couldn’t.

I walked down the corridor while clutching Matthias’ project in my hands. I couldn’t believe I finished two heavy projects. Not to brag or anything but am I good or what?

I chuckled to myself, but as soon as I did I felt my vision becoming blurry and unstable.

“W-what the...” I massaged my temples. Oh no, my head’s pounding. Agh, why now?!

“Hey.”

I heard Matthias in front of me. I looked up, but I couldn’t see him that well. “M-Matthias...?”

“Did you finish my project?”

Oh good, it was Matthias.

I put my hand on the wall to support my weakening body while my other one reached for the folder to give it to him.

“Here...your project...”

“Good. What’s wrong with you...?”

I didn’t manage to answer him since everything became dark.