Falling for the nerd

Chapter nine - Shopping for new glasses

Alex's POV:

It's the weekend and I don't have to go to school for two days. Yesterday was a horrible day. At least Elle was with me most of the time. Now I have to search for new glasses. Not like I mind, but why did they do it? To be honest I like how Elle slapped Jasper. He deserved it. I can use my old glasses, but with them, I can't see very well. I had to tell my mom what happened because she never stopped asking questions. Let's say that she wasn't very happy with what she heard, but said that she will give me money for new ones. 

In the morning, I woke up and put on my old glasses. I looked at my phone and saw a message from Elle. She never texts me so early. It must be important. 

Come at 2 pm at home. I don't accept a no as an answer. 

I smiled to myself and replied.

Ok, no problem. I'll be there. 

I got ready and walked downstairs for breakfast. Mom has made eggs with bacon. I sat at the table and soon dad joined us. He looked at me and I gave him a smile. For some reason, he doesn't look very happy. Maybe something has happened.

- Dad, are you ok?

- Your mom told me what has happened yesterday.

- Can we not talk about this?

- You can't let this boy do whatever he wants. You need to do something. 

- And what I am supposed to do? He is untouchable. 

- What do you mean? - mom asked

- His parents are important sponsors for the school and no one can do anything to him or his friends. 

- This boy can't continue doing these things to you. 

- Don't worry about that. Elle slapped him twice. 

- What? - both of them said in sync

- What you heard, but because of that, she went to the principal's office. 

- Did she get in trouble? - mom asked

- No, she is fine. Elle has explained to the principal why she did it and he said why he can't do anything about this boy. Of course, Elle got mad about it and said that if he doesn't do something, she will. I don't want to be in Jasper's place. She might be nice, but like everyone, she can be bad. 

- Well, at least she did something. 

- This isn't her first time. Elle has told me that she has slapped Jasper before, but I forgot about what. 

- I think that the principal is the one who should do something, not your friend. 

- Can you drop it? I am not in the mood for that. 

- Ok, we won't talk about it. - dad said

- What will you do today? You can go out. It's sunny. 

- Actually, I will. Elle wants me at her house at 2 pm. I don't know for what. 

- Whatever it is, I am happy that you have a friend someone like her. I bet that she is a good girl. I only wonder when I will see her. 

- Not soon. 

- Why? If she is on your side, why don't you want us to see her? - dad asked

- Usually, no one comes here. I prefer it that way. 

- Honey, what's the point of having friends, if they don't know where do you live?

- I know where she lives. That's enough. 

- Look, I know that this is new for you, but you can't keep her away from here. 

- When I feel ready, I will invite her here, ok?

- It's up to you. 

Until the end of the breakfast, we didn't talk much. I know that they want to see her, but I don't feel ready to invite someone here. Especially a girl like her. I mean her house is like a mansion and mine is small. I know that she won't care, but I don't want her to think that I am poor or something. Elle already likes me and I am sure that she won't criticize me or my house, but I don't feel ready to do something like that. 

After my lunch, I got ready and went to Elle's house. I knocked on the door and Martha opened it. She smiled and let me in. 

- Elle is in her room. Do you want me to call her?

- No, thanks. Can I go to see her?

- Yeah, sure. She will be happy to see you. 

- Well, she was the one who told me to come. I have no idea what I am here. 

- I know, but I won't tell you. Now if you excuse me, I have work to do. 

I walked upstairs and knocked on Elle's room. She opened the door and let me in. Both of us sat on her bed and she looked at me with a smile. 

- I am glad that you came. 

- Can I know why?

- Because we are going to the mall today.

- Why?

- Don't you remember? I told you that I would buy you new glasses. 

- Look, I appreciate it, but I can't let you do this. 

- I don't care. Take this as an early birthday present. 

- But you don't know when it's my birthday. 

- Please, Alex. Let me do something for you. 

- I don't need it. 

- But you deserve it. You can't say no to your friend. - she said and made puppy eyes

- Fine. I guess that I won't win. 

- Yay! Thank you. - she said and hugged me

Elle took what she needed and both of us went to the mall. She said that I'll get new glasses today and that's the first shop to which we went. I have to admit that this place is huge. The place from where I usually get my glasses is two times smaller. There's a big choice. 

- Hello, can I help you? - one woman asked

- Hi, my friend broke his glasses and he needs new ones. 

- Ok, what type were is old ones?

I pulled from my pocket my old ones and showed them to the woman. Elle didn't tell me to take them, but I was smart and thought that we might need them. I guess that I was right. The woman looked at them and walked with us to the sector where they have glasses similar to mine. They have like one hundred pairs. How I am supposed to choose only one?

- Can he try some of them? - Elle asked

- Yes, just be careful to not drop them.

- No problem. Alex, what do you think about these? They look a lot like your old ones. Here, try them. 

