The Nerd and I [Book One]

Chapter Two

[Earl]

“Remember this Earl. Whatever happens I’m always with you.”

“Mom I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s not your fault darling. I’m just happy that you’re alright.”

“Mom...” I cringed when I opened my eyes and saw the unfamiliar white ceiling above.

“Oh good. You’re awake now.” I looked at the nurse beside me who was smiling. “Anything hurts?” she asked.

I tried to get up but my body felt so heavy. “M-my head hurts,” I answered while clutching my now aching temples.

The nurse nodded. “No problem. I’ll fetch you aspirins. Anything else?”

I shook my head and hissed when I felt it ached even more. “N-no, thanks.”

She left the room, leaving me alone to ponder. What the hell happened? Next thing I knew, I’m here in the clinic. Did I collapsed? If I did, who carried me here?

I turned my body to face the wall, still thinking.

The door opened and I heard someone entering. Thinking that it was the nurse, I didn’t bother to look at her. Maybe she got the medicine for my head ache.

“Hey nerd.”

My eyes widened and I jerked my body to see Matthias in front of me.

“M-Matthias?” I stammered.

What the – ? No way. The Matthias. Here inside the clinic with me? And what’s more, we’re alone! I felt my face reddened at the sudden thought.

“Good. I can see that you’re fine now,” Matthias mumbled.

His eyes were telling me something I couldn’t understand.

I woke up from my thoughts. “O-oh. Yeah. A little headache though but I can manage,” I said and I gave him a slight smile.

“Mhmm,” Matthias hummed. He walked to the stool beside the bed and sat on it. He wasn’t looking at me and it doesn’t look like he wanted to talk so I just stared at him like an i***t.

What should I say? “Are you okay? Don’t you have classes to attend to?” I finally asked.

“Shut up. Don’t talk to me you i***t,” Matthias growled and I only pursed my lips tighter, now afraid that he would scold me or something. What the heck were you even thinking Earl? Of course he wasn’t worried about you. He’s just here to...I don’t know? Give me more assignments to work on?

“Why? Why didn’t you...?” I looked at him and I saw his fist shaking in anger. I bit my lips as I readied myself to whatever harsh words he was going to tell me. “Forget it.” He stood up from where he was sitting.

Out of the blue, my hand reached up to grab his wrist and I heard him gasp a little.

We stared at each other for a second but it was Matthias who broke the eye contact.

“The project...did you pass it?” My voice was shaking and I didn’t know what the hell I’m talking about. I just didn’t want him to leave me alone.

Matthias lowered his head before looking back at me. I stared at him with wide eyes while trying to read his emotions.

He seemed angry and worried?

“Yeah, I passed it,” he mumbled. “Let go.”

I quickly released his hand. “Sorry!”

Matthias turned his body so he could face me. He reached up a hand as if he was going to touch my face. I shut my eyes and was ready to feel his touch but it never came.

“Next time,” Matthias started and I opened my eyes to look at him, “don’t do it again. If you do, I’ll f*****g kill you.”

He stepped away from me to leave the room. The door behind him silently closed but the sound echoed in my ears.

I blinked while registering his words in my mind.

Could it be possible...that he’s worried about me?

Good Lord that will be delightful.

After hours of resting and spending half of the day inside the clinic, I finally decided to attend my last class since it was one of the classes I had with Matthias. I hate to admit it but I really wanted to see him right now.

And here I was thinking that I’m supposed to despise him.

I slipped my shoes on and folded the sheets of the bed before walking out.

“About time you get up.”

I saw Edward sitting on one of the chairs. His arms were crossed and he had his usual scary glare.

I mentally panicked. Oh no. Was he called just because I fainted? I mean it’s only natural for the nurse to call one of the relatives when something happened to one of the students but –

I couldn’t exactly recall Edward as a loving brother.

“Sorry,” I sheepishly apologized while rubbing the back of my head.

I glanced at the nurse and she was behind her desk doing her job. She eyed Edward and then me. I gave her a smile and she smiled back.

“Are you feeling alright, Mr. Harrison?” she asked and I nodded.

“Yes. Sorry for the trouble,” I replied.

“That’s good. If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask me.” She grinned at me before returning back to what she was doing.

Edward stood up and walked out of the clinic. Before following him, I gave the nurse a curt nod.

Once we were outside, Edward stopped on his tracks and faced me. He was wearing a scowl - not a good sign.

“You made me miss my tennis practice just because you fainted? How weak and pathetic are you?!” he started screaming on my face and it made me flinched in fear.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to! I – I was really tired and my body can’t take the pressure!” I reasoned out as I tried to make him calm down but it just added more fuel to the fire.

