The shy's girl crush

Chapter two - The popular boy

Dylan's POV:

Hello, I am Dylan Myers. I define myself as a typical teenage boy. For some reason, people in school treat me like a popular boy. I don't see myself different than the others. Also, I don't play in any team. Well, the girls are still walking after me. I have to be careful with who I talk. Once, I did it with a girl. It didn't end well. Let's say that a couple of girls warned her to stay away from me. It was Christina and her girls. This girl doesn't date anyone. At the same time, she doesn't like when the ordinary girls in school talk to me. I mean, the not-popular ones. I don't know what is wrong with her. No one owns me. Probably that's why I am single. It's not like I have been searching for a girlfriend. It's not necessary to be dating in high school. I prefer to spend time with my best friend, Jackson. He understands me well. Jackson is almost in the same situation with girls as me. The difference is that they don't walk after him. Maybe these girls have never seen a blonde boy with blue eyes. I know many actors with the same color of hair and eyes. It's not a lie that I have thought of dying my hair. Let's say that I was hoping this would make them go away. I swear they like me only because of the way I look. I'm not saying it's wrong, but I wish they knew me better. Well, I can't spend time with everyone. Also, I don't want to do it. Probably I want too much. There is only one girl that is a bit different than the rest. That is Loren Thompson. She is the top student in the class. Christina is calling her Loren The Nerd. I think it's mean. There is nothing wrong with studying. The thing is that whenever I talk with her, she starts blushing and getting nervous. Technically, she is like that with everyone except her best friend Alice and the boys from the mystery club. I hope that with time, she won't be so shy.

Today is another school day, which I have to attend. It's not like I mind, but school is not my favorite place to go to. The good thing is that I can see my friends. Well, I am with Jackson all the time. He is like my brother. That's why he always stays at home for dinner, or I do it at his house. Our parents don't mind us. It's good to have someone to talk to about everything. We are not like the girls, but we do like gossip from time to time. Mostly it is about girls.

Now I am waiting for Jackson in front of the classroom. I wish all of our classes were together. Well, I can't have everything I want. At least I'm not all the time with Christina. I don't mind her, but sometimes she is annoying. I don't care about dresses and make-up. I guess that she doesn't have with who to talk about this. Soon, Jackson came out, and we walked to our lockers. They are close to each other. I looked up to see Loren and Alice. I don't think they ever separate.

- You are staring.

- Huh?

- You are staring at Loren. Do you like her?

- No. You know I can't talk with any girl more than the others.

- Yes, in school. No one knows what you are doing outside.

- I did talk with her a couple of days ago. She was nervous.

- Isn't she like that all the time?

- I don't know.

- After all, you are the popular boy who looks good.

- Honestly, I don't feel this way.

- It's not about you. It's the girls.

- I know.

- Since you have talked with Loren, did you check her out? - Jackson asked, chuckling

- I won't do this with any girl.

- Come on. Spill the tea.

- Ok, ok.

- Finally.

- I like her freckles. - I whispered

- Only that.

- Hey, every girl is pretty. I'm not allowed to say much here.

- Ok, then. We'll talk at home.

On the lunch break, Jackson and I went to a small table. I wanted to be only with him. Christina never eats without her girls, so this is perfect. Soon I saw Loren and Alice searching for a table. I will gladly let them sit with us, but I don't know after that what will happen. I don't want them to have problems.

- Should we invite them here?

- I want to, but I don't know what will happen.

- I don't care. Hey, girls. Do you want to sit with us?

- Yeah, sure. Thank you. - Alice said, and both Loren and I sat down

- How are you today?

- I am fine.

- Loren, are you ok? - I asked

- Y-yes. I-I'm fine.

- Your cheeks are red again.

- Don't worry. She is like that all the time. It's called shyness.

- You don't look like her.

- I am shy too, but not that often. Let's say that I have to keep her back from Christina.

- She can make some comments sometimes.

- You mean all the time.

- Yes.

- I don't know what her problem is. My ginger friend didn't do anything to her.

- Ginger friend?

- She has ginger hair, of which I am jealous.

- Why? - I asked

- Because it's perfect. Look at her.

- Loren, you are very quiet.

- I-I have nothing to say.

- It's only us. You can calm down.

- Dylan, that won't help. I have talked with her many times. She has to help herself.

- Maybe, but I feel bad for her.

- Really? - Loren asked and slightly lifted her head

- Yes. Also, you have to be more open.

- I can try.

- I'm glad to hear that.

After school, Jackson and I walked home. We started with our homework. My best friend wanted to play video games, but I told him this could wait. It took us two hours. Probably Loren does it faster. Well, we are not that good students. I am trying to have good grades, but sometimes I fail. At least my parents don't bother me about that.

- Video games time.

- Ok, ok. We won't play much.

- Why?

- Because I don't want to stay inside all day.

- You can go and visit Loren.

- No, thanks. She is already shy enough. I don't want to stress her more.

- This girl is weird.

- Hey, that wasn't nice.

- Look at her. I'm sorry, but she barely talks with people.

- Some people need time to adjust.

- Man, we are in eleventh grade. How much time does she need?

- Now you sound like Christina.

- Don't compare me with her. She is the devil.

- There is nothing wrong with Loren.

- You like her, don't you?

- I have already answered you.

- Why do you defend her so much?

- Christina is already mean to her. Look, you start doing it is not something I want you to do.

- Ok, fine. I won't talk about her.

- Good.

Jackson and I played video games for almost two hours. Let's say that we got caught up in them. Later, we walked out. My friend wanted new sneakers, so we went to the Nike store. According to him, there is no better brand. I won't be so sure. My shoes are from Adidas, and I like them a lot. I guess it depends on preferences. He tried three different types of shoes. That was until he saw the perfect one, whatever that meant.

