Have You Heard? I'm a Nerd. (EDITING)

Ch9: $wag

"A is for appeal. You need to make people like you. Not that you're not likeable already, but if you're gonna hang with the popular crowd you have to live up to their standards. Lastly, G for Gerard Butler."

I cut in at that point. "What does Gerard Butler have to do with this?"

"Good question, Tammie. Gerard Butler is hot and we need to make Jess look hot."

Jess started coughing uncontrollably. I don't blame him. "But isn't Gerard kind of old?" I reasoned.

"I couldn't think of anything else!" Sydney defended.

She continued on without further disturbances.  "Now by the end of the week you'll be popular material. We'll eventually let you know about the rest of the plan but for now we concentrate on you. That's about all!! Unless you're my beloved chihuahua leave my room because I have to do homework. "

I sighed as I gently lifted Spanky off my lap. After saying good-bye I dragged Jess out the bedroom.

"Leaving already kids?" Syd's mother queried as we hurried past her.

All I gave for a reason is "Yup, super busy." Then we left through the front door.

~~~~

Me and Jess decided to delay our trip home and head over to the park. I mean home is where your book pack is full of work and waiting for attention. Not my idea of fun. 

I broke the silence that had fallen between us. "Are you excited, Jess?" I nudged him with my elbow. Maybe I nudged him a little too hard because he started rubbing his side tenderly.

"Umm, I guess. It's all very new."

"You'll get use to it. If it helps it's not easy being the new girl."

"Yeah, but that's something that fades away. Next year you won't be new." He pointed out.

"I've moved about six times in my life. I very well might be the new student. It's not something I'm crazy for since next year is senior year. Staying here permanently is what I hope for."

"Wow, s-six?" He asked amazed.

"Yeah, but lets talk about something else. Or better yet we can practice your people skills right now."

We just reached the entrance to Oak Dale Park. It's the same place I visited last time and it looked very much the same. The water in the huge fountain still glistened magnificently and the white benches were clean as ever. My eyes darted around looking for an appropriate target. Old couple? Nah, too easy. Muscular biker boy? Jess is too young to die. Sweet innocent teenage girl? Right on.

I twisted Jess's body so he could catch sight of the girl sitting under an oak tree. She had raven black hair that curled at edges, and a petite frame. Her nose was a bit small but her wide eyes took the attention away from it. Her attire was a casual dress that was plain white and had a black belt wrapping around the waist line. She was reading a book and looked friendly enough to me.

"Do you think she's pretty?" I asked Jess.

He stuttered slightly. Well, when does he never stutter?  "I-I guess so."

"Come here then."

I turned him back to me and started messing with his hair.

"What are you-"

I shushed him and got back to work. I combed through his bangs with my fingers and straightened his posture. I yanked his shirt tail out of his jeans to give him a more laid back look and I snatched his wide frame glasses from his button like nose. The finishing result was decent enough though I would really like to burn his tatty tennis shoes.