He narrowed his eyes and I cringed. “Really? You’re tired? Tired of what? Being useless? Being a nerd?” he hissed through his gritted teeth.

I fought back the sting in my heart. “I – I’m really sorry Edward. I mean it. It won’t happen again,” I whispered. I could hear my voice getting smaller and smaller. My eyes were fixated on the ground because I was too afraid to even look at my stepbrother.

“It better be or else...!” He was about to hit me and I closed my eyes to get ready for the impact. Once again, it never came. I mentally sighed in relief. “You’re not even worth the time to be angry.”

He gave me one last glare before walking away.

I clutched my speeding heart while telling it to calm down. Good thing I wasn’t hit today.

I looked at the time and gasped when I realized it was already this late. I have to get to class if I wanted to see that someone who could relieve my stress and tension.

I opened the door of the room and all eyes looked at me once I stepped in. Mr. Lambourd, our Physics teacher, smiled at me.

“Are you feeling okay now Mr. Harrison?” he asked as he put down the book he was reading to the class.

I stared at him, dumbfounded. How did he even knew I wasn’t feeling well?

“Uh yes. I’m fine now thanks for asking,” I quickly answered.

I marched to my desk and I could still feel everyone’s eyes following my every move.

“Now that everyone’s present, I have some good news and bad news.” It made some students excited and some groaned in remorse. Mr. Lambourd just smiled. “Which one do you like first?”

“BAD NEWS!!” they all chorused.

“You have an upcoming big project for this class and its worth a hundred points if you brats do it well,” Mr. Lambourd announced making all of us, yes including me, sunk on our seats.

Another project? And here I was thinking I could finally take a break from all my duties. Guess it was still early to rest.

“What’s the good news then?” one of my classmates asked.

Mr. Lambourd only grinned at us. “You’ll be doing this project by pair.”

I felt my face blanched. Oh no, I have a bad feeling about this.

After closing the door of my locker, I proceeded to walk down the hall to get home. I felt so tired and I just wanted to sleep when I get back home but I still have my part-time job.

I kinda hate my life right now. Oh well. Nothing would happen if I remain here idle.

I was about to exit the building when a hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder. I stumbled because of the sudden action.

“Y-yes?!” I stammered out and gasped when I realized it was Matthias who did it.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked with his usual I-hate-you-so-much tone.

I directly stared at his face and I saw how beautiful those brown eyes were.

What the...?!

I cleared my throat and I finally answered him. “I – I’m going to work. In fact, I’m already late so,” I trailed off while gently pulling his hand away from my shoulders.

“Work?” he questioned and I tensed.

“Yes. I’m working at an ice cream parlor downtown,” I answered.

Matthias was still staring at me. “Skip your work.”

If only I could choke on my own spit, I would.

“Excuse me?”

Matthias glared at me. “Are you f*****g deaf? I said skip your work. Don’t tell me you already forgot that you’re my partner in this f*****g project.”

I gulped when I suddenly remembered. “Oh. Sorry.”

“As much as I hate being partnered with you, I don’t want to flunk this piece of s**t so better cooperate with me or I’ll kill you. I swear I will.”

Our shoulders bumped as he walked past me.

I stood there frozen and shocked.

“Hey, better move your ass! Don’t wait for me to come there and drag you away!” I heard him call out and I immediately ran to follow him.

We walked towards the parking lot. I don’t come here often because I use the public transplantation to go to school. My eyes roamed around and I could see different kinds of cars, from the oldies to the modern ones.

Matthias stopped beside a huge black motorcycle. It looked devilish and...dangerous.

“Don’t tell me we’re going to ride that thing?” I asked. I felt the cold sweat gathering around my forehead.

He only eyed me in amusement, pulled one of the helmets from the compartment and faced me. “Don’t be such a p***y. It’s only a motorcycle, it won’t kill you.”

“Yes it will! Do you know that by year two thousand seven, three thousand one hundred fifteen people already died because of motorcycle accidents and to be frank, I am not yet ready to die so if you please, can we just use the bus and...”

I saw Matthias rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah, I don’t need to know the statistics of the yearly accident of the ride I’m using.” He put the helmet on, or rather forced it on me.

“W-wait...! I really don’t want to ride that ...” I immediately stopped talking when he glared at me.

I sighed in defeat and climbed on what he called vehicle.

“Fine.”

After riding the motorcycle for the first time and feeling the cold air hitting my skin, we finally arrived at our destination.

I looked around and saw nothing but trees. Were we still in the city? This place looked abandoned and I couldn’t see a single soul.

Matthias parked his motorcycle beside one of the huge trees.

“Is it safe for you to leave it there?” I quietly asked him.

He put both of his hands inside the pockets of his coat. “It doesn’t matter. We own this place.”

I gasped in disbelief. “W-what?! Your family owns a forest?!”

