Chapter 1

 A Nerd in a mean girls world.

Tuesday - Always felt longer than Monday for some reasons unknown to me. I gasped as soon as I spotted Almira flirting as usual. As soon as she saw me, her wide smile appeared and ran to me. I could already guess what she was going to say next and I already had the perfect answer for her, same as always.

"My answer still stands! Came early today?"

She sulked and spoke. "Coco! I don't understand why you don't wanna submit your project. I saw it, it's perfect!"

I shook my head and grabbed her hand, making our way to class. "I don't feel like it. You know me, I rather keep up with my unpopular self!"

Almira was not pleased with my response instead went on convincing me.

"I know you will win. Come on, Chloe. Please, do it and if you win, you could move out as you always wanted. The money is a lot, think about it!"

Money? Everyone likes money!

"Let's go to class"

I saw her pout before she went ahead of me. Almira Kaiff Thompson is my best friend or the only friend I had. My life revolves mostly around books and as a result, am always labelled as the 'OBN' meaning Only blonde Nerd. I always topped my class since childhood to University. Thanks to the good grades I managed to get a scholarship at New Castle university within my town.

I followed right through and as soon as I entered the class an egg came landing on my face. Yuck! You don't wanna be me! I don't even wanna be me right now!

"Aaargh!" I yell out with frustration as everyone decides to show their white and not so white teeth while laughing.

"Seriously?" I ask one in particular.

It seems the hyenas found my state more hilarious as they went on. Ally rushed to my side, using her scarf to help me did of the egg.

"I am very sorry Coco. The egg stinks and I don't know but I think it's rotten judging by the stench. And if am not wrong, those trolls did this."

I was too embarrassed to speak. Too angry to think and I furiously stormed to where the suspects were. A group of six rich girls who despite always falling almost all classes never missed chances to annoy people. They called themselves Queens. Ally and I named them trolls.

These girls had it all; from designer clothing to expensive cars. Whenever anyone reported them, the school ends up suspending you instead of those trolls. Rumours had it their parents paid off the Chancellor.

"Why did you do that, Annie?" I scoffed.

She laughed it off as if it was nothing. "Hahaha. Look what we have here. The stinky-nerdy-eggy-queen, Chloe herself!"

People found that humour except for my best friend Ally.

"Shut up you fools!" Ally shouted then grabbed my hand and whispered, "Let's go, she's not worth it"

Wanda stood up and pushed Almira aside then she looked at me as if I was filth and shouted. "This is an innocent warning, OBN! Stay away from the contest if you don't want more eggs becoming your new oil!"

I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean?"

Another troll, Larissa interjected. "Go find out. Oh! And stay away from Matt."

Matt? Where did I hear that name from? I don't recall any Matt.

"I don't care about any Matt or whoever you just said. I want to know why the hell did you throw an egg at me?" I shouted.

Annie stood close to me, threatening. "I felt like it. Listen here Chloe, don't even think of taking part in that contest because I will make it possible for you to show your face on campus, ever. I also doubt a lowlife like you has ever travelled out of this city. So imagine how out of the country will feel? Boring. Like you! You should decline professor Jacob's idea of submitting your stupid project or else.."

I may not be rich but I wasn't going to her insult her

I flared up. "Or else what, Annie?"

"That's enough ladies, please be sitted!" Mr Jacob my favourite professor walked in.

The class was silent as everyone rushed to sit. I sat at my usual spot next to my best friend. "All of you had two months to submit your projects and today being the deadline, I still want to remind those who haven't that you have until the end of the day. You can either hand it now or later" Mr Jacob said.

I turned to Almira and whispered. "You know what friend, I will submit my project. Let's see what those stupid trolls can do."

She chuckled making her earn few stares mostly from the cute boys. "That's the way to go sister"

Throughout the whole session, I was so busy editing my project. The fetor was strong that the professor also noticed and he asked me to go and freshen up. Before leaving, I handed in my project and judging by the trolls' faces, they were angry. I didn't care.

Later that afternoon we were called for a briefing by the Vice-Chancellor. The hall was fully packed with students. The contest might have been for our class but students in other faculties were welcomed to join.

"Afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I'm shocked to see only a few projects were submitted. Well for those who did am glad and congratulations for taking a big step. These projects are not only a contest but will be counted as your final year work."

People murmured.

He continued. "Yes, those who handed their projects would not be given another project for your final year. If you didn't, you will have to write your project and reports as final year exams. Any questions so far?"

Someone asked. "Aside from the money, what else does the winner get?"

Ally nudged my shoulder and I turned to see the trolls looking at me.

"The contest was originally for IT and Computer Engineering students but since few people submitted we offered the other faculties too. Initially, we had a branded tech trophy and 20000 $ but after thorough discussion with my board we decide to add a 14 day trip to Belize...." Students were cheering and he had to pause then continued. "And a job recommendation to the state's best company"

More than ever, I was determined to win the project. This was my final year and I needed to pass to get a job at a reputable company and hopefully move out of that house. After struggling from foster home to foster home, I was finally adopted by the Randalls. They were nice to me and treated me well but sadly the wife died when giving birth. Mr Randall was devasted and I cried for the woman who I had grown to love and call mother. Soon after, he married again and his new wife always made sure I remember that I had no parents. I hated it there but her two children whom I considered my siblings always encouraged me. I hid all my pain and sorrows in studying that's why I became a nerd. If only I got a job I would move far away from them and never come back.

That evening as I walked home, I kept chanting a prayer for the contest. The whole night I stared at the ceiling while laying on the bed and imagined myself far away on the beach. I thought of what I would do if I won and smiled. I had hope for what life had in store for me.