Inside a Nerd's Mind

A Simple Introduction

And just like that, the bell rang.

Most in the class looked at the clock at the back of the room. Some of them were happy, some of them relieved, while I actually felt a little sadness inside me.

“Seems like that ends our lovely and insightful discussion today.” He chuckled. “Well, goodbye class. It was fun today… sorta.” He joked.

“Goodbye, Mr. Adams” the class responded as he waved goodbye and left the room.

And just after a few moments, the class was chaotic. It was like you’re in a wet market or in Walmart at Black Friday. Most were standing, going to other rows, while some grouped up in their own rows and just talked to each other. You can see the people in the front turning their heads to the back while others just move their chairs behind so that they can talk to the people behind them. Even though it’s the first day of school and the first class of the day was just finished, they seemed to somewhat know each other already or maybe that they’re just really friendly.

The four of us, well, we aren’t really that friendly, maybe except for Zachary, but we just prefer to stay in our own groups. I mean, quality over quantity, right? Your number of friends would be nothing if they’re fake or if they don’t really care for you. Unless you just get to know them as an acquaintance so that you can contact them when you need to. But I would rather have a small group or a little number of friends that care for me deeply rather than having those big groups but you don’t know to whom you can express or who you can be yourself with.

So, for the four of us, we just talked with each other.

“So, what did you guys think of Mr. Adams?” asked Zachary.

“I think he’s pretty cool,” answered Jeremy.

“He’s amazing!!” complimented Kim.

“I think this is going to be the most interesting class yet,” I replied.

“Doesn’t he strike you guys as a weirdo?” asked Zachary.

“Well… uh… he is… a little bit.” blurted Jeremy.

“No, he isn’t at all,” assured Kim.

“If he’s weird, then it’s the good kind of weird,” I remarked.

“What’s actually worth mentioning is that his discussions earlier or the ‘lessons’ that he said looks like something that he got off from a f*******: post.” chuckled Zachary.

“You’re right, it does seem like it.” laughed Jeremy as he high-fived Zachary.

“Hey, come on, give the guy a break. It was nice.” I chimed in.

“Well, they do have a point, Ethan,” argued Kim.

“So, why does it matter if it’s from a f*******: post?” I asked.

“It’s just cheesy.” joked Jeremy.

“and cringey,” added Zachary.

“I mean, I don’t have a problem. f*******: is a great way to communicate your ideas.” articulated Kim.

“Exactly.” I agreed.

“Hey, I’m just sayin’,” said Zachary as he shrugged.

“Well, it’s not like you got your interest to politics in f*******:, but y’know…” I sarcastically joked.

“Heyyyy, it’s Twitter and that’s different,” argued Zachary.

“f*******:, Twitter – they’re still social media platforms,” I uttered.

“There’s a difference between the two, the posts that trend there, especially the people that uses it,” observed Zachary.

“Not to interject Ethan, but isn’t it known that f*******: is for old people these days?” interjected Kim.

“Well… my mom does use it more frequently… and she doesn’t have Twitter… so…” I stuttered.

“See.” bragged Zachary as Kim and Jeremy laughed.

I just stared at them menacingly but chuckled afterward.

“Speaking of my mom, I have to ask you guys something. Wha-“

But before I can ask the question, the classroom door opened and the next teacher just happened to interrupt and walk into the classroom.

What happened next was hilarious.

The teacher saw the chaos unraveling. Students were running around the classroom, going around the aisles, bumping into other students and into the tables just to quickly get to their proper seats. It was like a cop walked in and they were all fugitives. You can see them run faster like the Flash while the teacher was just staring at them.

As the class hurriedly got to their seats and remained standing, the teacher just nodded and walked to the teacher’s table.

“Good morning, class.” greeted the teacher in a low hoarse-like voice.

Her voice was surprising. If you closed your eyes, you won’t be able to match her voice to her body. Not to judge, but she was little – maybe somewhere below 5 feet and she was also skinny. She may have an innocent face but she has that killer look. If she stared back at you, you’ll feel like kneeling, confessing all your sins, and pleading for your life like she is the judge, jury, and executioner.

“Good morning, ma’am.” We replied.

“You may sit down,” she said afterward.

