His Favorite Nerd

Three Years But Never Too Late

Chapter 10

:⁠-[ETHAN'S POV]:⁠-

FLASHBACK

I barely knew anything about Rosewood Academy when Lucas dragged me to Freshers' Night with him. We had only been roommates for a week at that time.

I hadn't gotten along with him on the first day. Lucas was loud, bubbly, and always cracking jokes, while I preferred keeping to myself. Somehow, though, he managed to get me talking, and within a few days, we became friends.

That night, I stood among hundreds of freshers inside the crowded hall, watching the performances on stage. Students cheered, screamed, and clapped along with every act.

Then the final performer walked onto the stage. Everything around me seemed to fade away.

My eyes followed him as he made his way toward the keyboard. While the crowd applauded, I remained completely still. I couldn't look away.

His features were almost unreal. A sharp jawline, striking green eyes that seemed to glow beneath the stage lights, and lips so perfect they looked sculpted.

He wasn't just handsome, but he was also breathtaking.

For a moment, I forgot where I was.

I had never believed in love at first sight. But as I stood there watching him sit behind the keyboard, I felt something shift inside me. Something I've never felt before.

A smile slowly appeared on my face.

I was in love with him.

FLASHBACK ENDED

It's been over three years now since I developed a crush on Jason Donovan. At the beginning, it was just a crush, but before I knew it, it became something deeper.

Before, I thought having him around was enough, but during my sophomore year, I started wanting something more than that.

I knew I wasn't going to confess to him, but I did everything I could to gain his attention. Meanwhile, he only saw me as the class captain.

I never told Lucas about my feelings for Jason. Keeping things to myself had always been easier.

Then senior year started. Out of nowhere, Lucas became obsessed with the idea of dating Jason before graduation. I knew Lucas wasn't serious. He never was. He flirted, dated, got bored, and moved on. That was simply who he was.

And there was no way I was going to let Jason become another one of his temporary interests.

Confessing my feelings to Jason seemed like the best option before Lucas made a move. I had already planned how I was going to do it.

Then the football team arrived a few weeks ago, and Jason started getting close to Adrian.

At first, I thought he was only trying to be friends with him. But his actions always suggested otherwise. He'd smile at Adrian when he thought nobody was watching. He bought him snacks while returning from the cafeteria.

And after today's test, I saw him rush toward Adrian and throw an arm around his neck. I pretended not to notice. But I did.

Jealousy settled heavily in my chest.

The last time I visited the football club was during a competition last year between our school and another team. That was also the last time I was there. Or maybe I should say I only ever went there whenever the school had an event.

I was never invited.

I wished I could be Adrian, being invited by Jason. But who am I? He didn't even know I existed.

During dinner, I couldn't stop staring at Jason and Adrian sitting side by side while his friends sat opposite them. They exchanged food, Smiled at each other and talked comfortably.

Every little interaction felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest.

Maybe this was what jealousy felt like. Jason and I weren't together. We had never been together. Yet after liking him for three years, I couldn't stop myself from feeling that way.

I called out to Adrian after I saw them heading toward the dormitory. Even though Adrian turned around, a part of me wished Jason would do the same. He didn't.

Instead, Adrian said something to them, and Jason smiled before leaving with his friends.

" Hey," I greeted as soon as I reached him.

" Hi," Adrian replied with a smile.

" I saw you with the football team earlier."

" Oh... yeah, that's true."

I nodded, and we continued walking. I expected him to talk about being with Jason and his friends, but he didn't. Maybe he stayed quiet because I never asked about them.

The silence between us felt unusual. I didn't think it had ever been that quiet before, not even when we first met. Maybe because I couldn't stop thinking about Jason.

Before I knew it, we had already reached the dormitory. A few students walked past us, probably returning from the cafeteria just like we were.

There was a question I desperately wanted to ask Adrian. If I went to sleep without knowing the answer, it would probably keep me awake all night.

My biggest fear was seeing Jason and Adrian become something more than friends.

I couldn't handle that. I stopped walking when we were few steps away from our dorm room.

" Adrian." I called as I looked at him.

He turned toward me.

" Yes?"

" Do... you think Jason likes you?" My heart suddenly pushed the question out before I could stop it.

" Jason?" He blinked. "Why would you ask me that?"

I looked away. Maybe I had made a mistake by asking. But curiosity had already taken over.

"Just tell me." I said, prompting Adrian to chuckle.

Why was he laughing?

" Jason is just being friendly," he replied. "We're nothing more than friends. He acts like that with everyone he's close to."

I didn't know whether to believe him or not. But I hoped he was right.

" Oh... okay." I said. As we continued walking, I already knew he would ask why.

" Why did you ask?" he questioned.

I had already prepared an answer.

" Nothing," I lied.

Adrian smiled and didn't push further. It felt like he already knew the truth. Maybe he had noticed how strange I acted whenever Jason's name came up.

" While we were at the cafeteria earlier," Adrian suddenly said, "Tyler told us he wanted to arrange a date for everyone during the break." I listened carefully. "But Jason was the only one who agreed."

I froze.

My eyes widened immediately.

If Jason ended up liking whoever showed up for that date... Then my chance would be gone.

