Falling for the nerd

Chapter fourteen - He used to train

Elle's POV:

Another weekend has come, which means that I can rest. Also, I have to return to Alex the book, which he gave me. I think that we can go out this afternoon. It wasn't a very easy week for him. I mean at the beginning it was, but what Maddie and Jasper did to him in PE class two days ago wasn't that nice. I hate that no one is doing anything against them. What they did wasn't good at all. I guess that some people won't change. Now Alex has me and I won't let this happen again. Well, I say this all the time and they somehow are still doing bad things to him. 

It was almost lunchtime and I walked into the kitchen to see Martha cooking. I don't know what we'll eat, but it smells delicious. I sat at the table and soon Andrew came. 

- Hey Elle, how are you?

- I'm fine, thanks. I wonder what she is cooking. 

- It better be good. 

- Don't worry, it is. Here, now eat. - Martha said and put a plate in front of Andrew and me

I have no idea what this is called, but it's really good. It's like you are eating a cloud. I ate everything and even asked her to put some more. Yes, I am hungry, because I skipped breakfast today. 

- Elle, what will you do today? - Martha asked me

- I don't know. I have to give back Alex one book and later I was thinking to go out with him. 

- I will go shopping. I don't have anything new. - she said and Andrew laughed

- Why are you laughing? - I asked

- She needs new clothes to go to the grocery store. Like someone will care how she is dressed.

- Actually, there are people who are checking me out. 

- Then why you are single? Ask someone on a date.

- Things don't work like that. Not like you have from where to know it. Since you are still single. 

- For your information, relationships are not my priority. This is not the most important thing for me. 

- Can you two stop arguing about stupid things? - I asked and both of them looked at me

- What do you mean? - Martha asked 

- You two always argue about things, which doesn't matter that much. Not like it's not funny, but you are like the dogs and cats. 

- Well, if I am that annoying just say it. 

- I am not saying that. I only wonder why you two can't understand each other. It can't be that hard. 

No one said anything. I am not complaining about anything, but sometimes I get tired of listening to the same arguments over and over again. I don't think that they will ever be friends. If I have to be honest, they are not that different from each other. If they sit and talk, they will get surprised by how many things in common they have. 

After lunch, I went into my room to take a shower. Today I am in good mood and I will dress a little bit better. I quickly dried my hair and went to my wardrobe. I picked some black ripped jeans, a white tank top, which says "I hate myself, but I love you" and some sneakers. I put my hair into a ponytail and put on some body spray. Usually, I don't like to put make-up on, but how I said I feel god today so the little bit won't do any harm. All I did was to put some cherry chapstick and foundation. I am trying to not use it because my skin is not that bad that I have to hide it. I have seen people with so many pimples that I don't know how this is not bothering them. In their place, I was going to see a doctor. 

When I was done, I grabbed Alex's book and walked out. I went to his house and knocked on the door. His mom opened it and let me in. 

- Look at you. Elle, you are so pretty. 

- Thank you miss Adams. Is Alex here? I need to give him back his book. 

- Yes, he must be in his room. 

- Thanks. I will go. - I said and walked upstairs

I knocked on the door and after the "come in", I walked inside. I think that this is the first time when I am seeing him shirtless. His hair is wet so probably just walked out of the bathroom. 

- Mom, whatever it is, leave it at the desk. 

- It's not your mom. - I said and he turned around

- Elle?

I couldn't believe my eyes. Alex has abs. Can you believe that? I don't know who feels more awkward. Him for being shirtless in front of me or me for never knowing that he has trained. 

- I came to give you back the book. I really liked it. 

- Um... thanks. 

- I will wait for you downstairs. - I said and left

I don't understand why he is hiding. With this, he definitely will get the attention of the girls in school. More and more I am realizing that a nerd is actually not a nerd, but full of surprises. I wonder what else he hides. Now I want to know everything. Why didn't he tell me? I won't tell anyone. Maybe he is not proud of this. Who knows?

I walked downstairs and saw his mom in the kitchen. Maybe she can tell me more about this. 

- Hey miss Adams, can I ask you something?

- Sure, you can ask whatever you want. - she said and at this moment mister Adams came as well

- Hello girls. 

- Hi, mister Adams. 

- So what do you want to ask? - miss Adams reminded me

- Is Alex training?

- What? Why are you asking?

- Well, when I went to return his book, he was out of the shower and half-dressed. 

- He used to when he was little. I mean around two years ago. Then he stopped. 

- Ok, but why he is hiding? He didn't look very pleased that I have found out his little secret. 

- To be honest, I don't even know. He never told me. 