- Will you buy them?

- If they fit me, yes.

- Let's find out.

- Excuse me, do you have more sizes of this?

- It depends on your size. Let me check. - a man said

- Great.

Luckily, Jackson bought the shoes. Sometimes, he can be very indecisive. He spends a lot of time thinking about what to buy. That's why I don't go shopping with him so often. I have to say that this time, he was fast. Later, we walked around a park. I saw a little girl playing with her dog. When I was little, my parents played with me.

- Hey, isn't this Alice? - I asked

- Yes, it's her.

- Do you want us to go?

- Yeah, why not. We are not in school anymore. - Jackson said as we walked up to her

- Hey, Alice. - I said

- Oh, hey, boys. What are you doing here?

- I went for shoes.

- Good for you.

- Where is Loren? - I asked

- At home.

- I thought you two were always together.

- When it comes to going out, she is stubborn.

- Can I ask you something?

- Yeah, sure. - Alice said, excited

- What is wrong with your best friend?

- Jackson! - I said

- What?

- What do you mean?

- She looks way too shy. Maybe she doesn't know how to communicate with people.

- Loren is not that bad. Not everyone is carefree around people. It takes her time to get comfortable.

- Alice, we are in eleventh grade.

- So? The fact that Christina and her minions are going after her is enough. Please don't do it too.

- I'm not. It was a question.

- I'm trying to talk with her about that. Well, it's not easy. She has her things to deal with right now.

- It's ok. Don't pressure Loren. After all, she studies all the time. - I said

- That is true. My best friend barely gets away from the books. If she is not studying, she reads something.

- You are the same. - Jackson said

- As you can see, I am here.

- If you want, we can leave you.

- No need to do it. I won't deny some company. Well, if you like hanging out with nerds.

- You, Loren, or anyone else is not a nerd. I like people who study a lot. - I said

- If you manage to get Loren out of the house even for ten minutes, I will give you ten dollars.

- Thanks, but I don't think I can. Also, if I decide to do that, it won't be because of a bet.

- To explain. That's because Dylan wants to date Loren. - Jackson said

- What? Really?

- No. Man, we talked about this. I am not dating anyone for reasons.

- I'm not the one who should tell you this, but if you like a girl, tell her. After all, they walk behind you all the time. - Alice said

- Thanks, but I'm not interested in anyone. It's not like I can talk with girls at school.

- No one said you have to do it there.

- I know.

Jackson and I talked with Alice for a while. I noticed that they understood each other well. I saw her blushing, but it was not as deep as Loren's. You didn't hear it from me, but when Loren is nervous, she is cute. Maybe I need to spend more time with her. The thing is that she doesn't go out often. As Alice said, it's hard to take her out. I left my friend with her and walked home. My parents were already there. I walked into the kitchen to see mom cooking.

- Hey, mom. Do you need help?

- Thanks, honey, but no. I keep everything under control.

- Especially the boiling water.

- WHAT?

- I think you need to turn it off.

- Thank you. It's good to have you here.

- You're welcome.

- Hey, boy. How was your day?

- It was good. I didn't do much.

- Stressed from school?

- No, dad. We do the same things every day.

- You need good grades for your diploma next year.

- I know. You don't have to remind me.

- I'm only saying. You don't need to stress much. What was it called? Take a chill pill.

- Take a what?

- Don't people your age talk like that?

- I have never heard this phrase.

- Now you did. - dad said, chuckling

- I probably won't use it.

- Your friends might like it.

- We'll see.

I helped mom to set the table. Dad was already waiting for the food. When mom is busy, he is the one who takes care of the dinner. I have to say that both of them are doing a great job. Of course, I am helping with what I can. For now, my job is to study. When I find a real one, I will feel the experience. Let's say that I have enough time for that.

- I'm surprised that Jackson is not here. - mom said

- Well, he has other things to do. We can't be together all the time.

- Isn't this why you two are friends? - she asked, chuckling

- I'll see him tomorrow in school.

- Why do I have the feeling he was with a girl today? Is this why you are alone?

- No, he wasn't. We were together the whole afternoon.

- Ok. Maybe I am wrong.

- Fine. We met a girl. She is in our classes. We are not friends with her if that is what you will ask.

- Two boys and one girl. Oh, boy. - dad said, chuckling

- Alice has a best friend, but she wasn't with her. Why are you so interested in my love life?

- Because we won't be your parents if we don't ask. Also, our job is to annoy you. - mom said

- Well, you are doing a great job.

- See?

- How about your love life? When was the last time you and dad did something together?

- Why do you think we go out every Saturday night? We have our things to do.

- I don't want to know.

- There is a nice restaurant in which we like to have dinner.

- Don't you get bored going to the same place?

- We are not there all the time.

- I don't need to know more.

- You and Jackson can do something together. You don't need to play video games all the time.

- We don't do only that.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am. We have plenty of things to do.

- Everything else except studying. - dad said

- I do study.

- True, but Jackson is not taking it that seriously.

- Let's be honest. He never takes anything seriously. Also, we have two years until we graduate. Why should we rush?

- Time flies fast. After a couple of years, you will wish to come back here.

- Why?

- Because it'll seem easier than now.

- If you say so.

I talked with my parents until they went to bed. Unlike me, mom and dad don't like staying until late. After all, they have to go to work tomorrow. Half of the day, I am at home. They come for dinner. I know they are working hard, and I appreciate it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have food on the table all the time. I'm glad about what they are doing for me. Maybe I need to return the favor. That will happen as well one day. Now I have to focus on school. If I exclude some people, it's not that bad. I probably should distance myself from my current friend group to see everyone. I hope that this won't be a mistake. I don't want anyone to have problems.