My Nerd Project

Chapter 12: It's What I Think That Counts

“You never did tell me what happened between you two.” Kevin said as he stopped texting and put his phone away.

“I’m just not good enough.” I said as I turned my back on him. “So what kind of music am I putting on this thing?”

“I usually go with alternative rock, or something with a beat will be good. Come on let’s hurry before Jesse grabs all the cold cokes.”

~~

It was the next day, and we were at the gym with some football players. I downloaded this free app called JEFitt, and it’s actually really helpful. It lets you choose which body part you want to exercise and has pictures and everything! You don’t even really need a trainer, a spotter for sure though. If you don’t know what a spotter is, it’s someone who stays with you to make sure you’re getting help when you carried too many weights. Who knew Kevin could actually teach?

“Alan, let’s start, what’s the thing you feel needs the most help?” I really appreciated his help. He chose to be my spotter for today.

“You mean besides my friends?” I did indirectly call him and Jesse my friends..

“You know you’re really mean to us.” I narrowed my eyes at Jesse who was lifting dumbbells I think they were called? It didn’t really ruin my mood though so I replied with a smile.

“You do realize you kept pushing me into lockers then you ‘put me to sleep’!” The gym got quiet as the fellow footballers looked over at Jesse. I heard a mutter sounding like ‘Maybe that’s why she cheated on him’. My eyes went wide as I realized what everyone thought I meant plus my quotations gestures didn’t help at all. “That’s not what I meant!” I looked at Jesse apologetic and saw he was beyond mad at the person who muttered about the girl cheater or whatever. Kevin scoffed at the comment yet responded to me.

“Ignore it Alan, they all know you’re ‘heads over heels’ over someone.” His smile came back, “And we know she isn’t Jesse.” Jesse rolled his eyes at this. Some jocks were still muttering things, so I felt the need to defend myself.

“I just meant it as in he knocked me out. I was talking slang.” Saying it like that made it sound like I wanted recognition or something. Kevin nodded at me.

“I thought so. It’s actually ‘knocked out’ not ‘knocked me out’. Only two words.” I should add these to my pocket dictionary..

“Wouldn’t it be simpler to say ‘asleep’?” I ignored everyone else in the room not caring what they’re thinking anymore.

“Do you want simple or do you want cool?” Kevin started me off with bench pressing. I was only lifting five pounds right now on each side.

“I’m guessing simple is out?” Kevin nodded once again. This really was feeling like a lesson..

“Good boy.” I wouldn’t be surprised if he patted my head.

 “Way to make me sound like a dog.” I muttered as I lifted it.

“That’s what she said.” Jesse shouted out of nowhere.

”What has Kevin treated girls like that too?” Jesse started to laugh.

“He wishes.” Kevin left my side to punch Jesse.

“Am I missing something?” Something tells me I don’t want to know what. Who would wish to treat a girl like a pet?

“No..” They both said  simultaneously with grins on their faces. Yup, I don’t want to know.

“Now, let’s discuss girls while we work out. Can you multitask or what?”  He was like a teacher putting us on track again. It was kind of impressive or maybe I just had low expectations.

“Yeah, I’ve been telling physic knock-knock jokes while I play chess.” This was my time to impress the teacher. I loved to do that!

“There were so many things wrong with that sentence.” Jesse stated as if disappointed. His arm kept flexing as he did Dumbbell Curls.

“Hey chess is cool! It helps develop mind strategies and it’s calming.” I put the bench-thing back and sat up to frown at Jesse.

“You know what those strategies will be needed for?” Jesse was acting like he was talking to a pre-schooler. Kevin was just standing around with his hands in his pockets, so I imitated him trying to give out a careless aura.

“No, what?” Kevin answered for his friend as if knowing exactly what he was going to say.

“Girls, which you won’t have unless you listen up. Come on Alan, it’s not normal for jocks to hang out with a nerd. I’m surprised you’re not just nodding and acting cool.” I rolled my eyes at the lack of seriousness in his tone.

“At least hear a joke; they’re funny. Come on Kevy-poo!” I said with a smile. I was actually loosening up. Who knew hanging with the ‘guys’ isn’t so bad? They both exchanged a look before Kevin spoke up.

“Who’s there?” He said not even waiting for a ‘knock-knock’. I looked over at the rest of the guys to let them hear it too.

“Knock knock!” I said starting off the joke. The ten football players looked at me with interest. I never thought I’d see the day, but I pushed that thought aside.

“Who’s there?” Buck said with a grin. He’s a guy with dirty blonde hair and is in my Physics class.

“Sherlock.” I said with a tight smile, excited to get to the punch line.

“Sherlock who?” Kevin said as he had on an amused smile.

“Sherlock Ohms!” Alex (nice jock) laughed. The rest either had confused faces as if they’re missing the point.

“So then she’s like..” Buck continued turned to the others as if I hadn’t said a word. I let out a sigh as I looked over at Kevin’s reaction. I was in time to see his head turn to the side but not missing the look of pity he sent my way.

It seemed funny to me..