His Favorite Nerd

He Wasn't Just That

Chapter 9

:⁠-[ADRIAN'S POV]:⁠-

Since two days ago he informed me to stay away from him and leave him alone, I had respected that. And him too had maintained that distance.

I had wondered if I made a mistake for being worried about his health that day, but my conscience always told me I did the right thing.

Even when I went to him because of my broken glasses, I expected for an apology. But instead, he had rudely told me he would get another one done. I knew he was rich, but just an apology would be enough to solve it.

Even though he had told me to stay away from me. I actually expected him not to do the same, since he wanted to have me close till he gets another glasses for me.

Did he forget about the glasses?

Or

Did I do something wrong?

" Why aren't you getting dressed?" Ethan suddenly asked.

I looked down at what I was putting on, just a singlet and boxer on my body. I had been zoning out in front of the mirror for almost thirty minutes since I came out of the restroom.

" Is everything okay?" Ethan asked worriedly and I gave a nod.

I went over to my bedside and picked up my uniform. Within five minutes, I was done dressing up and I wore my shoes.

After then, I got up and walked toward the wall mirror. I neatly arranged my hair and sprayed some perfume.

As I was about to remove my glasses in order to clean, the Captain's words echoed in my mind.

" Don't ever take your glasses off."

I chuckled.

I knew he meant I shouldn't take it off in front of others.

Before I knew it, I found myself in the bathroom to clean it and change the cellotape since it had worn out. After I was done, I put it back on and got out of the bathroom.

Immediately we stepped out of the room, I looked toward the left and right to see someone but nobody was there.

Then I remembered that he doesn't wait for me anymore.

Why am I even thinking about him?

I scoffed and walked to the school together with my roommates. Tomorrow would be our last day of test, and by next tomorrow, most of the students will be going for the mid-semester break including my roommates.

I had no where to go, I would probably stay inside my dormitory throughout that week and maybe spend a day out of it to get another glasses done at the eye clinic. But still, it would be a long boring week without my roommates.

I will miss them.

Lucas pushed the door and we all got inside. Almost all the students were already on their seats because we actually arrived late. But thank God the teacher was yet to be in class.

My eyes flickered at the captain with his head fixed on the phone he was pressing. He didn't even looked up to check who just got in.

Even when I got to my table side, I somehow managed to c***k jokes with Lucas in order to gain his attention, but the captain wouldn't budge, talk less of looking up.

I exhaled out and adjusted my glasses. I then realized he was just back to his normal self, who doesn't care about anyone but only himself.

I really loved that, having him close would only lead to unnecessary attention.

***

After that day test was done, I picked up my backpack and stood up in order to go back to the dormitory. But as I was about to head outside, a voice called.

" Adrian," I looked back, it was Jason.

He rushed toward my side and immediately wrapped his arm around my neck. I stiffened and looked toward where Ethan was, but thank God he wasn't aware of us.

Right from the time Jason introduced himself to me, he had been talking to me since then. There was even a day he got a snack for me while coming back from cafeteria. Maybe he...

I shook my head off.

Maybe I was the one reading too much into it.

" Are you going to your dorm?" Jason asked and I nodded.

He smiled and said, " Maybe you could follow us to the football club and watch us practice instead."

Why would he invite me?

I briefly looked at the captain who was heading out with the other teammates. I probably don't want to go against the captain's instruction, I must turn down Jason's offer.

" Umm... I need to read for tomorrow test." I replied.

" Just come along, you won't stay too long." he said, " having someone watching us always feel better when practicing."

" And, there's only one test tomorrow and I'm sure you would have read for it." he added.

He was right, I had read for the test already and I knew I would have a perfect score assuming I was to sat for it at that moment.

I would probably stay away from the captain and made sure to avoid eye contact with him.

" Alright," I replied and Jason smiled.

It's been almost an hour I got here and everywhere was lively with the football team noises.

They were busy practicing different techniques. They were the only club at school that was on even though it was test week. They had to undergo months of vigorous training before any tournament.

" Pass the ball to him already,"

" Oh s**t, what the f**k is wrong with you all today."

" I can't believe all these teammates of mine are dumb. You're just week."

" Get your brain together,"

" I'll give you just five minutes and then get your asses back together."

That was the cold captain talking to his teammates. Was he really worked up or that was how he had always been harsh toward them.

The team dispersed as they went to seat down and relaxed. They were all sweating profusely. Even after going through all those practices, their captain didn't acknowledge their works.

I suddenly saw Tyler grabbing a sit beside me with just a seat between us. Even though I had seen him on different occasions, we've never talked before.

" Would you mind one?" he asked, holding two chilled coca-cola while he stretched one toward me.

I nodded and collected it from him.

" Thank you,"

I opened the scalp and drank some portion of it. I covered it back and placed it on the seat beside me.

" Ever since he talked with his mom, he had made everyone practice more than before." Tyler suddenly said and I looked at him.