- I think that he doesn't want to get the attention. - Alex's dad said

- Yeah, that's possible. I just don't think that there is anything wrong with that. Moreover, I am his friend. He could tell at least me. I wouldn't tell anyone. 

- It's his decision after all. I can't tell him what to do. - miss Adams said

With that, Alex came straight to us. His cheeks were light pink. Yeah, this wasn't a good idea. I mean if he has told me, now he wasn't going to feel awkward. I looked at him, but he didn't look back. Did he get mad at me? It's not a crime to see the shirtless boy. In my last school, I have seen many. They wanted to show the girls their abs and muscles. The principal has told them million times to not go shirtless around the school, but no one cared. Then he gave up. 

Alex took something from the fringe and walked away. I wanted to go after him, but I don't know how he will take it. I don't want to pressure him, but I feel bad. After all, I decide to follow him. I found him in the backyard, drinking water. I sat next to him without saying anything. No words are needed. Alex didn't look at me. Is he really mad at me? I kept looking at him, hoping that he will do the same, but no. 

- Alex, are you mad at me?

He didn't answer. This won't be easy. 

- Look, I am sorry. I think that you shouldn't hide. As I have told you million times, there is nothing wrong with you. 

Nothing. Neither a single word. I felt tears in the corners of my eyes but wiped them before he could see them. I don't know what did I do. I don't want him to be mad at me. 

- Alex, I am sorry. Please say something. - I said and put my head on his shoulder

He wrapped his hand around me and kissed the top of my head. I snuggled and he pulled me for a hug. Alex is very important to me and I don't want to lose him, because of some stupid argument or something like that. 

- It's ok. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I wanted a real friend, not someone who will be with me only because I look good. 

- I understand you and want to say that with that or not I will like you the way you are. Just because you look a bit better doesn't mean that I will look at you differently, ok?

- Yes and thank you. 

- Do you want us to go out today or do you want to stay at home?

- Can we stay here? I'm not in the mood to go out. 

- Sure, no problem. We can watch a movie if you want to.

- Why not? Let's go upstairs. 

Both of us walked into his room. Alex grabbed his laptop and laid down next to me. I know that this is making him feel uncomfortable, but he doesn't have to hide from me. I won't tell anyone about this. Not like they will care. I felt that he was a little bit nervous. 

- You know that you don't have to hide from me. I won't tell anyone, neither judge you. 

Alex didn't say anything and nodded his head. I lifted it and made him look at me. I gave him a smile and kissed his cheek. I know that I said that I won't do it, but if I have to be honest I like it. Maybe I am starting to like Alex. No, that's impossible. He is my friend. It took him so much time to be the person he is now. I don't want to make him get shy again. I like the shy Alex, but I want him to be more open, or at least with me. 

- You said that you won't do this again. 

- And you said that you will trust me and won't be shy around me. 

- That's different. 

- And how exactly? Alex, I don't want to hurt you. I just don't want you to feel awkward around me. 

- I am not. Just... there are some things, which are better if you don't know. I don't want you to think about me differently or to change your opinion about me. 

- No matter what you are doing, I will always like you. Alex, you are not a bad person and no matter what you have done that won't change the way I look at you. 

Why does he always think so low of himself? I like him and his personality. Alex is a great person and friend. I don't know what to do to show it to him. I didn't say anything and just snuggled. I put my head on his chest and wrapped my hand around his waist. He looked at me but didn't say anything. I felt tears in my eyes but blinked a couple of times to make them go away. I hate when he is sad. 

- Elle, are you ok? You are very quiet.

- Yes, I am fine. I was just thinking about something. That's it. 

- Look, I'm sorry if I have disappointed you. 

- You didn't. I just don't like when you think so low of yourself. You are not a bad person. You just have low self-esteem.

- Up to now, no one except my parents has liked me and it's kind of hard to believe that this finally is happening. 

- But it's true. I am here and there is no way that I will leave you. This is the type of friend for which I am looking. 

- Thank you for being here. I appreciate it. - he said and gave me a hug

- For you always. Why do you hide? I am sure that the girls will go after you when they see how you look. I mean look at you. - I said chuckling

- Because I don't want people to be around me only because of my body. I want to have real friends just like you. That's why I didn't tell you as well. I thought that you might start looking at me differently. 

- I understand you, but you have to know that nothing will change the way I am looking at you. 

- I am glad to hear it. 

Until the end of the day, Alex and I watched movies in his house and talked. I won't lie that there is part of me, which is still surprised from what I saw today. This is a different side of him, but it won't change anything. We always will be friends. Right? I don't want to fall for him. Maybe Martha was right to ask me a million times what is going on between us. I think that this is what I needed to understand. What I feel about him. No, no, he is my friend. That's it, but I am not sure.