Falling for the nerd

Chapter thirteen - One awful PE class

Alex's POV:

I am glad that Elle came for dinner last night. At least that cheered her up a little. I know that her parents are busy with work, but they have to spend some time with their daughter. Yes, she is not a little kid, but this doesn't mean that she can do everything alone. She needs them. I think that if Elle spends more time at home with mom and dad this might make her feel better. I like how she ate the chocolate cake. Her eyes were sparkling as it was made of gold. This girl loves chocolate. 

I woke up and got ready for the day. When I was done, I went downstairs for breakfast. My parents were already at the table. I gave them a smile and sat down. 

- Someone is happy. Can we know why? - mom asked

- No reason. Just no one has ruined my day yet. 

- Why do you think that someone will do it? - dad asked

- Because I have to go to school today and we all know the people there. 

- Yes, but now you have Elle who is on your side. - mom said

- True, but still that doesn't stop them. 

- No one will ruin your day. By the way, there is still some chocolate cake from last night and if you want, you can come home with Elle after school. I am sure that she won't deny another piece. - mom laughed

- Definitely. I think that she fall in love with it. 

- Does she eat regularly? - dad asked

- Most of the time yes. Why?

- Because you mentioned it last night. That she has eaten almost nothing. 

- When Elle has a bad day usually she doesn't eat much. That's why I said it and that's why she was so hungry last night. 

- No, I don't care about how much she eats. I was just curious. 

- It's fine dad. She is not on a diet or something, but like every person, she likes to keep herself in a good shape. 

- Like every normal person. 

We talked for a while and then I walked to school. I don't know how people don't get tired of giving me looks every day when I walk in. I dress the same and talk with only one person. I don't know what they want from me. Luckily, thanks to Elle, I learned to ignore them and do not care. Before she came into my life, I thought that there was something wrong with me, but since she said the opposite, I started to feel a little bit better. 

I found Elle standing in front of her locker. I walked up to her and gave her a hug only to make all the people mad. Yes, I have a friend and I am happy about it. I don't care what they will say about that. I like her, she likes me and that's what matters. 

- How is my favorite friend?

- Alex, I am your only friend. - she chuckled

- But also my favorite. What are you doing?

- Nothing special. Just waiting for you to come so I don't have to be alone. 

- Well, I am here now. - I said and hugged her again

- Can I know what are you doing? I mean you have never done these things just like that, especially when there are people around. 

- So you are telling me that I can't hug my friend?

- No, I don't say that. I am just surprised. 

- First, today for some reason I am happy, and second, I want to annoy the people here. All the time they are giving me looks, so I want to show them that I don't care and that I have someone who is interested in me. This is you. 

- Interesting idea. For the first time, you are doing something right. 

- What do you mean?

- I have told you a long time ago that you should stop caring about what people say about you and focus on yourself. 

- I know, but this takes time, or at least to me. 

- It's ok. What matters is that you finally did it and I am so happy for you. - she said and kissed my cheek

- Um... what are you doing?

- I want to play that game too. Two people are better than one, right?

- Yes, but let's keep it to hugs only, ok?

- Well, I tried. Let's go now. I don't want to be late. 

Both of us walked to our first class. There weren't many people in the room. Elle and I sat to our places and she looked at me with a smile. Maybe I shouldn't start this so-called game. Now she won't leave me in peace. I would like it if she helps me, but I think that maybe she will get me in trouble. Some people here are already annoyed that she is on my side and that she is defending me every time. To be honest, I find this nice, but I guess that not everyone thinks the same. 

During the class, Elle passed me a note and I chuckled to myself when I read it. 

How often we'll play the game? To be honest I am ready for a full mode. 

Me too, but let's not force the things. I replied and gave it to her.

Let’s go slowly. I don't want too much attention on me. 

Elle read it and replied. 

It's up to you. 

Since the game is mine, I am the one who sets the rules and I don't want to get in trouble. I do it only to have fun for a while. Probably tomorrow I won't do it again. 

After our class, we walked out to get ready for the next one. We have PE and to be honest, I am not very excited about that. Usually, we play dodgeball and when there are enough people, no one picks me. I won't lie that this is better. I don't want to have a red face full of ball marks. 

- Alex, are you ready for the next class?

- Kind of. I don't like dodgeball. 

- Don't worry. I will be all the time with you. 

- If you are not on the other team. 

- Trust me. I have something in mind. 

I don't know should I be scared or glad. I know that Elle won't do anything to hurt me, but sometimes she needs to think more. Both of us walked into the gym and Maddie with her friends and Jasper with his gave us a look. Elle and I ignored them and sat on the benches. Soon the teacher came and said that we'll play dodgeball. How much I hate this. He counted us and said that we are even numbers, which means that all of us will play. He was about to say who will be the two captains when Elle got up and walked to him. 

- Can I be a captain today?

- Yeah, sure. Does someone else want to be a captain?

- I will be a captain. Get ready to lose. - Maddie said

- Ok girls, pick your teammates. 