Adrian placed a hand on my shoulder. " If you don't want him with someone else," he said, " then win him over." he winked and then he walked away and disappeared into the room.

My phone nearly slipped from my hand. That smart-a*s definitely knew how I felt about Jason.

A smile slowly appeared on my face. Warmth spread through my chest.

For days, I had convinced myself I was already losing Jason. Now Adrian had given me something I hadn't felt in a while.

Hope.

His words echoed inside my head.

" If you don't want him with someone else, then win him over."

I will.

Around midnight, after my roommates had fallen asleep, I got out of bed and sat at my desk.

I decided that writing Jason an anonymous letter would be the best way to invite him on a date during the mid-semester break.

I picked up a pen and immediately started writing. A few lines later, I crumpled the paper and threw it away.

Too formal.

I grabbed another sheet and started again. Then threw that one away too.

Too straightforward.

The third attempt ended with me accidentally writing my name. I immediately trashed that one as well. There was no way I planned on signing the letter. That would ruin everything.

After seven failed attempts, I finally got it right. I stared down at the finished letter.

" If you'd like to spend part of the break with me, meet me at Bismuth Cafe in Silver Lake at 2 p.m. on the fifth of May. I won't force you to come, but I'd be happy if you did."

A smile spread across my face. I folded the letter carefully and slipped it inside an envelope before placing it in my backpack.

Then I went to sleep. That night, I dreamed about how beautiful our date would be. Maybe it would become the best moment of my life.

***

The following morning, I woke up early because I planned to slip the letter into Jason's locker before anyone arrived in class.

I stood in front of the mirror, knotting my tie, but Lucas's singing from inside the bathroom blared in my ears. It was only 6:30 a.m., and that guy had already woken up to get ready for school.

That was unlike him. The Lucas I knew would usually start getting ready an hour later. I guessed he was happy since the break started tomorrow. He loved vacations more than his studies.

Meanwhile, Adrian was still asleep on his bed, though he might wake up at any moment.

My eyes snapped toward Lucas as he walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his torso and water dripping from his body. He was holding his toothbrush and practically singing into it while swinging his body around, causing water to splash everywhere.

" Break it, shake it, feel the beat!" he sang loudly while shuffling his feet across the floor.

I slowly turned toward Adrian, who had buried his face deep into his pillow and was using his fingers to block his ears. Lucas wouldn't allow that boy to have a proper rest.

I guessed Lucas might have been possessed overnight.

I only shook my head and looked away. He wouldn't stop even if I told him to.

" Why are you going to school so early?" Lucas asked, probably done with his singing.

I looked at him, and he suddenly shielded his face with both hands.

" That's too bright," he exaggerated as if a ray of light had just shone on him. "Move back a little."

I scoffed and remained where I was.

" What's wrong?" I decided to ask, though I expected nonsense in return.

" You look so handsome today. My roommate must be in love," he said with a grin. "Someone must have melted your frozen heart."

He was right, though he had only just noticed it.

" Really?" I managed to ask, briefly locking eyes with him.

" Of course... not. You look like my butt," he answered before bursting into laughter. Then he stuck out his tongue and collapsed onto the bed.

I shot him the deadliest glare imaginable. A few seconds ago, I thought he was serious. I definitely would have murdered him long ago if it were possible.

" That reminds me," Lucas suddenly said. I didn't bother looking at him. "I saw you writing something over and over again last night. You trashed most of them, and I didn't find them in the trashcan this morning."

I froze.

He must have seen me last night. Thankfully, I had burned everything before he woke up this morning.

" Who are you writing a letter to?" he asked.

Lucas must not know it was for Jason, let alone find out about my feelings for him. I planned to tell him eventually. Just not now.

I rubbed my palms together nervously and slowly turned around, putting on the best smile I could manage. Meanwhile, Lucas's face remained surprisingly serious.

" Umm... Mr. Liam, the fencing club instructor. He told me to write down the things we might need at the club," I said, using the only excuse that came to mind.

I didn't know if he would believe me, but at least we were both in the fencing club.

" But why were you writing it at midnight?" he asked suspiciously.

" I forgot about it during the day and only remembered when I woke up in the middle of the night." I gave what I thought was the perfect response.

Hopefully, he wouldn't ask any more questions.

Lucas stared at me, his mouth twitching to one side as if he was considering something. Then he broke into a smile. I smiled back.

I needed to tell him the truth before he figured it out himself.

I left the dormitory as early as I could, though I had lied to my roommates and told them the principal wanted to see me.

When I got to the classroom, it was empty, just as I expected. But I still needed to act quickly because some students always arrived early.

I dropped my backpack onto my seat and pulled out the envelope containing the letter.

The moment I reached Jason's locker, I glanced around to make sure nobody was watching. My heart pounded as I carefully slipped the envelope inside. A smile tugged at my lips. It was done.

My heart nearly stopped when I heard the classroom door open and three students walked inside.

" That was close," I muttered under my breath, thankful I had managed to slip the letter into Jason's locker before they arrived.

As I settled into my seat, I glanced toward Jason's locker one last time.

For the first time in three years, it felt like I was finally doing something right, instead of watching him from a distance.

I just didn't know whether it would change my life for the better... Or completely ruin it.

To be continued...