Falling for the nerd

Chapter five - She looks normal

Alex's POV:

I don't know why Elle is so nice to me, but I like it. She is the only one who isn't against me and wants to help me. I know that I shouldn't cut her off, but I don't feel ready for that. Being shy won't help me with Jasper and everyone who is making fun of me, but I don't think that I can do something else. I feel like if I start defending myself, things will get worse. People like them know that I can't do anything and that's why they do more. I don't want this to continue, but I don't think that I can stop it. 

Now I am in school, waiting for Elle to come. If she doesn't come soon, I will go. I don't want to be late. Usually, she is on time, but maybe today something has happened. 

I was about to go when someone grabbed my hand. 

- I'm not late, am I?

- No, you are on time. Why do you look like you have been on a marathon?

- I woke up, but fall asleep again. Andrew offered to give me a ride, but I denied it and run up to her. - she said at one breath

- I understand. We better go now. 

Both of us went to class. I was paying attention, but I can't say the same about Elle. She is looking distracted. I don't know what is going on with her, but from the last two days she is here, but her mind isn't. I gladly would ask her, but it's not of my business. Moreover, if she wanted to, she should've shared it with me. I hope that the teachers won't notice that. Otherwise, she might be in trouble, and believe it or not, I don't want that. 

After class, Elle walked out before everyone else. I won't lie that she acts strange lately. I hope that this won't affect our lesson in the afternoon. I searched her, but she was nowhere around. I waited for her for our next class, but she didn't appear. When I walked into the classroom, she was already there. I sat down next to her and made her look at me. 

- Elle, are you ok? Lately, you are very distracted. 

- I am fine. Now shut up, because I want to concentrate. 

- The room is empty. We are the only people here. 

- I said something. 

I didn't say anything else and left her. Let's hope that she is ok. Soon the students and the teacher came and our next class started. Elle was the same. It won't be an easy day for her. I will try to help her. Well, if she let me. 

In the moment when our last class ended, Elle walked out, straight home. I walked to my mom, who was waiting for me. Today is my annual checking at the doctor. Not like I mind. I mean it's good for the doctor to check you. Moreover, that you can understand if there is anything wrong with you or if you have a problem. Luckily, I was fine. It took more than an hour, but my doctor said that everything is ok and that I am healthy. 

- I am glad that you are ok. - mom said

- Yeah, me too. We'll see him next year. 

- I hope so. Let's go home now. 

- Actually, I have a lesson with Elle again. 

- Do you want me to drive you?

- Thanks, but I prefer to walk. Walking is good for our health. - I said and mom laughed

- Ok, then. I'll see you for dinner. 

- Bye mom. 

- Bye honey. 

With that, I walked away. Elle's house is not that far away. After not more than thirty minutes of walking, I arrived. I knocked on the door and Andrew opened it. I smiled and he let me in. Every time when I walk here, I get amazed. This house is really pretty and big. Martha came as well and greeted me as usual. 

- Hey Alex. How are you?

- I am fine, thanks. Is Elle here?

- Yes, she is in the backyard. Come with me. 

I walked with her until I saw Elle. She looks different. I mean in school she doesn’t dress like that. Elle was in a t-shirt, shorts, her hair was up and she is wearing glasses. She was on the swing, reading a book. I don't know why she doesn't dress like that in school. I like this version of her more. It represents her real self. Something that I think she wants no one to see. 

I kept looking at her when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Martha. 

- You like her, don't you? - she asked me smiling

- She looks normal. I mean in school she doesn't dress like that. 

- And she never will. Elle dresses like that only when she is at home and there is no one else, except Andrew, her parents, and me. 

- But why? She looks nice that way. I don't see anything wrong. 

- It's not about is it wrong or not. You better ask her about these things. I have work to do, so good luck to her. - she winked at me and left

I won't lie that I like this woman. She is nice and acts like a teenager. 

I slowly walked to Elle, but she didn't notice me. I never thought that I will see someone else so concentrated on a book. I thought that I am the only one who is doing it. I watched her for a while before she realized that there is a person in front of her. 

- Alex? What are you doing here?

- We have a lesson today. You forgot, didn't you?

- I'm so sorry. Let me get changed and I'll be back. 

- You don't have to do this. I mean you look fine in these clothes. 

- Thanks, but you are not supposed to see me in clothes like these. 

- Why? I like them. They look good on you. 

- We have a rule here. Actually, this is the only one. It says "If you want to be noticed, you have to dress well". 

- Shouldn't people know the real you, not be interested in the way you dress. 

- Say this to mom and dad. I don't mind it. It's important to look good, but if I have to be honest I want to look like you or at least to dress more comfortably and to don't care much will people notice me or not. 

- I think that you will look fine, no matter what clothes you are wearing. 

- Thanks, Alex. You always know what to say. - she said and nodded her head down

- Elle, is there something else?

- Nothing. It's just... I haven't seen my parents in three days and...

- Don't they live with you?

- They do, but in the morning they go out early before I even get up and come back late when I am already in bed. They are busy people. 

- I am sorry about that. Maybe you should tell them how you feel. 

- I don't think that this will change anything. Anyways, let's study now. We lost a lot of time. 