“First, let me introduce myself. My name is Ms. Vargas and I will be your science teacher for this year.” She stated.

“Yes! Science! Woohoo!” Kim was ecstatic.

Apparently, Kim’s voice got pretty loud and Ms. Vargas heard her.

“Who’s the young lady that got a little bit excited there?” asked Ms. Vargas, chuckling.

Kim got shy and lowered down his head, trying to cover it so that the teacher won’t see it.

“Oh, come on, don’t be shy now. Who was that?” She asked.

Ms. Vargas kept looking at the back, knowing that the voice came from somewhere over here.

“Was it you, the girl who’s hiding over at the back?” She asked while pointing at Kim.

“Uhhh- “ Kim murmured, she didn’t know what to say.

Ms. Vargas raised her eyebrows, waiting for a response from Kim.

“Uhhh-“

“Yes ma’am, she was the one who said that.” grinned Zachary.

The three of us looked at Zachary, surprised while Kim uttered “What!?”

“She actually likes Science, ma’am. It’s her favorite subject.” boasted Zachary.

“Oh, really now?” She asked.

“Uhhh… yes, ma’am?” Kim stuttered.

“Great! What do you like about Science?” Ms. Vargas asked.

“Uhhh… I like Biology… and… Uhhh…” Kim kept stuttering.

“And?” Ms. Vargas probed.

“I like… studying… life.” Kim dictated.

“And what makes life interesting for you?” Ms. Vargas asked.

“Uhhh… the complexities… on why… life keeps on living,” Kim explained.

“Like what?” Mrs. Vargas interrogated.

“Uhhh… life’s desire for… survival and… reproduction,” Kim added.

“Very good, and your name is?” Mrs. Vargas requested.

“Uhmm… Kim, my name is Kim, ma’am.” She answered.

“Kim… that’s a lovely name.” complimented Ms. Vargas. “Please sit down.” She requested.

“Now, since you already know me and we have already started with Kim there. I’d like to know all of you.” She expressed. “Everyone will take turns standing in front, introducing themselves. When you stand in front, stand straight and tall so that we can see your handsomeness or your beauty.” She chuckled. “Also, state your name and what you want to become in the future.” Ms. Vargas requested.

“To make things different than the usual, let’s start from the very back.” She said as she pointed at our row. “You, the guy who sold Kim out. Let’s start with you.” Ms. Vargas dictated.

Zachary stood and walked towards the platform as Ms. Vargas walked backward to the teacher’s desk.

“Hello everyone, my name is Zachary but you can call me Zach in short. When I grow up, I want to be a politician and maybe someday, be the president of our country. It’s because I like to help other people and in turn, I hope that someday you’ll help me.” Zachary announced.

I looked at my classmates, some were smiling probably because they liked him, some were laughing probably because they thought he was weird, while some were annoyed probably because of his prideful character, which I have to say, is very evident from Zachary.

Zachary nodded at Ms. Vargas as she nodded in return. He then walked back to his seat as Jeremy stood and walked towards the platform.

“Hi guys, my name is Jeremy, but you can call me Jeremy in short.” He mocked Zachary as he looked at him while some of my classmates laughed. “Uhhh… to be honest, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up or what I want to take in college.” He blurted. “But if there’s one thing that I really want that I’m sure of… and that is… being rich.” He joked.

He got the whole room laughing.

“Am I right guys?” He said as he shrugged.

“You should become a stand-up comedian.” One of my classmates said.

“You should become mine.” A cheesy remark from one of the girls.

“Hold your horses, you’re still young and you still have a lot to explore.” Ms. Vargas chimed in. “You should focus on studying first since you’ll have a lot of time for love later on.” She added. “But y’know, if you can do both at the same time, why not, right?” She joked.

“Thank you, Jeremy.” She nodded towards Jeremy and he walked back towards his seat which means that it’s my turn to stand in front.

As I saw Jeremy walking down the aisle. I took a deep breath, prayed to the God Almighty, to all the angels and the saints that they may guide and guard me to whatever hell I might go in.

“Next.” Ms. Vargas announced.

I didn’t notice that Jeremy had already sat down and everyone in the room was looking at me.

“f**k!” I blurted to myself as I realized that I already made my first embarrassing moment without even standing up.