Falling for the nerd

Chapter one - My life

Elle's POV:

Hi, my name is Elle Baker. Both of my parents are businessmen. They found a better job at the other end of the town, which means that we had to move. This also means that I have to start from the beginning. My friends left me when I told them that I would move. I also had a boyfriend, but I broke up with him. I don't like to talk about that. I am the only child in our family. My parents take a lot of care of me, but they are very busy and most of the time I am having dinner with Martha, our housewife, and Andrew, our driver. It's not like I am complaining, but I wish that we could spend more time together. I won't lie that if they weren't working that hard, I wouldn't be where I am today. 

Today is my last day of the summer vacation. In the morning, I woke up and got dressed. I walked downstairs for breakfast, but there was no one. 

- Mom, dad?

- Hey, you woke up. Your parents went out for some work. - Martha said

- Nothing new. 

- I'm sorry honey. Do you want me to make your company?

- If you want to. 

Both of us sat at the kitchen table and she put a plate with pancakes in front of me. To be honest, I am not hungry at all, but I have to eat something. I looked up to see Martha looking at me with her crazy smile. A sign, which means that she wants something. 

- Can you tell me what do you want?

- Finally, you asked. Are you excited about the first day of school?

- Not really. 

- But why? You will meet new people and maybe find a boy. - she said smirking at me

- Said the woman, who is still single. 

- I am single because I haven't found the right man. You are young and you have to live your life. 

Martha may have passed her 30s, but she still acts like a teenager around me. Well, when my parents are not here. They don't like much the fact that she encourages me to do things, which are not very good. Like going to parties, staying late outside. Let's say that my parents care about me and don't want something bad to happen to me. On the other side, Martha wants me to have fun and live my life at full speed. I appreciate everything, but I don't think that I can do all the things, which people my age are doing. Yes, I have been to a party before, but it wasn't something special. 

I have to admit, no matter what it might sound weird, that Martha is my best friend. She listens to me and always gives me advice, except when it's a teen one. I mean she knows the real reason why my boyfriend and I broke up. I didn't tell my parents, because my dad wasn't going to like it and as much as I wanted my ex to get what he deserved, I don't want him dead. Let's say that I am something like daddy's girl. Sometimes I feel like a spoiled b*tch, because when my parents have promised me something and didn't keep it, they buy me a present as an apology gift. I appreciate it, but this can't replace the time, which we could spend together. 

- If you are so excited about my first day of school, you can go and pretend to be me. 

- I would love to do it, but my age is not the same as yours. - Martha chuckled

- Well, I can't help you with that. 

- Do you want us to go shopping? You need new clothes for school and me for my work. 

- Nothing personal, but you barely go outside. 

- That's not true. Someone has to buy food and this someone is me. People in the store need to look at me and I have to look good. 

- If you say so. 

- Ok, will you tell me what is going on? You are not in the mood since you woke up or maybe a whole week. 

- Do you think that this year will be different?

- You will meet new people and make new friends. It's already different. 

- But I don't want the same thing to happen. My friends left me when I moved out. 

- Sweetheart, don't think so much. You will find new people and maybe someone special, who will take your heart and who won't leave you. 

- But what if I leave him? I don't want that. I don't want to get attached to someone and then leave him.

- Stop thinking about all the bad things that could happen and grab your things. We are going to the mall. I'll get Andrew. 

I went into my room to get changed. When I was done, I laid on my bed. To be honest, I don't want to go anywhere, but Martha won't leave me in peace. I know that she wants to put me in good mood, but right now, I don't want to do anything. She knocked on my door and both of us walked to the car. 

- Where should I drive you today miss Baker? - Andrew asked me

- What did I tell you about using my last name?

- That I should never use it because you are not my boss. 

- Exactly. 

- Drive us to the mall baby. - Martha said happily

- I asked Elle, but ok. I hope that this time you won't fill the car with your things. 

- It's called fashion. You won't understand it. 

I have to say that Martha and Andrew are like dogs and cats. They argue a lot, but at the same time, they like each other. Sometimes they act like an old married couple. Don't tell them that I said it. Not like they don't know it, but both of them don't like when I say it. I think that I have spent more time with them, than with my parents. 

