Secret crush

Chapter three - Back to school

Ellie's POV:

School is starting soon. I was excited the first year because I had never attended high school. With time, things got calmer. Teachers know me. I believe the same things from last year will repeat. I would've loved to see changes in people, but I don't think this is possible. It's not like I care that much. I have focused on myself. After all, I know why I'm there. Parties and wasting time are not my things. I have priorities. Unlike some people, I have planned my future. At least I know some universities. I haven't decided where I'll go. Let's say that all of them have something I like and dislike. It depends on preferences. The other thing is that I don't want to be far away from my parents. They have done a lot for me. I'm sure they won't mind if I go to another city. That will be temporary. We are close, and I want to stay with them. To do that, I need good grades. That means no distractions. I'm talking about a specific one. It's not like he will do something. As much as I know him, he is not interested in me. We texted a few times. That will change when we go to school. He will never be himself, or at least not how I would've wanted it. I don't understand why he has to do everything his friends say. Molly and her minions won't leave him alone at all. I hope that I won't be part of this at all.

School starts tomorrow. Mentally and physically, I'm ready. I have prepared myself since the end of my last year. Teachers always give tests. There is on everything we studied last year. I don't have problems with them. I might have some mistakes, but they are not enough to ruin my grades. Many people think I'm trying to prove myself. That is not true. I'm doing this for myself. After all, I have goals. That takes time and dedication. Not everyone will understand. They have no idea what it means to fight for something.

On the first day of school, my mom always treats me with delicious food. She believes this will bring me good luck. I don't know who told her that, but it's wrong. I didn't have luck at school. I got ready and went straight to the kitchen. It smells so good. Mom has made mini croissants with butter, ham, and cheese. You have no idea how delicious this is. I can eat a lot. I would've taken some if we didn't have lunch at school. Dad came and joined me. I had to wait for everyone to start eating. I was already l*****g my mouth.

- You can eat now. - my mom said

- Finally. It looks so good.

- I saw the l*****g. - she said, chuckling

- I didn't hide it. I don't need to go to Paris since I have a personal chef here.

- Excuse me? I'm not your chef.

- But you are still spoiling me. I didn't make you do it.

- She is right. You are her chef. - my dad said

- I have other work to do. I can't sit and cook all day.

- No one said that you have to do it.

- Are you ready for school? You can't be late.

- Mom, I have enough time for this. Can I enjoy my food?

- Sure. Will there be new students?

- No, as far as I know. It might not be in my class.

- Please, don't annoy your teachers this year.

- I'm not annoying anyone. The others don't study.

- Try to understand that every student needs a grade.

- That includes me, too.

- You earn grades all the time. Give a chance to the others.

- Why are you saying all this?

- Because I don't want to get called by the school.

- What? They did?

- Yes. They told me to calm you down. All your teachers see your potential.

- Interesting. Fine. I'll give them the silent treatment.

- I didn't say you have to do that.

- No, no. Offense taken. - I said, and my dad laughed

- Aren't you dramatic?

- Dad, this is personal.

- What did we create?

- I'm still here.

- You don't care about grades that much. Why are you doing all this?

- Why are you going to work every day?

- Because I need money and a job.

- Well, I need grades and a diploma. A high one.

- Fine. I won't argue with you. Do whatever you want.

- See? We can understand each other.

- She looks like you. - my mom said

- No, no, no. She took that from you.

- She is going to school. I won't listen to that. - I said

- Have a nice day.

I went to school with the thought of Hunter. I bet that he won't talk to me. Nothing will change. I wish I hadn't been only a Nerdy Ellie to everyone. I went inside and left my things in my locker. I received my schedule and everything I need to know in my email. Here, no one uses paper anymore. When the bell started ringing, I walked to class. Hunter was at the back, as usual, with Molly. He looked pissed at her. She probably annoyed him. That is her power. Soon, the teacher came.

- Hello, students. We are seeing each other again, no matter if you like it. - miss Jackson said

- How was your summer? You probably grade tests every month. - Devan said, laughing

- I planned your homework for the entire year. For you, it will be fifty percent of your final grade.

- What? You can't do that. I'll fail.

- You deserve it. - I said, mumbling

- We'll start with the simple things. We'll pass through everything we studied last year. After that, you will have your initial test. I have prepared a few examples. Who wants to solve the first one?

- Me.

- Anyone else? Ellie, that is too simple for you. I have something more complicated when your turn comes.

- We can do it backward.