Matthias gave me a bored look. “Yeah. Stop asking me already.”

“But...what are we doing here anyway?” I asked him again and he sighed.

“Because I live here smart-ass,” he answered in exasperation.

“What?! You live in a forest?!” Things such as tents, fire woods and bears immediately flooded my mind and I couldn’t imagine the Matthias living in a place like that! There’s just no way!

Matthias started walking and I was left there standing in awe.

“Hey hurry up! Or do you want to end up staying there the whole afternoon!” he shouted and I quickened my pace.

“Why do we have to walk anyway?” I asked and he groaned.

“Because my father hates it when I ride my motorcycle. He won’t let me have it inside our house. He’s such a bastard,” he mumbled and I smiled.

“I told you it’s dangerous. Your father even thinks so.”

Matthias rolled his eyes again. “Yeah, whatever. Why am I even saying this to you?”

I blushed. “S-sorry.”

At last! We finally arrived at their house! After walking for like thirty minutes, we arrived in front of a really Gothic gate. Oh my god, I think I dropped my jaw after seeing their house.

It wasn’t even a house, it’s a freakin’ castle! What the – ? Don’t tell me Matthias was some kind of prince or something!

“Is this your...house?!” I squeaked and he only looked at me with raised eyebrows.

“What’s wrong with it? It looks pretty normal to me,” he blatantly said.

Normal?! This was far from normal!!

“Don’t tell me you’re some kind of prince because if you are I would really freak out here!”

Matthias leaned towards my face and smirked. “So what if I am?”

I blushed at the sudden closeness and looked away from his irresistible face. “Stop fooling around!”

“Anyway, let’s go inside and finish this crap of a project,” he said as the gates automatically opened.

Matthias Blaise, you’re a guy full of mystery.

When we entered his house, I couldn’t help but to rub my eyes to wake up from this wonderful dream! I couldn’t believe I’m inside a castle! I could see grand chandeliers on the ceiling, Rococo furniture’s positioned perfectly in the room, high-end class windows, white marble tiles and, and, and...!

“Stop gawking. You look stupid.” Matthias woke me up from my trance.

I cleared my throat. “N-nice home,” was the only thing I can say. Really Earl, nice home?

“Of course.” He threw his coat on one of the sofa before climbing up the grand stairs leading of course to the second floor of this magnificent house.

Matthias looked back on me. “What are you waiting for? You’re such a slow-poke,” he teased.

I quickly nodded and ran up the stairs. My shoes were squeaking against the texture of the stairs.

When we arrived on the second floor, there were two opposite long corridors on the right and left side. Matthias took the left one and I followed him. I looked up the ceiling while marveling those shiny and golden chandeliers above. Really, how rich was he?!

We passed several white doors and we stopped in front of a double white door with end tables placed on each side. Wow, this place really looked like a castle.

“Your place is amazing,” I whispered.

Matthias only stayed silent. He opened the zipper of his bag and took a key from it. He unlocked the door and we entered the room.

He flicked the lights on and my eyes twinkled when I saw what was inside. My eyes focused at the large black bed with a red canopy hanging loosely on the bed posts. My eyes then landed on the fireplace at the end side of the room with picture frames on top of it. There was a sofa set in front of the fire place and a study table placed at the other side of the room with lots of bookshelves that almost surrounded the walls of the room.

I’m not aware that Matthias was a bookworm. He sure doesn’t look like it.

“Will you stop staring at everything?” he muttered.

“Sorry. It’s just that it’s my first time seeing a room like this.”

I neared Matthias who was taking his shoes off. He threw it across the room along with his bag.

“So...should we start?” I asked as I put down my things on the corner of the room. I took my shoes off, placing it beside my bag.

“Yeah,” he answered and walked towards his study table.

I took out my books and notebooks in my bag. Then suddenly, my cell phone rang and it made me jump a little.

When I saw who the caller was, I mentally panicked. Oh damn, Adam’s calling me! Must be because I skipped work today. What to do?

“Hey, answer that damn phone. It’s annoying,” Matthias demanded.

I pushed the call button. “H-hello...?” I whispered almost inaudibly.

“Where the hell are you Earl?!”

I flinched when I heard Adam’s voice ringing in my ear. “S-sorry Adam, it’s just that...I have a Physics project and um...I have to finish it and...I’m really sorry...I forgot to tell you...” I stuttered while feeling my heart beating fast.

I’m such an i***t. How could I forget all about my work? Boss would be so mad at me and maybe this time, he’ll fire me. If he does, I don’t know how I’ll pay my tuition fees.

“Geez Earl, you could just message me and tell that you’re not going to make it. How hard is it for you to do that man?”

I scowled at Adam. He’s lecturing me like I’m his little brother or something.