- I want Alex. - Elle said, which made me look at her

So that is her plan. I don't know how this will end. I'm glad that we are in one team, but I am sure that the target will be me as always. With the exception that now, I have a defense. 

- I will take Jasper. 

Just like that, both Elle and Maddie picked their teammates. The teacher did head and tails of a coin to see who will have the ball. Luckily, it was our team. I know that Elle did it only because she wanted us in one team. I hope that she knows what she is doing. 

The game started and I have to admit that both of them are very good. I don't know was Elle angry or just wanted to win. Whatever it is, she is doing a great job. Soon left five people in each team and somehow I was one of them. I won't say how many times Elle saved me. When the ball came to her, she step aside and gave it to me. I looked at her and she smiled. 

- Throw it. 

- Me? You have to be kidding. You know that I won't hit anyone. 

- Alex, throw it. 

- But I...

- Throw it!

I took the ball and started thinking. How can I hit someone? I started to calculate all the possible moves of the players in the other team, which weren't a few. When I picked a strategy, I went to see the best angle from where I should throw it. 

- Will he throw it or not? - Maddie asked

- Um, Alex what are you doing? - Elle asked

- This. - I said and throw the ball, who hit one boy

- What? How did he do that? - Maddie asked visibly surprised

- There is something called Math. You won't understand it. - I said

- You calculated the moves, didn't you? - Elle asked looking at me with a smile

- Yes and how you can see it worked perfectly. 

- That's why I picked you. I need people with brains, not skills. 

I am happy that I did it, but Maddie and Jasper weren't. All the time when the ball was in their hands, they were throwing it at me. I don't know how Elle didn't get tired of saving me. Then they changed the strategy. Maddie eliminated Elle so I can be alone. There is no chance that I can catch it. I only hope that I will be alive until the end of the class. 

When Elle was out, they started throwing the ball at me. I think that both of them are trying to kill me. The ball went straight into my face. I don't know how my glasses didn't break. I sat next to Elle, who looked at me worried. One boy caught the ball and save it for Elle. She caught it and I was back in the game. The same thing repeated, but this time the ball hit me in the stomach. I have the luck that I didn't eat too much for breakfast. Before I could get up Jasper threw the ball one more time at me and I fall down. This is one awful PE class.

- Ok, that's it! I am stopping the game. - the teacher said

- Alex, are you ok? C'mon, I will take you to the nurse. 

Elle told the teacher where we are going and he let us. Both of us walked to the nurse's office and sat down. She looked at me and gave me a bag of ice. 

- What happened? - the nurse asked me

- Dodgeball. - I said

- Again? I should've known. 

- How again? Has this happened before? I don't understand what is their problem. - Elle said

- Dear girl, no one likes Alex here, especially Maddie and Jasper. 

- That's not true. I like Alex. A lot. I mean he is my friend. 

- Probably that's why they don't like you either. 

- Alex, I'm sorry. 

- It's not your fault. I am used to this. 

- But you shouldn't be. 

- This is not the first time when something like this happens. 

- Yes, but this is horrible. They can't do this to you. 

- It's not a big deal. Elle forgets it. 

- No. I won't let them do what they want to you. Can you give us a slip for going home?

- You know that this is not something serious? - the nurse said

- I also have bad stomach cramps, because it's that time of the month.

- I will do it only because I like Alex. This is the first and the last time when I will do this. The next time I won't do it. - the nurse said

- No problem. I just don't want them around Alex for the day. 

The nurse gave us a slip and Elle gave it to the principal. Later both of us walked home. I told her to sit on the couch in the living room. I walked into the kitchen and took out the chocolate cake from last night. When I put the plate with the piece in front of Elle, her eyes went wild. I chuckled to myself and sat down next to her. She looked at me with sad eyes full of guilt. What happened it's not her fault. I don't know how to say it more clearly. 

- Will you stop thinking about this?

- I don't like watching you like that. I don't want you to get hurt. 

- Elle, I am fine. Stop worrying about me and eat your cake. 

- Ok, I won't talk about it. 

- Thank you. 

Both of us continued eating the cake. When Elle was done with hers, she snuggled in me. I gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head, which made her smile. I know that she doesn't want me to suffer, but I am fine. This isn't something new. Later my parents came home and asked why we are here so early. I didn't want to tell them, but they looked at Elle and she had to tell them everything. I gave them a sad smile. They didn't say anything and walked to their room. Don't tell me that they are mad. 

- I think that they got mad. 

- Alex, they are your parents. They deserve to know what is going on with you. 

- I know, but I don't want them to worry about me. I am fine. 

I offered Elle to stay for dinner, but she said that she prefers to go home. I talked with my parents who luckily, understood me and said that they won't do anything. Problems in the last thing that I need. Like I don't have enough. I went to bed and decide to not think about this. I won't change these people so there is no need to think about what they are doing to me. If this is the only thing that makes them happy, ok. I have more important things to care about. One of them is my friend Elle.