Secret crush

Chapter seven - Unexpected class visitation

Ellie's POV:

I feel bad for Hunter. His friends are ruining his life. He cares about them too much. I'm not saying that I'm a better friend. I don't think we have made it official. We go out often, but it doesn't mean anything. I'm still surprised that this is happening. I never thought I would be that close to him. It was like a dream. Of course, I still like him. This doesn't mean I'll say something about this. Right now, he needs support, not a girlfriend. I don't know how to help him, but I'll try my best. He shouldn't feel this way. My advice for him will be to sit and talk with his friends. They have some things to make clear. The problem is that he doesn't want to lose them. I'm sure this will happen after we graduate. I don't expect to meet someone from school at my university. That's why you never know. For now, I'll focus on the present. I'm not saying we are that close, but I see some progress compared to last year. He didn't know that I existed. I have no idea what happened to him, but I'm happy for the change. I can see that he is trying to be himself. That is the best thing he can do. We shouldn't worry about what people think of us. Well, sometimes, I do it too. It's a human thing. I can't avoid that. It's not like I have tried to do it. I hope that I'm not sacrificing too much because of him.

Halloween is coming up. I don't plan on doing something. I would've done it if my parents were at home. Sadly, they have to work. I heard someone will have a party, but I don't care. I know who will be there. The trio and I haven't talked much. They stopped bothering me for now. It doesn't mean they won't start again. The only rule is to have a good costume. Don't tell me there will be a coolometer. That is ridiculous. I can still go out without attending the party. I haven't decided yet.

I'm in the hall. Soon, my Math class will start. I like being early. There are no specific places where we should sit, but I like being close to the teacher. If it's necessary, I'll fight for it. Apart from the joke, I'll go there early. I took my things and left. Only a few students have arrived. Hunter came after five minutes. He asked if he could sit down. I have told him to stop doing it. Honestly, he looks terrible. I don't know what has happened. Maybe it's better if I don't know. He might not tell me.

- Hello, students. Let's start the lesson. Is Jake the only absent student? - miss Morris asked

- Yes. - I said

- Hello, everyone. I hope you don't mind my presence.

- Principal Davidson. No, no. You can come in.

- Thank you.

- Is there a reason for your visit? You didn't mention anything about that.

- No, I only came to watch. You can act as if I'm not here.

- Yes, sure.

- I would like to sit at the back.

- There is a free place next to Daniel. We have an absent student.

- Thank you.

- Alright. For today, I have planned to do a practice. You'll have a test after two weeks. Everyone has to solve something on the board. Let's start with Annie.

- Oh, no.

- Don't worry. I'm here to help.

- Is this correct?

- Let me check. It is. Molly, you are next on the board.

- No, thanks. Nerdy Ellie can go.

- Her name is Ellie, and this task is too simple for her.

- I won't do it.

- Fine. I'll write you a minus. Three times minus equals an F. Hunter, come here.

- I don't think I can do it.

- But you will.

- Fine.

- Copy this problem.

- What do I have to do now?

- Solve it.

- How?

- Here. These are the formulas you need.

- Miss, can I be next? - I asked

- Alright. You can solve problems fifteen and sixteen from the last lesson.

- I did.

- What? When?

- I had to do something not to get bored.

- Alright. Solve what we haven't solved in class.

- Can I go to the board? He is writing nonsense.

- Ellie, be patient. - she said, chuckling

- Please.

- I don't mind. - Hunter said

- See?

- Alright. Then you'll solve this one.

- I have a question.

- What is it?

- Can you check problem thirteen? The fifth example. I think there is a mistake in the equation.

- I will. Solve Hunter's one and the last one from this list.

- Sure. Here is my notebook. I tried two different ways. None of them works.

- I will see that as well.

The principal stayed with us the entire class. I didn't want to shade Hunter, but this is who I am. That is what I call unexpected class visitation. Principal Davidson doesn't need to know every student he has, but he surely remembered me. The rest of my classes were calmer. I tried to be quiet. After the last class, I followed Hunter. Something was off with him. Hopefully, it's not because of what I did in Math class. It wasn't on purpose. I caught him half of the way from school.

- Wait!

- Ellie? What are you doing here?

- I followed you.

- Don't tell. Why?

- Because I noticed that something was off. Will you share?

- I don't want to bother you with this.

- I won't be bothered.

- Really?

- Yes. Tell me.

- I tried to talk to my friends, but they kept ignoring me all day.