When we arrived, Martha grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. She is like a shopaholic. This woman loves to go shopping and always walks back home with two hands full of bags. I don't know should I laugh or be worried. Yes, my parents pay her enough, but still. I don't know what she is doing with so many clothes. It's not of my business anyway. 

- Which shop should we go to first? How about H&M?

- Ok, I'll let you decide. 

In the moment we walked into the store, my eyes landed on a white hoodie, which says "I am normal". I want this so bad. Martha came to me and gave me a look. 

- You know that you can't buy that. 

- But why?

- Your parents won't like it. 

I love my parents, but we have a rule about clothes. It is "If you want to be noticed, you have to dress well", which means that I have to wear more elegant clothes. I want to look like a normal kid, but I never had the chance. This is the only thing for which my parents are strict. They let me do everything else, which is not dangerous. 

- Why can't I dress like normal people? I don't want my clothes to scream look at me, I am rich.

- Elle, you know the rule. 

- Yes, mam. I will return it. 

- I didn’t say that. If you hide this from your parents, you can buy it. 

- And you won't tell my parents?

- My mouth is shut. 

- That's why I love you. 

- I know. I am made of gold. - Martha said, which made me laugh

After three long hours of shopping, we got back home. I had three bags and Martha... let's say double. I don't know why she always buys that many things. Her room is full. I am surprised that she still has a place to put everything. Later we ate lunch. My parents were still outside so I ate it again with Martha and Andrew. Then I went into my room for a movie and a little nap. 

When I woke up, it was already 7:00 pm, which means dinnertime. I quickly went downstairs to find the kitchen empty. I sighed and sat at the table. On one of the chairs, there was a box with a note.

We are sorry that we can't be with you tonight. - Mom and Dad

I felt tears in the corners of my eyes but wiped them before anyone could see them. I opened the box and saw a small gift card for 500 dollars. Money definitely can replace everything. Not like I won't use it, but I am tired of their gift excuse. I don't need material things. I have enough of them. I need my parents, but I guess that they are too busy to notice it. 

I got up and made myself eggs with bacon. Some people eat this for breakfast, but I eat it for dinner. Martha was sleeping and I didn't want to wake her up. Moreover, I am old enough to know how to cook, even if it's not something complicated. When my dinner was done, I went into the living room and played a movie. Not like I am in the mood for that, but I don't want to do anything else. I saw Andrew passing by and told him to sit with me. 

- Can I help you with something? - Andrew asked me

- Will you make me company? I am alone. 

- Yes, no problem. 

- Do you know when my parents will come home?

- No, I'm sorry. They didn't tell me anything. 

I'm not going to cry, I am not going to cry. I know that my parents love me, but I wish that they could show it too. It's not like I am begging for attention, but I won't lie that I want it. Not from everyone, only from my parents. Maybe if I find friends tomorrow, I can occupy myself and I like that I won't worry about them.

- Hey, weird question, but would you mind if I snuggle in you? - I asked looking at Andrew

- No, I won't. 

I snuggled in him, but it's not the same. With dad is different. This is one of our things. Well, was one of our things. We haven't done that in a while. He and mom are way too busy to spend some time with me. Maybe if I was a kid, I could get attention from them. 

- You miss your parents, don't you. 

- I do, but I can't do anything about it. I feel like since I grew up and learned to do things on my own, they left me. Not for real, but we don't spend so much time together as before. 

- Your parents are busy. 

- So busy that they don't have time for their only daughter. Yeah, I totally believe that. 

- Maybe if you talk with them and say how you feel, they will do something. 

- And you think that this will help? Because I don't. 

- Only time will show. 

Both of us continued watching the movie peacefully. Later Martha joined us with some chocolate cookies. I wanted to wait for my parents, but who knows when they will come home. Moreover, I have to go to school tomorrow so it'll be better if I don't stay up late. 

After the movie, I got up and looked at Martha and Andrew. 

- Ok, I am going to sleep. Please don't kill each other. Try to be nice. 

- You don't have to worry about us. Now go to sleep and have sweet dreams. - Martha said

- Yeah, to you too. 

With that, I left. I walked into my room and got ready for tomorrow. I put my outfit on one of the chairs in my room and in my backpack all the things, which I will need. When I was done, I went under the covers of my bed. I turned off my night lamp and fall asleep. I hope that tomorrow will be a good day. I am not in the mood for any drama or problems.