Falling for the nerd

Chapter eleven - It's time to let her home

Alex's POV:

For the last two weeks, Elle and I have been outside almost every day. It turned out that it's not that bad. Luckily, we didn't meet people from school, but even if we did, I don't think that I was going to care. We were walking around the town, having fun and eating a lot of ice cream. Yes, Elle likes ice cream. I started to like it too. With her, I am experiencing so many new things. We became very close, but I still haven't let her at home. Maybe it's time for me to do it. She is not a bad girl and I think that she won't judge me or the way I live. Her house might be bigger, but I am sure that she will like mine as well. 

Now I am in my bed, thinking about all of this. Mom and dad will agree, but I don't know am I ready for that. I mean we won't do something different than the usual things. I just have never invited people here. This is my place where I can be alone. I don't feel ready to share it. 

I got ready and went downstairs for breakfast. I sat down and my parents looked at me. 

- Is there a problem?

- That's what we want to know. - mom said

- I don't understand. 

- You never get late for breakfast. - dad said

- I just wanted to lay a little bit in bed. I don't see anything wrong with that. 

- If you say so. 

I continued eating my food when in my mind came Elle again. Should I do it? I like her, she is my friend, but do I really want this? I appreciate that she is patient with me. If it was someone else, they probably would think that I am hiding something. She already met my parents so nothing else left. 

- Alex. Hey, Alex. - dad said

- Huh, what?

- Are you sure that everything is ok? You look a little bit distracted.

- I'm fine. I just have many things in my head.

- Is one of them called Elle? - mom asked, which made me look at her

- How do you know?

- Because I am your mom and she is the only one for who you talk about. Now tell us what is going on. Did she do something to you?

- No, she didn't do anything. 

- They why are you so worried?

- I don't know is it time to let her home. 

- You have the luck that she is patient with you. - dad said

- I know and I appreciate it. 

- I think that you have to let her here. She doesn't look like the type of girl who will judge you. Since she is spending so much time with you that means she likes you. - mom said

- So... to understand that you won't mind if Elle comes here. 

- Of course not. She is always welcome. 

- Thank you. 

- Now go or you're going to be late. 

With that, I walked out. On my way, I saw some people from school who as always gave me a look. I learned to not care that much. Elle was right for one thing. They want me to care because it's upsetting me. From now on, I won't let them get what they want. I will do the things for myself. I don't care will they like it or not. I know that Elle will. 

When I walked inside, I saw Elle by her locker. I walked up to her and smiled. She looked at me and gave me a hug. I don't care anymore will someone see us or not. I like the feeling of it. She pulled away, grabbed her things and both of us walked to our first class. The teacher came and told us our test results. I am not surprised that only Elle and I have A+. Sometimes we still study together, but mostly we prefer to spend the time doing something else. 

On our lunch break, we went to our place. Luckily, no one is having practice now and we can have peace. I am in good mood and I don't want someone to ruin it. Elle started eating and I looked at her. She returned with a smile like always. 

- What? I have something on my face or...?

- No, you are fine. 

- Ok, thanks.

- What will you do this afternoon?

- I don't know. For now, I don't have plans. Why? Do you have something in mind?

- I... I was going to ask if you...

- Yes? Is it something bad?

- No, I just don't know how to say it. 

- Then write it. If you can't say it, write it on a note or send me a message. 

- D-do you want to go home with me?

Elle looked at me surprised. Is it too soon or too late? I don't know. I have never done this before. 

- Are you sure? I don't mind waiting a little more or even if you don't let me I won't be mad. 

- I am. I have nothing to hide. 

- I didn't say that you have. - she laughed

- So what do you say?

- One big yes. I would love to see where you live. 

- But you have to know that my house is not that big as yours. 

- I know, but I don't care. Can I snuggle?

- Yeah, sure. Come here. 

Yes, I learned to not care. Moreover, we don't do something bad. Isn't this what all the friends are doing? We stayed like that for a while. For some reason every time it feels better or at least for me. I learn to do other things as well, which turned out to be completely normal. I don't want people to think that we are dating, because this is not true. Elle is my friend. That's it. 

After our last class, Elle and I started walking home. This time I was leading since she doesn't know where I live. I won't lie that I am nervous. I know that she won't say anything bad, but I can't stop it. Maybe she felt that because she linked her fingers with mine. That definitely doesn't make it better. Even worse. I didn't say anything and continued walking. Soon we arrived and I looked at her. 

- Are you ready? Probably you won't be impressed. 

- Don't worry about that. 

Both of us walked in. I looked at Elle to see a reaction, but there wasn't. Does she hate it? I knew it. That wasn't a good idea. My house is nothing compared to hers. It's small and full of things, which nobody uses anymore. Without realizing it, I received a hug.

- Will you stop being nervous? Your house is very nice. I like it. 

- Y-you do?

