"Are you going to have your lunch in the cafeteria?" Valerie Lawrence, one of my classmates walked with me. She's short, pale complexion, slim and blonde. She was one of the nerds in school but she's not wearing thick eyeglasses like me. She was just smart and she loved books and books only.
"I'll just buy myself some food." I answered shortly and continued walking until I reached the long line to the counter.
"Can I eat with you?" she asked again and I just shrugged my shoulders.
As I waited for the queue to move, I heard laughter from the table near me and I didn't need to turn my head and check on them to know who they are because I knew very well that it was Mark's gang and my stepsister Debra's friends who were in there, laughing out loud like they owned the place.
Valerie who was standing behind me poked my shoulder. "I saw your name on the list." She told me, probably talking about the list of who's hot and who's not. "You were at third place and I was second. Congrats to us!" she said sarcastically.
I smiled at her knowing that she wasn't feeling bad about it. It's nice to know that aside from me, there's someone who's not affected, too. I guess she was also into focusing to her studies to excel in academics instead of feeling bullied because of that stupid list.
"I understand myself being in the list because I'm really a nerd. But you, Stella? Seriously? I know this bitch stepsister of yours is the reason why you're always on that list." She whispered into my ear as we moved from the line.
"Maybe because I am ugly." I shrugged my shoulders. "And I don't attend parties and outings outside school."
"Oh my god! Who said you're ugly?" she exclaimed. "I know you're beautiful, Stella. Even more beautiful than your sister. If you remove those thick glasses of yours and your hair—" she tried to touch my hair but I swat her hand away.
"Please, don't!" I snapped and she was shocked by my behaviour. "I'm sorry." I lowered down my gaze and proceeded to buy a bread and banana and then left Valerie dumbfounded.
I walked into the hallway of the school and turned left at the far corner to where the staircase going to the rooftop was located.
When I reached the top, I inhaled the fresh air and exhaled softly. I felt like I was free from any problem in the world. Whenever I was here, I felt safe, peaceful, and quiet. That's why I loved it here being alone, because it helped me focus. I don't like distractions or unnecessary noise when thinking or other people around me irritates me every time they whispered to each other then looked at me and laughed.
Being alone helped me rearrange my thoughts and makes it easier to see what I really needed and wanted. I just loved being here because the silence was calming and allowed me to be able to concentrate on my thoughts or to be able to meditate about everything that's happening in my life.
I folded my arms to wrap the cardigan tighter around me to protect myself from the cold breeze as I sat on the bench and started eating the bread and banana I bought in the cafeteria.
--------************.............
I was walking back to my classroom when I saw Tyler from the other end of the hallway. And he was smiling wide and waving at me…what? My heart jolted, and my pulse pounded foolishly. Why was he smiling at me all of a sudden? He'd been bullying me for years now and I thought he hates me? What happened?
I felt like I was in a dream, everything turned blurry, like magic. Suddenly, there was only Tyler and me, staring at each other as we moved closer together. He gave me a breathtaking smile that sent my pulses racing, and I returned his smile shyly.
But I was woken up in reality when someone accidentally nudged me on the shoulder. It was Maxine Cooper, the school's Miss Perfect sexy cheerleader. She has everything a teenage girl could ever wish for. She has a pretty face, perfect figure, popularity, fame, and fortune. Plus a boyfriend who's madly in love with her. And did I mention that she ranked second in the list of who's hot and who's not?
"Oops…Sorry, nerd!" she said and continued walking towards Tyler.
Reality set in. It was Maxine he was waving at, not me.
Maxine Cooper had been ruling this school in almost forever. The moment I stepped into this school, her name was always everywhere. From the school buildings that were commemorated to her father's name up to the school's paper wherein she has her own section.
You will always notice whenever she arrived. Everything went in slow motion. Everyone would step aside once she set her feet on the ground. The crowded hallway split into two so that she and her minions could walk in.
Everyone watched her in amusement and awe as if she was a true royalty or a Hollywood celebrity. But in reality, she's just some kind of a replica in some teen movies.
I turned my heels and walked in the other direction to avoid them. I could always handle Tyler's bullying me but the way he unintentionally broke my heart whenever he's with Maxine felt so different. I felt pain and my heart felt like it was bleeding, literally.
