MR. NERD MEETS MS. NAUGHTY

CHAPTER 2: THE UNEXPECTED MEET

MARA'S POV

The hallway was buzzing with the usual chaos—students laughing, lockers slamming, feet shuffling in every direction. I was just trying to navigate through it all when I saw him.

At the very end of the corridor. On that lonely bench. Alone.

He was wearing the same uniform as everyone else, but he looked like he existed in a completely different world. Head down, eyes fixed on a book, completely oblivious to the noise around him.

I stopped walking. I couldn't help it.

Oh my gosh. A classic nerd. The kind who keeps to himself, who doesn't bother anyone, who probably just wants to be left alone. I smiled to myself. I didn't have anything against nerds. In fact, I kind of admired them. They had their own world, and they didn't seem to care if anyone wanted in or not.

I took a step toward him. I don't know why. Maybe because no one else was. Maybe because something about the way he sat there, so still, so separate from everyone, made me want to at least try.

But before I could take another step, a hand grabbed my arm.

"What?!" I snapped, pulling away. My heart was pounding from the sudden interruption. Ange had a habit of appearing out of nowhere, and it was starting to get on my nerves.

"What's wrong with you?" she whispered, pulling me aside like we were in some kind of spy movie. "Don't you know?"

My forehead creased. "Know what?!" I was already annoyed, but now she had my curiosity.

She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "Don't go near him. He has a terrible attitude."

I glanced back at him. He hadn't moved. He hadn't even looked up. He just sat there, reading, like the rest of the world didn't exist.

I looked at Ange. I didn't believe her. Not for a second.

"That guy?!" I said loudly. Too loudly.

The entire hallway stopped. Eyes turned to me. My face burned.

Ugh. So embarrassing.

I lowered my head, muttering apologies to no one in particular. When I tried to say something to Ange, she slapped her hand over my mouth.

"Mmmphh hmm mmmph!" I protested, my words completely muffled.

"Shhhh!!" she hissed, her hand tightening. "Quiet! He'll hear you! And another thing—he owns this university!"

My jaw dropped.

Him? The heir?

I stared at him again. The quiet boy on the bench. The one reading alone. He owned this entire university? The buildings, the classrooms, the benches, the trees—all of it? He didn't look like someone who owned anything. He looked like someone who had nothing.

Ange noticed I'd gone silent. She slowly removed her hand from my mouth.

"Wait... why aren't you saying anything?" she asked, confused.

I glared at her. "How am I supposed to talk? You were covering my mouth!" I sighed heavily, trying to regain my composure. "Fine, I'll follow everything you said—but I'm really not going to obey."

She winced. "Sorry... it's your fault though." Then that mischievous grin appeared. "Fine, I'll hold you to that. If you don't, something bad will happen to you." she threatened.

"Okay, okay, I know you're stubborn and you won't leave me alone," I complained, but a smile tugged at my lips anyway.

"That's good!" she said.

But honestly? My chest felt tight. I didn't know why. I barely knew him. I hadn't even heard his voice. But something about the way Ange warned me off made me want to know him more.

As I walked away, saying goodbye to Ange, I couldn't help but glance back at him one more time.

Why is Ange like that? He wasn't doing anything wrong. He was just sitting there. Reading. Alone. What could possibly be the problem?

I shook my head, trying to clear the thought. Never mind, then.

---

When I got to my classroom, I dropped into my seat, grateful for the familiar routine. A few moments later, our teacher arrived.

"Good morning, class!" she said cheerfully.

"Good morning, Ma'am!" we answered in unison.

"Hello, students! My name is Mrs. Doreen Castillo. I'm your English Teacher! For today's lesson, we have to make a simple letter with our word of the day: 'Memories.'"

The word hit me like a stone to the chest.

Memories.

I swallowed hard. Simple memories. They could hold so much weight. So much pain. So much you thought you'd buried until a single word dug it all back up.

"Get a quarter sheet of paper," Ma'am instructed. "And write your experiences or thoughts about this. You have 30 minutes to finish it. Starts now."

Here we go again with that quarter sheet.

I was rummaging through my bag when a voice spoke from beside me.

"Ahem... can I borrow a quarter sheet?"

I looked up. A guy with a wide, easy smile was looking at me expectantly. I hesitated for a second—stranger danger and all that—but then reminded myself I was in a new school. I needed friends.

"Ah, sure! Here!" I handed him two pieces. "Take two, so if you make a mistake, you have a spare!"

His grin widened. "Thanks!" He took the paper. "I'm Lorenzo Divina, by the way! And you?"

"You're welcome! I'm Mara Andrea Latome."

He nodded, then his smile turned playful. "Okay... Ms. Mar Mar!!! Hahahahaha!"

My forehead creased. "Mar! Not 'Mar Mar'! You're so annoying!"

"Just joking! Haha. Okay, next time again."

I smirked. "We'll see if you ever get to borrow again!"

And then it happened. A swarm. Suddenly, half the class was at my desk, hands outstretched, all asking for paper.

"What am I, your sponsor? Go buy your own! I'm getting robbed here!"

But I gave them all some anyway. I couldn't be rude. Not on my first real day.

We passed our papers forward, and then—school was out! The teacher announced that today was just an introduction. The real hardship starts tomorrow.

---

I was walking toward the gate, my mind wandering, when I turned and—thud.

"Ahhh! Ouch!" I held my forehead, the impact sending a sharp pain through my skull. "Sorry!" I mumbled, still half-dazed.

I looked up.

It was him.

My heart stopped.

What do I do?

I'd already said sorry. That was the right thing, wasn't it? I waited for his response. For anything.

"Excuse me," he said quietly.

His voice. It was soft. Gentle. It didn't match the rumors at all.

And then he just... walked away.