- Yes, I do. Now the main part. Where is the backyard? - she asked and I laughed

- It's there. Let's go, I will show you. 

In the moment we walked outside, she saw the swing and sat on it. Right now Elle is like a little kid. I have never seen someone so happy about a swing in a backyard. Moreover, hers is ten times better. Ours hasn’t been used for months. I don't even know why we have it. 

- Come here. I want you to sit with me. 

I sat next to her and she immediately snuggled. I wrapped my hand around her and kissed the top of her head. Now I am not that shy anymore. Moreover, I think that she kind of got addicted to that. I won't lie that it feels nice. We stayed like that for a while. I decide to get up or soon Elle will fall asleep. Not like I mind, but we better be inside. 

- Do you want to see my room?

- Yes, I would love to see your man cave. 

- Man cave?

- Don't all the boys call like that their rooms?

- I don't know about all, but I don't do it. 

- Oh, sorry then. 

- It's ok. Let's go now. 

Both of us walked upstairs, straight to my room. We walked in and her eyes landed on my bookshelf. It wasn't that big. I have not more than twenty books. Elle picked a book and started reading it. I got close to her and looked at the book in her hands. It is my favorite of all. 

- You have this book?

- Yes, why? It's my favorite. 

- I have read it at least five times. It's one of the best. 

- Well-written story. 

- I might start taking books from you when I am done with mine. - she chuckled

- Take how much you want. 

- I definitely will. 

- What do you want us to do?

- I don't know. Your house, your rules. 

- We don't have rules. 

- Can you tell me some backstories about all the things, which you have? Only if you want to. 

- Yeah sure. From where do you want me to start?

- How about this diploma? It's definitely not from the university. 

- No, it's not. I won it at one competition in fifth grade. 

- Probably it's very special for you. 

- It is, but not as much as this rubber bracelet. - I said and went to get it

- Boy power. Very funny. 

- One boy gave it to me in third grade. This is the only thing, which I have got from a friend. 

- That's not true. You have the glasses from me. - she said and I laughed

- Yeah, that too. I mean before you, this was my only thing. The others I have bought by myself or are gifts from my parents. 

- I have a lot of things from my parents as well. Most of them are apology gifts. 

- I'm sorry about that. 

- No, it's ok. I don't mind gifts. 

We talked about the things in my room for a while. Elle was appreciating everything, which I was telling her. I didn't expect her to be that interested. She was listening, asking questions, and laughing at some of the stories. Now I am calmer. Things are going great and she actually is enjoying it. Something from which I was afraid. I don't know how to entertain people, but with her was easy. 

- You have many memories. That's nice. 

- I am sure that you have too. 

- Kind of, but not all of them are good. 

- Don't you have nice memories with me? - I asked, trying to light up the mood

- With you are my best ones. - she said, which made me smile

- I am glad to hear it. 

- What we'll do now? 

- Do you want us to watch movies in bed?

- I... will love it. 

I grabbed my laptop and laid down next to Elle. She snuggled as always and I played the movie. No one was talking, but there wasn't this awkward silence like in the beginning. Now I feel better when she is around. I am not that shy and slowly I am starting to understand what girls want or basically what Elle wants. I am glad that she is not like the girls from school who only want attention and to make out. I don't like these things. 

I looked at Elle and saw that she was sleeping. I won't lie that she sleeps cute. There was a knock on the door and my mom came in. I told her to be quiet and she sat down. 

- How are you? I see that you finally did it. 

- I am fine or to say awesome. 

- I told you that she wouldn't care where you live. 

- She likes the house, especially my room. 

- But what she liked the most was the owner, right? - mom chuckled

- You wish. 

We saw Elle moving, which means that she is waking up. I looked at her with a smile, which she returned. 

- Good morning or to say evening. 

- To you too. I'm sorry that I fall asleep. 

- It's ok. I don't mind. 

- Oh, um... hello miss Adams. 

- Will you stay for dinner with us?

- Thanks, but I have to go home. My parents will wait for me. 

- I hope that one day you can stay. 

- I will don't worry. I have to go now. Alex, would you mind sending me to the front door?

- No, I gladly will do it. 

Both of us walked downstairs. Elle looked at me with a smile and gave me a hug. It's getting better and better. Don't tell her that I said that. 

- Thank you for today. I had fun. 

- Well, we can repeat it if you want. 

- If you don't mind. I would love to have another day like this one. 

- Me too. 

- Ok, I will go now. Bye Alex. 

- Bye Elle. 

With that, she left. I won't lie that I kind of wished that she could stay longer. At least I completed the first step. I know that I have to let her stay for dinner with my parents, but let's take it slowly. Maybe tomorrow we can come here again. It's not only she who liked the day. I love spending time with her and not only because she is my only friend. Elle treats me nice and I like that. Thank you Elle for everything, which you have done for me. I appreciate it.