We are studying already for an hour and Elle looks more concentrated. I was going slowly, not wanting to pressure her. Again, Elle was taking notes on every word, which I say. I think that she will pass her test. I see that she really wants to have a good grade and I believe that this will happen. To be honest I like helping her. For the first time, I am around a person, who is not making fun of me or annoying me. 

Later we took a small break and Elle walked inside for something. She came back with her eyes little bit red. Was she crying? I looked at her and she gave me a smile. I returned it and lifted her chin to make her look at me. It was breaking my heart watching her like that and I gave her a hug. I felt a couple of tears at the back of my shirt. When we pulled away, I carefully wiped them. I don't know what else to do. With her, I am doing all the things, which I have never done. I don't know how to comfort a girl, or how to act around one. This is complicated. 

- Alex, what are you thinking about?

- Nothing. It's not important. 

- You know that you can tell me everything. I won't tell anyone. 

- I want to help you, but I don't know how. 

- But you are helping me. I told you that you are a great teacher. 

- No, I meant with the fact that you are sad. I want to make you feel better. 

- Well, if you want after our lesson, you can watch a movie with me. 

- Thanks, I would love that. 

We continued studying for two more hours. We took another five lessons. I think that after a day or two she will be ready for the test. Elle has been studying a lot and I am sure that she will get what she wants. I put my things in my backpack and followed her to the living room. I sat down on the couch and she went to the kitchen for some food. Elle came back with popcorn and water. 

- What are we watching? - I asked

- Whatever you say. 

- Ok, then. 

I told her my favorite movie and it turned out that he has watched it three times already. I guess it's not only me who has watched it more than once. During the movie, Elle was giving me looks like she wanted to say or ask something. 

- Do you want to tell me something?

- Actually, I want to ask you something. 

- Ok, go on. 

- Can I snuggle? I know that you haven't done it, but I really need this. If you don't like it, I will never do it again. 

- Um... yeah, why not?

- Really? You won't mind?

- No, but to be honest I don't know what this means or what I have to do. 

- Leave this to me. 

Elle lifted one of my hands, wrapped it around her, and laid her head on my chest. 

- This is snuggling. 

- And what do I have to do now?

- Nothing. Just don't move. I mean to don't get up. You don't need to do anything else. If you don't like it, tell me and I'll get up. 

- No, it's fine. 

- Ok, thank you. 

- If you don't mind me asking you, why did you say that you need it?

- Usually, when I am not in the mood or there is a problem, I snuggle in dad, but lately, I don't have this opportunity. I have tried it with Andrew, but it's not the same. I do this since little and with dad is always the best. I am not saying that you are bad at this, but... 

- Don't worry, I understand. 

We stayed like that for a while. To be honest this is not that bad. Actually, it feels nice. I think that with her, I will experience everything, that I haven't done. At the end of the movie I was about to get up, but I saw that Elle was sleeping. I tried to move, but she has one of her hands around my waist. I tried to move again, but I heard a voice. 

- You better don't do that. 

I turned around to see a man. This probably is her father. I hope that I am not in trouble. 

- I...

- Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. I am saying this from experience. If you move, you will wake her up and she won't like it. 

- But I have to go home. 

- You can stay here if you want. I have to tell you that sometimes Elle won't talk or tell you what is the problem and still will be doing this. You can ask her, but she won't tell you every time. Don't pressure her and leave it like that. Sometimes the silence is better. She doesn't always need a talk. Most of the time, she wants someone to be here. Lately, I don't have much time for that I am glad that she has found someone for that. 

I feel bad for her. I never thought that a girl like Elle can feel lonely. I mean I know what is it like from personal experience, but I didn't know that she feels the same. 

- Thank you for the advice. I hope that I am good at this. I have never done it and to be honest, I don't know what to do. 

- So you are Alex. Elle has told me that you are a little bit shy. 

- Little bit is not enough. - I smiled awkwardly

- You don't have to do anything, but just to be around her. 

- I will try. I haven't been around people for a while and I hope that I won't disappoint her. 

- You won't. With that, you have won the lottery. It's one of the things, which she loves. 

- Ok, boys dinner is ready. Alex, you will stay for dinner, right? - Elle's mom said

- Thank you, but I have to go home. My parents will be waiting for me. 

- It's only for today. Moreover, I think that Elle will like it. Won't you do it for her?

How can I say no? I don't think that my parents will mind. 

- Fine, but only this time. 

- Awesome. Will you wake up Elle? We'll wait for you in the kitchen. 

- Yes, sure. 

I looked at Elle, who was still sleeping. To be honest she sleeps cute. I called her name quietly, but I think that she didn't hear me. I shook her slowly and I saw her waking up. 

- Good evening. Dinner is ready. Your parents are waiting for us in the kitchen. 

- Wait, you are staying for dinner?

- Yes. Is there a problem?

- No, just you are always denying when I ask you. What changed your mind this time?

- Your dad. He was really nice to me. 

- I am glad that you two understand each other. Let's go now. 

Both of us walked into the kitchen. I texted my mom to tell her that I won't be home soon. She didn't say anything else, except that she is happy for me. 

Until the end of the night Elle, her parents, and I were talking. They are very nice and I think that they liked me. Something for which I am glad and to be honest I feel good to be around them. I mean Elle is a great girl and I like that she treats me differently. Later I walked home and explained to my parents what I have done. Both of them were happy for me and that I finally have found a friend. I hope that I won't lose her. I like Elle and I think that we understand each other very well.