- Jordan, why don't you try?

- Miss Jackson, I don't want to disappoint you. I care about you.

- Thank you. Get on board. Every correct answer will give you a plus. It can benefit you later.

- No, thanks.

- Miss, can I do it? Please. - I said

- Fine. Number fifteen is for you.

- Ok. Let me see it.

- You have to use.

- I know what I'm doing. Thank you.

- How did you solve that in two minutes? It took me an hour to find something difficult for you.

- Only an hour? I thought you would impress me. - I said, and she laughed

- I'll try harder next time.

The class finished quickly. Well, at least for me. I heard the comments about the Nerdy Ellie. I don't want people to call me like that, but I won't pay attention. On the lunch break, I went for food. My breakfast was good. I won't eat that much. I took a slice of pizza and an apple. That will be enough for me. I have a bottle of water in my backpack. Molly came with her minions. The good news is that they don't sit with me. Remind me not to speak that fast.

- Hey, Nerdy Ellie. Get up! - Molly said

- Why?

- Because I want to sit here today.

- So?

- Go and sit somewhere else.

- Let me think. No!

- What?

- I came here first. If you want to sit here, feel free to do it.

- Eww, I won't sit with you.

- Molly, we can sit over there. Don't be a drama queen. - Hunter said

- I want to sit here. The sun falls perfectly on my skin.

- With so many imperfections, even the sun won't help you. - I said, and he chuckled

- You have no right to talk to me like that.

- I can do whatever I want. I'm not moving! You either sit here or leave. I don't care.

- If you don't get up.

- We'll waste the whole lunch break. I'm going over there. - Hunter said and left

- See? He ran away from me.

- I feel his pain.

- Listen up, missy. You will do as I say. Understood?

- Molly, leave Ellie alone. - he said

- Why are you defending her? You were supposed to be with me.

- Because she is not doing anything to you. Leave the girl alone and go to eat.

- Will you be there?

- My food is there.

- Good. Let's go. Bye, loser.

- I'm sorry about that. Are you ok?

- Well, I'm used to this.

- I'm sorry about that, too. I'll talk with her.

- Don't do it. I don't care.

- Have a nice lunch.

- Thanks.

It was a simple thing. The fact that Hunter stood up for me made me look at him from another angle. That was. He didn't talk to me until the end of the school day. I received a few looks. It's nothing. In the afternoon, I was at home. I only went out for a while. My parents will go to work tonight. That will be after dinner. Mom won't miss the chance to ask about my first day. It's not like I mind. I share with them everything. No one else will listen to my nonsense.

- I want to know everything. - my mom said, setting the table

- Nothing happened. I didn't annoy anyone. Yet.

- We talked about it. You better listen and learn.

- But I get bored in these classes. Teachers tell me to sit and listen.

- This is what a student is supposed to do.

- The fault that I learned everything quickly is not mine.

- You can bring books to school.

- I can't read in class. In the breaks, I like to rest.

- Is a rest being on your phone?

- Oh, that is my disguise. You have no idea how many things I know by being quiet.

- What do you mean?

- Jeremy can't tell Lia that he likes her. He is afraid of her reaction.

- They told you this.

- No, but I focused on their conversation, pretending to be on my phone.

- Now, I see what you mean.

- She didn't learn this from me. I'm too noisy. - my dad said

- Mom and I can agree here.

- You have to know there is someone in the house.

- Yeah, sure. Let the whole neighborhood know.

- Being protective is a good thing.

- You are not protective but loud. - I said, and my mom laughed

- Are you two teaming up against me?

- No, we only agree on the same thing. - my mom said

- Many doctors want you. I can let them pass. Someone else will work with me.

- No chance. If it's necessary, I'll fight for my position with you.

- Dad, this is called love. You won't understand it.

- Said my single daughter.

- I'm only eighteen. It's too early for me.

- If you keep it like that, you might never date.

- Is there something wrong?

- Not at all. If you plan to live with cats, go somewhere else.

- I'll bring you three for company.

I spent the rest of the night at home alone. I watched a movie before I went to bed. My first day at school wasn't that bad. I'm used to Molly's scenes. She has nothing better to do. The bad thing is that I should deal with her for a year. I don't know if I'll survive. As I see it, Hunter won't talk with me in front of his friends. I'm Nerdy Ellie. Not many people like me and want to be with me. At least I have other activities to occupy me. People have no idea what I do outside of school. Maybe that was better. My personal life is not public. I hope that she won't bother me again.