No "sorry." No "it's okay." No acknowledgment that I'd just walked into him like an i***t. He just left.

I stared at his back as he disappeared into the crowd.

Ange was right. What a bad attitude.

"Time to go home," I muttered, irritation prickling under my skin.

---

When I got home, I kissed Mom's cheeks and went straight to my room. The only thing I'd achieved today was annoyance and exhaustion.

I lay down, closed my eyes, and let the darkness take me.

---

Cock-a-doodle-doo! c**k-a-doodle-doo!

I bolted upright, my heart racing. Ahhhh! A rooster?!

Wait. We don't have a rooster.

I looked at the window. Sunlight was streaming through.

Haha. It was just a dream.

"Hey, why are you up so early today?" Mom's voice came from the doorway.

I turned to her, smiling despite my grogginess. "Mom! Why are you here?" I yawned. "I had a dream! Hehehe."

Mom smiled warmly. "Okay, come on now. Go eat breakfast. Then take a bath. Everything's ready. Come downstairs!"

I nodded, then paused. "Hey... you didn't answer my question about why you're here." I shrugged and sang to myself, "Yes, Mom!"

I went down to the living room and headed to the kitchen. After eating, I took a bath and then went to school.

When I arrived, I saw him again.

Nerd Boy. Standing outside the gate. Like he was waiting for someone.

I looked away and walked past. Never mind.

---

Class was dragging. The teacher was late, and my patience was thin. I decided to go to the rooftop. Fresh air. Peace. Quiet.

When I opened the door, he was there.

He didn't see me. He was too busy staring at his phone.

Perfect. I slipped to the other side of the rooftop, far from him, and took a deep breath.

"The air feels so good here," I whispered to myself, letting the breeze wash over me. "It washes away annoyance, bad feelings, and exhaustion!"

"Yeah, it does. I wish I could just live here."

I froze.

Someone spoke. A voice from the other side.

I peered through a small gap and saw him.

Him?

My heart hammered. What was he doing here? What was I supposed to do?

Before I could talk myself out of it, a surge of boldness pushed me forward. I walked over to him, trying to look serious, trying to sound snappy.

"Excuse me, have you been here long?" I asked.

He looked up, startled. "It's my territory." He was still looking at his phone, like I wasn't worth his attention.

My forehead creased. "Is that so?"

"What are you doing here!" His voice was sharp. Angry.

I gathered every ounce of courage I had. "I'm just here to enjoy the view." I even added a little flair, hoping it would hide how nervous I was.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Get out!"

But I didn't move. I couldn't. Something kept me rooted to the spot.

"It's sad when you're all alone," I said softly. "I'm just here if you need me."

His face darkened. "Be quiet. I said get out. You don't know me, so don't act friendly to me."

The words stung. More than I expected. Something heavy settled in my chest, and for a moment, all I wanted to do was hug him. To tell him it was okay. That I didn't mean any harm.

But he stormed off before I could say anything else.

I stood there, caught off guard. What am I even saying?!

"Um... wait!" I called out, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly. "What I meant was... I'm here to thank you for giving me a chance to be part of your school."

He stopped. He turned and stared at me for what felt like an eternity.

I felt like I was melting.

"Don't thank me," he said flatly. "I didn't do anything."

And then he was gone.

I let out a long sigh. Maybe I had been too friendly. Too forward. But at least I said thank you. At least I tried.

---

When I got back to the classroom, someone called out.

"Hey! Mar Mar! How's it going?" Lorenzo's cheerful voice rang out.

I looked at him and just shook my head. "I'm fine." Then I glared. "Wait a minute, why do you call me 'Mar Mar'? I told you, right?"

He grinned widely. "Sorry! I just like it for you. You look cute when you're annoyed. Haha!"

"Okay." I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Come on, let's go inside already."

"Sure."

Lorenzo is so annoying.

---

Class dismissed!

"Yay! Time to go home!" I whispered, relief flooding through me.

We had to clean the room—scholars' duty, to help with tuition. By the time we finished, it was 5:00 PM. The room had been a mess. Rich kids, I thought. They don't care about cleanliness.

I was waiting at the terminal when a car pulled up in front of me.

Ange.

"Mar! Just ride with me!" she insisted. "You'll waste all your time waiting!"

I shook my head. "Ange! That's embarrassing! I can find another—"

She didn't let me finish. She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the car.

"Come on! Don't be shy!"

I sighed, giving in. "Fine, you're so stubborn anyway!"

She grinned. "Me? Stubborn? You're the troublemaker! Hahahaha!"

"No, I'm not!"

A few minutes later, I was home. I thanked her and went inside.

"Mom! I'm home! Sorry I'm late. We had to clean up."

Mom smiled. "It's fine. Just don't do it again."

"Yes, Mom. Thank you. Love you."

Mom shook her head. "Being sweet again. Haha. Okay, love you too."

I smiled and went upstairs to change. Dinner was soon. As I was about to head down, my phone buzzed.

1 message — Unknown

I froze. Wait, who is this?!

I never give my number to anyone. How did someone get it?

I opened the message.

Hi, Mar! It's me, Angel. How are you? Are you wondering how I got your number? I have lots of connections. Hehehe!

I smiled, relief washing over me. It's just Ange.

I replied immediately.

Ange! So it's you! Haha. You could have just asked for my number. Anyway, I'm fine. Thank you for asking!

She didn't reply. Probably busy. That girl really loves to mess around!

I went down, ate dinner, washed the dishes, and went straight to bed.

Another long day.

But as I lay there, staring at the ceiling, one thought kept circling back.

When will I get to talk to him again?

When will I finally learn his name?

Is it fate that we keep running into each other? What does it mean?

I didn't have answers. But as my eyes grew heavy and sleep finally claimed me, I realized something.

I wanted to find out.

---

To be continued

---