"Class, listen! We have a new transferee student here, so please be good to him." Mr. Twain announced in front of the class holding a piece of paper, probably the new student's profile and information. "Mr. Reid, please introduce yourself."My eyes narrowed when the guy Mr. Twain called entered the room confidently. His eyes framed with a thick rimmed glasses roamed around the room and he bowed and slightly smile when he met mine. He was the guy in the halls, yesterday. The guy who wanted to be my friend."Good morning. I'm Vince, 17." He shortly introduced himself, making the whole class fell in silence.But I heard Violet whispered "another nerd" to Debra and I saw them looked at my way with a scorn face."What school are you from, Vince?" Mr. Twain asked."Manchester Academy."The young teacher nodded. "Okay, take a seat beside Miss Hemmings." He pointed at my direction, but Debra's in front of me and the seat next to her was also vacant so I assumed she's the "Miss Hemmings" Mr. T
TYLER's POVA big fucking F was written in sticky red on the front of my Math test paper. I internally groaned and stared right back up at my teacher, Mr. Clark. He did not look impressed.I never had a problem with Mr. Clark. In fact, he was one of the nicest teachers in school. However, I found at time he pretended he was a pre-school teacher rather than a high school teacher, thinking we would enjoy watching us colouring in pictures of numbers or the question-answer game where you threw a ball around the classroom, even using his long wooden stick to pick on student. God!Nonetheless, he was better than most teachers in the school."I don't know what to say, Tyler." He said with a deep frown, his glasses almost falling because he got a snub nose. I always wanted to suggest him to wear contacts but, it's his life though. "This is the third fail in a row. Is there any problem?" only that I was shit at Math but that was already evident."I'm trying." That was a lie. I wasn't trying. M
TYLER's POVAfter lunch, I got a note from the reception telling me to come to the Guidance Counselor's office. What's my violation again? I was there in the office yesterday because I got in trouble saving Stella ‘the nerd' from Mark's gang and now this."Why did you have to defend that nerd from them? We're in trouble now!" Kevin said as we followed Mr. Clark yesterday in the Guidance office."It's your fault, bro! You and Justin attack them first!"As far as I could remember, Kevin and Justin attacked Mark and his friends when they saw Mark held me by the collar and I challenged him to punch me but I knew he won't dare to do that to me because he knew who I am and what my dad's contribution in this school.But because my friends were assholes as I was, they lunged into Mark because they thought he's gonna punch me, and that sent us in trouble and ended up in the office. Thankfully, the principal just gave us a warning and if this kind of situation will happen again, we'll going to
"Where have you been?" Maxine asked when I met her at the hall."I went into the men's room." I lied. I hate lying to her."Did you talk to Mr. Clark about your grades?""Not yet. Maybe tomorrow." I answered. "Let's go home?" I asked and placed my arm on her shoulder."Yeah, sure." She smiled as she wrapped her arm around my waist and we walked into the parking area to where my car was parked.I dropped Maxine in front of their house before I went home. She asked me to stay a little bit because she has something to say but I didn't have the mood today. I just want to stay inside my room and take a rest."How's school?" mom asked from the kitchen when she saw me entering the living room."Fine." I answered shortly, throwing my backpack and plopping my body on the couch, lying my head on the headrest."I saw Justin's mom this morning. She said that Justin failed in his Chemistry exam. What about you, baby? Did you pass it?" mom asked as she walked towards the living room and sat on the
TYLER's POV"I'm so glad you considered my suggestion, Tyler." Mr. Clark smiled brightly. He was currently teaching an Algebra. Luckily, his class was busy discussing something for their group projects, chatting away, unable to hear our conversation."What do I need to do, Mr. Clark?" I asked feeling nervous.He smiled and took out a pen and a paper. It was a chart with dozens of student's names."We will assign you a tutor and then you can both can figure out a schedule to follow. It would be pretty simple, let me see." He adjusted his eyeglasses and tapped the pencil onto the wooden desk and scanned through the names on the paper. I waited to see what nightmare I'd be paired up with."Here's one! Valerie Lawrence. She's an excellent student and has currently tutor someone else. Got B+ if I'm not mistaken." He pointed over to a short and slim girl who was now watching me like a prey.Although she didn't seem so bad, I couldn't concentrate on my study if she would flirt with me like t
I was drowned in a beautiful dream when I heard someone banging at my door loudly. "Stella!" Debra, my step sister shouted, her palm repeatedly slamming at the wooden door of my room. "Stella, wake up! You have to iron my clothes! I'm going to be late for school!"I yawned, taking time to stretch my limbs before I set my foot on the ground and walked slowly towards the door. When I opened it, I was met by Debra's frowning face and knitted eyebrows."What took you so long to open your door! Didn't you hear me?" she yelled, her index finger pointed at my forehead.I swat her hand away and she gasped. "Mommy!" She then called for Aunt Lucy. "You're fucking dead, bitch!" she smirked and once again called for my stepmother. "Mommy!""Debra, what's your problem shouting at five in the morning! Everyone is still sleeping!" Aunt Lucy yelled back, irritably. Her eyes, half-open, her hair messy and a half –dry saliva was seen from the corner of her lips down to her chin. Gross!"Stella, she hit