“I’m really sorry Adam. Can you do me a favor and tell Mr. Lee for me? I’ll make it up for you I promise,” I whispered as I turned my back against Matthias who was staring at me.

“You better be or I’ll kick your ass,” he said.

I gasped at his threat. “I will! I promise!” I assured him and he sighed in return.

“Good. Call me when you get back home. Bye.” He hung up the phone and I sighed in relief.

I smiled. Good grief, Adam’s like the boss of me. I guess he was the only person who cared about me. A little.

“Who was that?” Matthias asked and I faced him again.

“A friend,” I answered. Technically he’s my only friend. Wait. We don’t even hang out together so I guess he’s just an acquaintance.

“Didn’t know you have friends,” he muttered.

I pouted and raised a finger to object. “As a matter of fact,” I paused and made a face, “you are correct,” I said dejectedly.

Matthias only rolled his eyes. I walked towards him and seeing that there’s no more chair for me, I only stood there beside him like an i***t. “Uhm...so...”

Matthias groaned, stood up and pulled one of the chairs across the room. He put it behind me and gave me scary glare. “There your majesty,” he sarcastically said.

I gulped, “Sorry.”

“Whatever. Just sit the f**k down so we can start this shit.”

“Yes.”

Hours of researching, we finally finished the first part of our project. I stretched my already sore muscles.

“So tired,” I mumbled while rubbing my eyes.

“What time is it?” Matthias asked as he eyed the grandfather’s clock from the corner of the room. “Seven thirty. Guess she’s - ”

“MATTHIAS!”

I cringed after hearing a high-pitched shriek from beyond the door.

“Oh s**t,” Matthias muttered and quickly arranged the books and notebooks from his table. He ran towards his bed with a magazine in his hand and threw himself on top. He flipped the magazine open and started reading it.

What?

The doors suddenly opened and a young woman with a long brunette hair entered. She was wearing a skimpy dress and maids were following her from behind.

“Matthias!” she called out again. Matthias ignored her and instead turned the page of the magazine to continue reading.

“You are such a bastard!” She took the magazine away from Matthias’ hand.

“What the f**k woman?” he cursed and the lady just stood there. Her face was red with anger but she still looked undeniably beautiful.

“I told you to pick me up from my work and I waited there for three hours! Three hours you i***t!” She took one of the pillows and began hitting Matthias with it.

Who was she anyway? His girlfriend?

Matthias pulled the pillow away from her hand. “Stop hitting me you crazy old hag!”

“Who’re you calling old hag, huh?!” She now took the magazine Matthias was reading and she started hitting him again.

Maybe this was the right time to leave.

I stood up from where I was sitting. “Uhm...”

As soon as I spoke, Matthias and the woman looked at me.

“What the – ? Who is he?!” the woman asked and I nervously gulped.

“He’s nobody,” Matthias answered and I saw him looked away.

I felt my heart throbbed but I ignored it. “I’m sorry. I’m Earl Harrison. Matthias’ classmate. Nice to meet you,” I answered while I awkwardly smiling at her.

The lady only stared at me with both of her hands at the side of her hips. Then, she turned to face Matthias. “Matthias, you bastard! How could you use this poor innocent child to do your assignments?! YOU ARE SUCH A JERK!”

I blinked. “Huh...?”

She neared me and grabbed both of my hands. “I apologize for my brother Earl. He’s a scum, I know. Is he always doing this to you? Is he always ordering you to do his homework?!”

I looked at Matthias to mentally ask him to help me. I didn’t even know how to answer her!

“Oh for the love of...can you just leave us Marge?!” Matthias got up from his bed. “Don’t you have something more irrelevant to do?” he sarcastically asked.

Oh, so her name’s Marge.

“Shut up you big bully,” Marge hissed at Matthias.

I paled when I heard Matthias growling. “Get out, now!” He pushed Marge away from me and towards the door to let her out.

The maids behind Marge immediately followed her outside. When they were all out, Matthias shut the door tight and I heard the click of the lock.

“MATTHIAS YOU BASTARD! I SWEAR I’M GOING TO TELL DAD!!” I heard Marge stomped away while still cursing.

“Who is she?” I asked Matthias who was running his hand through his hair.

“She’s my f*****g sister. Damn it,” he answered. “Why is she here anyway? I thought she went to England or something...” He looked at me with his arms crossed on his chest. “Now that my damn sister is here, we can’t do the project here in my house anymore.”

“Eh? Is your sister really that horrible?” I asked in amusement and he only groaned.

“You have no idea. She’s crazy.”

I bit my lips. “Where should we continue our project?”

Matthias glared at me. “Duh. At your house of course, idiot.”

I blinked.

Now that’s not a good idea.