Your Not So Average Nerd

Chapter 3.

After what you could call a panic attack in the library, I try to calm down as I journey on the ten minute walk back home. My brothers are too busy playing videogames to come give me a ride. I tear off my gray converse as I walk through the door of my house. The clock reads 10:00pm.

Was it really still December 1st? There's was no way it was still my birthday. It should at least be January by now. I swear every year my birthday just keeps getting worse and worse. I shower and get into bed before I can get into anymore trouble for the day.

The next day at school passes without a hitch. I recount to Mr. Mullen the library events of the night before. He always has the best advice to offer me.

Yet today his words of wisdom on my issues with Jake aren't too helpful today. "I'm never going to be able to deal with him for an entire project! I can barely look at him without wanting to punch him in the gut."

"Well, Ginny, I don't think my advice will help you here until you know why you hate this boy so much. Once you figure that out, we'll come back to this topic." Thanks Mr. Mullen, but I already know why I hate him. Every moment of our past together has just built up all of my hatred for him. I can't even think of one time he said something nice to me. And if there was something nice in our conversations, he'd be sure to call me Peanut at the end of the sentence. Don't want anyone to think talking to Ginny is a pleasant thing for Jake Parker.

My dreams of getting out of school without something awful happening were crushed when I walked into English class. I refuse to turn to my left for the entire class. I stare straight at Miss Havranek not daring to even use my peripheral vision. I've been sitting on the edge of my seat all class, not only because it's a few inches farther away from Jake, but because I can make a faster break for it once the bell rings signifying the end of the day.

Even though I refuse to look in Jake's direction, I can still tell that not a hair on his head is out of place and he has his usual leather jacket on. I can't help but feel like melting from just his appearance. And I mean only his appearance, he ruins any sex appeal the second words come out of his perfectly-shaped mouth. Not that I've been staring recently or anything. I know this from 2 years ago, obviously.

When that bell finally sounded, I sprinted out of the room and down the hall to the last locker where mine was located. But before I was half way down the hall, I could tell that someone was leaning against my locker. I hope this person is waiting for the girl whose locker is next to mine. Nearing my locker, I just realize the feeling in my stomach is telling me to turn around and not go anywhere near the area. I really should listen to those feelings more often.

"Hey Peanut," I hear right before I reach my locker. Really with the Peanut? I know I'm short, it's not like I need a reminder of that.

He must have dematerialized in class and popped up in front of my locker to make it here before I did without me seeing. "Don't worry I lost all my magic powers. I just left class early."

I must have been staring at the clock when this happened. But wait, did I say that out loud? "Ha Peanut, the look on your face is priceless. I'm not reading your mind, your thoughts are just written all over your face."

I scowl at him when I realize that the smile on his face lights up his eyes. Stop Ginny! We've discussed this before, no looking at his eyes! "Would you move now. I need to get my books."

"Actually there's a reason I'm standing here with my back pressed to your lock. It was a brilliant plan I devised so that you could not get into your locker without talking to me first."

Sure brilliant might be one word for it, but it's definitely not the one I would have picked.

"What do you want?" I asked without the scowl ever leaving my face. I hope it at least rivals the one Chris has.