Tyler Lewis was inside the black convertible car. He was the most popular guy in school, a heartthrob. Tall and handsome with a beautiful and lean muscular body that countless girls admired him and sought for his attention. He walked with confidence and grace. I liked him, too. And at the same time, I hate him because he was a spoiled snobby kid born with a silver spoon who thought he could do anything he wanted and bully whoever he wanted because his family was rich.He parked his car at the parking area and went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark brown hair glistening, obviously wet from the shower. He didn't remove the dark shades that covered his deep azure eyes making him more handsome as he walked down the hallway and was greeted by his best friends Justin Miller and Kevin Torres. The three of them were inseparable since pre-school, and they played together in the football team.I continued walking in the lobby and turned the o
I watched Debra as she swiftly ran outside the room following the boy who called her. I secretly followed them and hid myself behind the concrete wall in the hallway and there I saw how Debra slapped everyone except for Dave.But when her hand was about to touch Tyler's face, she froze when he looked at her murderously. "Don't you dare lay your hand on me or you'll regret it." Tyler spat dangerously."Debra, stop it!" Dave grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Tyler. "It was Stella who started all of this."Debra's brows furrowed. "That bitch!"How could Dave say I was the one who started it when they were the one who blocked my way and stopped me from walking. I spun around and left when I saw Mr. Twain coming their way. "Miss Hemmings!" he yelled and I made a halt thinking I was the one he was referring to but when I looked up, he was looking directly at Debra. "What are you doing here? Go back inside the classroom, now! And you!" he pointed at the boys angrily who had just foug
TYLER's POV"I'm so glad you considered my suggestion, Tyler." Mr. Clark smiled brightly. He was currently teaching an Algebra. Luckily, his class was busy discussing something for their group projects, chatting away, unable to hear our conversation."What do I need to do, Mr. Clark?" I asked feeling nervous.He smiled and took out a pen and a paper. It was a chart with dozens of student's names."We will assign you a tutor and then you can both can figure out a schedule to follow. It would be pretty simple, let me see." He adjusted his eyeglasses and tapped the pencil onto the wooden desk and scanned through the names on the paper. I waited to see what nightmare I'd be paired up with."Here's one! Valerie Lawrence. She's an excellent student and has currently tutor someone else. Got B+ if I'm not mistaken." He pointed over to a short and slim girl who was now watching me like a prey.Although she didn't seem so bad, I couldn't concentrate on my study if she would flirt with me like t
"Where have you been?" Maxine asked when I met her at the hall."I went into the men's room." I lied. I hate lying to her."Did you talk to Mr. Clark about your grades?""Not yet. Maybe tomorrow." I answered. "Let's go home?" I asked and placed my arm on her shoulder."Yeah, sure." She smiled as she wrapped her arm around my waist and we walked into the parking area to where my car was parked.I dropped Maxine in front of their house before I went home. She asked me to stay a little bit because she has something to say but I didn't have the mood today. I just want to stay inside my room and take a rest."How's school?" mom asked from the kitchen when she saw me entering the living room."Fine." I answered shortly, throwing my backpack and plopping my body on the couch, lying my head on the headrest."I saw Justin's mom this morning. She said that Justin failed in his Chemistry exam. What about you, baby? Did you pass it?" mom asked as she walked towards the living room and sat on the
TYLER's POVAfter lunch, I got a note from the reception telling me to come to the Guidance Counselor's office. What's my violation again? I was there in the office yesterday because I got in trouble saving Stella ‘the nerd' from Mark's gang and now this."Why did you have to defend that nerd from them? We're in trouble now!" Kevin said as we followed Mr. Clark yesterday in the Guidance office."It's your fault, bro! You and Justin attack them first!"As far as I could remember, Kevin and Justin attacked Mark and his friends when they saw Mark held me by the collar and I challenged him to punch me but I knew he won't dare to do that to me because he knew who I am and what my dad's contribution in this school.But because my friends were assholes as I was, they lunged into Mark because they thought he's gonna punch me, and that sent us in trouble and ended up in the office. Thankfully, the principal just gave us a warning and if this kind of situation will happen again, we'll going to
