THE NERDY BAD BOY

CHAPTER ONE: A New Beginning JADE – POV The mirror, usually my ally, stared back at me with a kind of indifferent cruelty. My reflection looked as out of place as I felt — tangled hair, sleepy eyes, the faint crease of a pillow still pressed into my cheek. I cursed the alarm clock for interrupting the kind of dreamless sleep that feels like a momentary escape from the world’s expectations. But more than that, I cursed the reality it summoned me back to — a new school, in a new country, in a life that didn’t yet feel like mine. It had only been a month since we arrived. Long enough for the jet lag to fade, but not long enough for the loneliness to settle into something manageable. Every morning was a new negotiation with myself: to get up, to keep moving, to pretend that all of this wasn’t tearing little pieces from the girl I used to be. I turned away from the mirror, swallowing the sigh that threatened to escape. There was no time for sentiment. I had to be ready. I pulled on my uniform — a pressed white blouse, tucked into a pleated high-waist skirt, paired with thigh-high pop socks and worn-in black flats. Functional. Polished. Invisible — which was the goal. My fingers lingered for a moment at the collar. It felt stiff against my skin. Everything felt stiff. Formal. Foreign. Grabbing my phone and slipping my bag over one shoulder, I padded softly down the stairs. The scent of fried eggs and coffee greeted me, along with something less appetizing — the sharp grin of my older brother. "Isn’t it my favorite little sister," Ace drawled, his voice laced with mock affection. I didn’t even glance at him. “What do you want?” “Straight to business, huh? Cold,” he said, overplaying the pain in his tone. “Is that how you’re going to be on your first day at your fancy new school?” “You’re stalling. You only smile at me like that when you need something. Shouldn’t you be at college?” He ignored that last part. “Morning, Mum. Morning, Dad,” I said, placing a kiss on each of their cheeks. Dad beamed. “Morning, kiddo.” He planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. Mum mirrored the gesture, her hands warm as she pressed a foil-wrapped breakfast into my hands. “Eat this in the car. You didn’t eat yesterday either.” “Thanks, Mum,” I said softly. “You’re welcome, darling,” she replied with that tired, knowing smile mothers wear when they’re trying not to worry too much. Ace cleared his throat with theatrical flair. “As I was saying—” “No,” I interrupted, before he could begin his pitch. “You can’t have my car.” “Oh come on,” he pleaded. “You’re barely legal to drive. I’ll even chauffeur you to school today, like a responsible adult. All I need is the keys.” “That’s not how responsibility works.” “I said I’ll drive you to school, didn’t I?” he shot back with a wink. “Your majesty.” My father raised an eyebrow. “That still doesn’t answer the question. What do you need your sister’s car for?” “Yes,” Mum chimed in, folding her arms. “Tell us, Ace.” He started scratching the back of his head, mumbling something unintelligible. “Oh, I know, Mum,” I said sweetly, fixing him with a smile that mirrored the one he wore earlier. “I’ll tell you exactly where he’s going—” Before I could get another word out, Ace lunged forward and clamped a hand over my mouth. “Okay, gotta go! Bye Mum, bye Dad!” he said hurriedly, dragging me toward the door and snatching my backpack in the process. “Unhand me, you maniac,” I snapped once we were outside. “You talk too much,” he grumbled. “I had to shut you up.” “You’re going to see another girl, aren’t you? You think she’ll fall head-over-heels when she sees you pull up in a different car. Typical.” He didn’t deny it. He just grinned — which was all the confirmation I needed. “Those girls are ridiculous,” I muttered, staring out the window as the neighborhood rolled by. “You act like a secondhand sedan is a ticket to love.” “Exactly why you shouldn’t be like them,” he said suddenly, his voice sharpening. “Stay sharp. And… keep your virginity until marriage.” I turned to look at him, incredulous. “Seriously?” “I’m serious,” he said, his eyes fixed on the road now. “If any guy tries anything stupid, I swear I’ll kill him… and then kill you.” I scoffed. “Why would I listen to a walking red flag who can’t even name the girls he flirts with?” “I’m not saying I’m a good example. I’m saying learn from my stupidity,” he muttered. “You’re smarter than me. Just don’t waste it on some punk with a fake accent and a gym membership.” I rolled my eyes and went back to watching the city blur past. But I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. As annoying as he was, Ace was fiercely protective. He’d taught me how to spot charm that was too smooth, how to recognize when a compliment was just a trap wrapped in flattery. He’d been my first line of defense against heartbreak, even when I didn’t ask for it. “We’re here.” I looked up to find the school gates looming ahead — sleek, modern, and intimidating. Students in tailored uniforms moved in clusters, their laughter like a different dialect I didn’t yet speak. “I bet ninety percent of the kids here are spoiled,” Ace muttered as he parked. “Extra horny, too. So please… take care of yourself.” I hesitated, my hand on the car door. “Who’s picking me up later?” “I will,” he replied. “And what about breakfast? I didn’t even get to take a bite.” Ace dug into his jacket pocket and flung a crumpled hundred-dollar bill at me. “Buy something decent.” I laughed despite myself. “Thank you, darling.” “Bye,” he said, rolling his eyes as he pulled away. --- Later That Day The first class went better than expected. I managed to strike up a conversation with a girl named Joey, who was assigned to show me around. She had a shock of red hair, tattoos she clearly wasn’t allowed to have, and a laugh that belonged on a stage. She was chaos incarnate — but in the best way. “Hey,” came a voice behind me as we stood near our lockers. I turned to see three boys walking toward me. They were attractive — the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you’re admired — but it didn’t do much for me. “Hey,” I replied, cautious. “I’m Damien,” the tallest one said with a grin. “This is Josh, and that’s Andrew.” I offered a polite nod, not bothering to smile. “Nice.” “So,” Damien continued, undeterred, “wanna hang out with us after school?” “Not interested,” I replied curtly. Joey had warned me about them. Pretty boys with empty promises. Drama in designer shoes. Damien raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. Maybe next time. You look like you’re not in the mood.” He wasn’t wrong. I had biology next, and Joey had to split off for math, a class she hated. After some pleading on my part, she finally relented and went — but not before giving me a look that said, Stay out of trouble. As I walked alone through the hallways, a strange thing happened. I wasn’t just the new girl anymore. I was the girl becoming something. Maybe not yet understood. Maybe not yet loved. But I was here. I had arrived. And so had the story.