- I'm sorry. The last thing I want you to do is to make you choose between me and your friends. That's why I won't do it, but you still have to choose. Do you want to be the person they shaped you into or be yourself?

- That's not easy.

- But it can help you figure out what you want.

- Now I wish you weren't that smart. - Hunter said, and I laughed

- You wish. That will never happen. No one can take what's inside my brain.

- I know.

- If they don't want to talk with you, text in the group chat. Tell them how you feel and what you want.

- How? They don't understand me the way you do.

- Maybe, but they should do it if they don't want to lose you.

- More people like you should exist. You don't judge anyone.

- I don't have a reason to do it. I'm not perfect, either.

- But you know what you want.

He didn't say anything else. There was no need for that. I can see what he is thinking about. I was sure he would leave me, but no. That is my first time being in someone else's house. It's the first time I have heard from him that he will do his homework. Something else is going on, but I won't ask. We finished in two hours. Usually, I study for another one, but I won't make him do that. He was distracted the whole time. I better go home for dinner. Well, part of me feels terrible leaving him alone.

- Hey, are you ok? You were quiet the whole time.

- I have nothing to say.

- Are you sure? I'm sure you have what to say, but not to me. Am I right?

- You always are. You can't make a mistake.

- Don't make me tell you about every mistake I have made.

- You did?

- I told you. I'm not perfect.

- But you know what you are doing. You have avoided being in situations like mine.

- That is because I started picking up the people around me carefully.

- How can I do that?

- I think you can use the university as a fresh start. People there are supposed to be more mature.

- Do you believe in this?

- Yes. Well, when they talk about the third or fourth graders.

- That makes more sense.

- I'm not saying it'll be easy, but you shouldn't give up. You'll meet the right people. Be patient.

- I believe we won't be at the same university.

- Sadly, I don't have an answer for that. I haven't decided where I want to go.

- You have enough time to think about this. There is no way you will get rejected.

- I wish you were right. I can't be sure about this. Many things can happen.

- We talk about you.

- So? It's not a guarantee that I'll get accepted everywhere.

- I'm sure you will. If you don't get in, this means I have zero chances.

- Don't compare yourself with me. We are different people with different goals.

- Only you have goals.

I can tell he is in this phase where he has no idea what to do. No matter how much we talk, he is the one who has to make the final decisions. I can't do it instead of him. It doesn't work this way. Hunter invited me for dinner, but I denied it. I don't see my parents so often, so I'll enjoy this dinner. They have a night shift tomorrow. I have no problem staying with them, but I'll probably fall asleep. That is not an option for me when I have school in the morning.

- It looks so good. - I said

- Thank you. - my mom said

- You look in a good mood. Did something happen? - my dad asked

- I don't know where you see the good mood.

- Why? Who hurt you?

- No one. I'm fine. Let's say that I don't have that much energy.

- Who stole it?

- Leave her alone. She doesn't need to tell you everything.

- I'm her dad. I need to know what is going on with her.

- Dad, I'm fine. Nothing is going on with me. I only talked with someone who has a problem. It has nothing to do with me.

- Then why is it bothering you? - my mom asked

- Because I feel useless. I can't help with anything.

- I know you like healing people, but sometimes, we can't do anything. What is the problem?

- Since he started talking with me, his friends ditched him.

- What do you have to do with that?

- Let's say that I'm not everyone's favorite. Have you heard about Nerdy Ellie?

- Nerdy what?

- Nerdy Ellie. People call me like that in school. Well, a small group of people.

- Why did you never tell us? - my dad asked

- Because I don't care about this. It has nothing to do with my personality.

- You said he. Do we have a situation here?

- What? No. Where did that come from?

- I'm only asking.

- Dad, we are not even friends.

- Why?

- Because he never said it. He doesn't want to leave his friends.

- You can help him make the right choice.

- I don't want to mess with this. I did enough. It's a waste of time.

- Try to convince yourself. It's not working.

- I won't say anything.

- I'm sure you won't give up. You care too much. - my mom said

We left it there. I don't want to talk about this. I can't give up on Hunter. Well, I don't know what else to do. I lost too much time with this. I might like him, but it doesn't mean I'll stop thinking about myself. He is right about one thing. We might not even be at the same university. I shouldn't care so much. Sadly, I do. I can't escape from that. Of course, I won't tell him anything. Things are complicated for him. I can't make him feel even worse. That is something with which I'll deal another day. Probably, I won't believe my own words. I hope that this is not a mistake.