TYLER's POVA big fucking F was written in sticky red on the front of my Math test paper. I internally groaned and stared right back up at my teacher, Mr. Clark. He did not look impressed.I never had a problem with Mr. Clark. In fact, he was one of the nicest teachers in school. However, I found at time he pretended he was a pre-school teacher rather than a high school teacher, thinking we would enjoy watching us colouring in pictures of numbers or the question-answer game where you threw a ball around the classroom, even using his long wooden stick to pick on student. God!Nonetheless, he was better than most teachers in the school."I don't know what to say, Tyler." He said with a deep frown, his glasses almost falling because he got a snub nose. I always wanted to suggest him to wear contacts but, it's his life though. "This is the third fail in a row. Is there any problem?" only that I was shit at Math but that was already evident."I'm trying." That was a lie. I wasn't trying. M
"Class, listen! We have a new transferee student here, so please be good to him." Mr. Twain announced in front of the class holding a piece of paper, probably the new student's profile and information. "Mr. Reid, please introduce yourself."My eyes narrowed when the guy Mr. Twain called entered the room confidently. His eyes framed with a thick rimmed glasses roamed around the room and he bowed and slightly smile when he met mine. He was the guy in the halls, yesterday. The guy who wanted to be my friend."Good morning. I'm Vince, 17." He shortly introduced himself, making the whole class fell in silence.But I heard Violet whispered "another nerd" to Debra and I saw them looked at my way with a scorn face."What school are you from, Vince?" Mr. Twain asked."Manchester Academy."The young teacher nodded. "Okay, take a seat beside Miss Hemmings." He pointed at my direction, but Debra's in front of me and the seat next to her was also vacant so I assumed she's the "Miss Hemmings" Mr. T
"Are you going to have your lunch in the cafeteria?" Valerie Lawrence, one of my classmates walked with me. She's short, pale complexion, slim and blonde. She was one of the nerds in school but she's not wearing thick eyeglasses like me. She was just smart and she loved books and books only."I'll just buy myself some food." I answered shortly and continued walking until I reached the long line to the counter."Can I eat with you?" she asked again and I just shrugged my shoulders.As I waited for the queue to move, I heard laughter from the table near me and I didn't need to turn my head and check on them to know who they are because I knew very well that it was Mark's gang and my stepsister Debra's friends who were in there, laughing out loud like they owned the place.Valerie who was standing behind me poked my shoulder. "I saw your name on the list." She told me, probably talking about the list of who's hot and who's not. "You were at third place and I was second. Congrats to us!"
"Miss, you drop your pen." A short guy told me, handing me my pen.I gave him a small smile. "Thank you…" I said as I snatched the pen in a hurry but before I could take a step to leave, a voice stopped me."Hey, nerd!" Tyler called, referring to me, who else.I turned around and I was shocked because he was too close that our faces almost collided. I could smell his scent, a combination of soap and cologne, and the warmness of his body vibrated through me, like a current. I had never been this close to him ever, and the feeling was so electrifying.I stepped back but he grabbed my arm stopping me from moving. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "Still checking if you're on the list of who's hot?" he smirked, his dark eyes were sharp and assessing, holding my eyes still. But I could not continue looking at him—his stares and nearness made my knees so weak. It would be embarrassing if I fell down at his feet. "Dream on, nerd!"He released my arm and pushed me making me stumble back a
I watched Debra as she swiftly ran outside the room following the boy who called her. I secretly followed them and hid myself behind the concrete wall in the hallway and there I saw how Debra slapped everyone except for Dave.But when her hand was about to touch Tyler's face, she froze when he looked at her murderously. "Don't you dare lay your hand on me or you'll regret it." Tyler spat dangerously."Debra, stop it!" Dave grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Tyler. "It was Stella who started all of this."Debra's brows furrowed. "That bitch!"How could Dave say I was the one who started it when they were the one who blocked my way and stopped me from walking. I spun around and left when I saw Mr. Twain coming their way. "Miss Hemmings!" he yelled and I made a halt thinking I was the one he was referring to but when I looked up, he was looking directly at Debra. "What are you doing here? Go back inside the classroom, now! And you!" he pointed at the boys angrily who had just foug
Tyler Lewis was inside the black convertible car. He was the most popular guy in school, a heartthrob. Tall and handsome with a beautiful and lean muscular body that countless girls admired him and sought for his attention. He walked with confidence and grace. I liked him, too. And at the same time, I hate him because he was a spoiled snobby kid born with a silver spoon who thought he could do anything he wanted and bully whoever he wanted because his family was rich.He parked his car at the parking area and went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark brown hair glistening, obviously wet from the shower. He didn't remove the dark shades that covered his deep azure eyes making him more handsome as he walked down the hallway and was greeted by his best friends Justin Miller and Kevin Torres. The three of them were inseparable since pre-school, and they played together in the football team.I continued walking in the lobby and turned the o