Elle took a pair and gave them to me. I won't lie that they are nice, but not their price. They were with hundred dollars more than my last ones. I was about to remove them, but Elle stopped me and took a picture. I looked at her and she gave me a smile. 

- I'll take a picture of every pair, which you try. Then you can see which ones you like the best.

- If that will help. 

I never thought that buying glasses could be fun. Elle was taking pictures of every pair, which I tried. She also tried a couple of them, no matter that she can't see anything because her eyes are fine. She almost bumped into a wall, but luckily, I caught her on time. I removed the glasses from her and gave them to the woman. Well, not before she took a picture with them as well. 

So after more than thirty pictures and an hour and a half, I finally decide, which glasses I want to buy. I looked at Elle, who returned with a smile. I put them on again to check if they fit me.

- What do you think?

- I like them, but the question is do YOU like them? You will wear them, not me. I have my own at home. - she chuckled

- I like them. I think that I will buy these ones. 

- Great. Let me put them in a box. - the woman said

- Actually, can he wear them now? - Elle asked

- Yes, just let me remove the price tag. 

I get them off and gave them to the woman. She gave me a box coming with a napkin. I was about to pull out my money, but before I could do it, Elle pulled out her card and gave it to the woman. 

- Can I pay with a card? I don't have that much money in me now. 

- Yes, sure. Here, put your card. 

Elle put on her card and I, my new glasses. I own her a lot of money. She thanked the woman and we walked out. I looked at her and she gave me a smile. Seven hundred dollars. That's how much I need to give her. My parents won't be happy when they hear it. I wanted a cheaper pair, but these were really nice and Elle liked them as well. 

- Now you can delete all the pictures, which you took. 

- Why? I was thinking to keep them. We as a lot of fun today or at least me. 

- Me too, but you don't have to fill your memory with things like that. 

- Don't forget that I have a laptop as well. I can put them there. 

- Ok, it's up to you. What we will do now?

- How about we go for food. I want ice cream. 

- Why not? I am getting hungry as well. 

Both of us went for food. Elle ordered a vanilla ice cream for her and me some French fries. We were looking for a table when I saw my parents drinking coffee. What are they doing here? They didn't tell me that they will come. Well, I didn't think that we'll spend so much time at the store for glasses as well. Let's say that this is a coincidence. Moreover, I didn't know for what Elle wanted me to go to her house. 

I walked up to them and Elle followed me. 

- Mom, dad? What are you doing here?

- Hi honey. We are drinking coffee, obviously. What are you doing here?

- Would you mind if we join you? - Elle asked, which made me give her a look

- Um...

- Alex, if you don't feel comfortable, we can sit there. 

- No, it's fine, I guess. 

- Are you sure? I don't care where I will sit, but it better be soon or my ice cream will melt. - she chuckled

- Excuse me, but who are you? - mom asked

- Oh, I am Elle. Nice to meet you. 

- Finally, to meet you. So you are the girl for who Alex always talks. 

- I guess. - Elle smiled awkwardly

- Thanks mom, but now we have to go. 

- But why?

- We can sit here if you don't embarrass Alex, ok? - Elle said

- No problem. Now sit. I want to get to know you. - mom said

I took off my glasses for a moment, which made her immediately look at me. I return with a not understanding smile. 

- If there is a problem with the glasses, we can return them. - she said, which made me laugh

- I just got something in my eye. Don't worry, they are fine. 

- I'm just saying. 

- Hey, you got new glasses. They are really nice. - mom said

- Do you like them? - Elle asked

- Yes, they look a lot like his old ones. - dad said

- I am glad that you like them. 

- Which reminds me that I own your money. 

- I'll pretend that I didn't hear that. - Elle said and continued eating her ice cream

- Wait a minute! Did you let her buy them? - mom asked, looking at me

- He didn't do anything. This is a gift from me. 

- How much were they? - dad asked as well

- That doesn't matter. 

- Look, we appreciate that you and Alex are friends, but we can't let you pay so much money. 

- I wasn't going to do it if I didn't have the money. 

- Elle, we can't let you do this. 

- If you give me the money, I have to leave Alex. It's your choice. - she said, which made me look at her

How to leave me? I don't understand. I don't want her to leave. She is my friend and I really like her. I hope that she is not serious. 

- You are not serious, right? I don't want you to leave. 

- Tell this to your parents. This is my condition. You know that I can do it. 

I looked at my parents and gave them a hopeful smile. I guess that they understood, what I was trying to tell them since they didn't do anything. 

- Can we talk about something else now? - Elle asked

- Yeah, sure. 

- Can I get a French fry?

- Take them all. 

- No, I want only one. 

We talked for a while with my parents. I think that they liked Elle. She was very nice to them, the same way she is with me. That's why I liked her in the first place. Mom offered her to have dinner with us, but she denied and I think that it's because of me. I know that I should be more open, but it's not that easy. I am glad that she is patient with me. There is plenty of time for everything. When I feel ready, I will invite her for dinner. For now, I prefer things the way they are.