" When was that?" I asked.

" Day before yesterday when we were coming back from the cafeteria. That should be around one." he answered, taking another sip from the drink.

It was also around that time I saw him coming out of the music room.

" Did he perhaps argue with his mom?" It slipped out of my mouth, as if I'd probably want to know what actually happened.

" He isn't in good terms with his parents and I'm sure he argued with his mom when she showed up unexpectedly." Tyler answered.

My eyes shifted toward where the captain was seating. Even though his face was always stern, I somehow could see beyond his physical appearance. I then realized something.

He was lonely.

He must have pushed me away that day after an argument with his mom. He actually directed his anger toward me because I showed up at the wrong time.

" Adrian right?" Tyler asked.

I gave a nod.

" I'm Tyler," he introduced. " See you later," he said with a smile as he left to join others since the five minutes break was over.

But wait, I actually just had a conversation with Lucas's greatest enemy.

I quickly looked around as if Lucas must've seen me.

***

Jason had invited me to join them for dinner also since they practiced till around 8 pm. After I accepted the invitation, I made sure to text Ethan to go ahead to the cafeteria instead of waiting for me.

When we arrived inside, the cafeteria was crowdy with gazes on us immediately we stepped inside.

The captain sat down on his special chair, I had mistakenly sat on the other day. Till now, i could only imagine what was special about that seat.

I dropped my backpack and was about to sit on the empty chair beside him when he grabbed Tyler and made him sat there instead.

My chest tightened. I stared at him to a point my gaze started burning him at his back.

" Come take a sit here," Jason informed, tapping the empty chair beside him.

I picked up my backpack and went to seat beside Jason. As soon as I sat down, I lowered my glasses a little bit and made a silent groan toward that cold captain.

So annoying.

We were served grilled salmon with Mac and cheese. Everyone started eating but I knew there was no way I was eating all that since fish was included.

I used the spoon and placed the grilled salmon aside while I munch on the Mac and cheese instead.

" Aren't you eating that?" Jason asked and everybody looked at me excluding the captain.

" Yes," I replied, " I don't eat fish. I'm allergy to it."

" Then I'll take it," Jason said and I nodded in response.

He picked up the grilled salmon and served me his own Mac and cheese. Though I refused, but he insisted on doing so.

I slowly looked toward Mason, he was eating less.

" What are you all planning to do during the holiday?" Tyler asked, looking up from his food.

" Nothing," I replied , " I'm staying at school during the break."

" I would probably used that one week taking my sister to the park." Jason said. " You know how much he loves going there."

" Yeah, but that's so boring," Tyler said and scoffed.

" Why don't I arrange a date for you all?" Tyler suggested, his eyes scanning everyone.

Everywhere remained silent, even the captain stopped eating.

Jason broke the silence, " I'm in, I've considered dating before finishing highschool."

" I really want to date someone who likes me and I'm willing to like that person back if I could." Jason added.

If someone was to be happy right now, that would be Ethan. That was the right time to express his feelings for Jason.

I smiled.

" What about you, Adrian?" Tyler asked.

I quickly looked at him. I had been wanting others to date but I've never thought about myself.

" I..." I started but just then the captain cut in.

" He has somewhere to go together with me, he won't be available." he answered Tyler instead.

He didn't forget about my glasses.

I faced down and a smile escaped my lips.

" Where are you two going to?" Tyler asked suspiciously, his gaze shifting from the captain then to me.

" It's none of your business," the captain replied, " you all should stop talking already. Maintain a table manner."

Tyler's nose twitched as he continued eating while Jason chuckled. Nobody could talk again till we finished eating.

Then we left the cafeteria, and headed to the dormitory.

On our way, a familiar voice called me and I stopped on my tracks. I turned around and found the person to be Ethan.

" You all can go ahead, I'll go back inside with my roommate." I informed the three of them.

Both Jason and Tyler smiled at me and nodded before they left my sight. Even after they had left, I thought the captain could turn back and look at me.

I wanted him to leave me alone... so why does it feel strange now that he has?

" Hey," Ethan greeted, getting to my side.

" Hi," I replied with a smile.

" I just saw you now with the football team," Ethan said.

" Oh... Yeah, that's true." I replied.

Ethan nodded and we two continued walking. Just like that, the conversation died down. It was as if he was thinking the whole time cause he didn't talk again.

I don't know how to bring up about Jason being open for a relationship since Ethan had never told me he was interested in him.

Till we got to the dormitory, nobody initiated a conversation. I knew he was quiet just like me but he would still had said something assuming he wasn't bothered about anything.

He suddenly stopped when we were few steps away from our dorm room.

" Adrian," he silently called.

I turned to him.

" Yes," I said. I was already expecting him to say something.

" Do... you think... Jason likes you?" he stammered and asked.

My eyes widened in surprise.

To be continued...