Not Your Average Nerd

Chapter 1: The Basic Rules

5 months later...

Hi there. The name's Adima. It's originated from Germany, meaning "noble and famous." The correct pronunciation is - Wait, did I do it AGAIN?! UGH!! (slaps self in face)

Please stand by...

Oh, sorry 'bout that. Let start over again. My name is Adima Christina Cruz. I'm an 8th Grader and go to Delos Reyes High.

Do I seem a little, well, um, NERDISH? I hope not. Well, OK, I AM a nerd, but that's what people THINK I am. And I HATE it. Being a girl with glasses and pony tailed hair doesn't mean I'm a nerd.

Although, I do love to read books. ENTERTAINING ones. Not the ones with boring facts about whatsoever. As a matter of fact, I HATE studying. I only study when there's a quiz, exam, or when my parents force me to. But still, I'm NOT a nerd. Confused? Well, just join me in my first day at school, and all will be explained...

I looked at the door. "Grade 8, Section Gold ," I read to myself. I can't believe it. I actually survived 7th Grade. As the 1st Honor. Wow. But somehow, something's not right. I sighed. "Keep it together, Adima. You could do this. New year, new you."

I opened the door. But before I could even step inside, I heard a boy shouting, "Look out!"

I looked to my left and saw a basketball flying right to me. And before you know it I got knocked in the head and fell. "OW!!" I yelled. "Watch it!"

I looked up. I saw twin boys who look EXACTLY like each other. The first one helped me up, while the other apologized. "Whoops, sorry 'bout that," he said.

"Easy for you to say," I said inside my head, "You almost cracked my skull!" But I didn't told them that. I might get into trouble.

"It's no big deal," I replied, even if I was really annoyed. "But be sure next time tha-" Before I could even finish, the two run away and went inside. Ugh. Left me again, as usual. Although, I never saw them before. "Must be newbies," I thought.

I got up and went inside to choose a seat. Well, TRIED to find a seat. Even of I was 30 minutes early, Only a few chairs were left. The rest were covered with bags and notes, saying, "Reserved for Preps, only!" Luckily I got a seat in the way back before the preps could take it again. And besides, I'm sure they don't want to sit in the back.

I left my bag on my chair and went outside again. I could see my classmates greeting their BFFs and teachers, which is a normal thing. In my school, if you're not popular, cool, or smart, I'll guarantee you'll fail. I'm just lucky last year that my Academics made me the Top 1. But it was a close call with Lexy Mayer, the 2nd Honor. She's our school's little miss perfect...

Wait, why are we talking about her? Never mind. Anyway, as I walked along the halls, I could see the preps hangging out with their boyfriends, jocks playing ball, and poor nerds (like me) getting bullied. Yikes! :'-(

Which reminds me, have I ever told you the rules in this school? Well, technically it's MY rules. I made them last year using my observations as my guide:

Popularity Rules:

1. If you're not good looking, you're out.

2. If you don't do performing arts, you're out.

3. If you're not rich, you're out.

4. If you're not sporty, you're out.

5. If you have ALL of those traits, you're practically a QUEEN.

See? Am I right, or am I right? Right? Right. Whatever. As I went to the faculty room to visit Ms. Martinez (she's my neighbor), I saw she was already busy talking with someone.

With LEXY!

Even if you're much closer to a certain teacher, the preppies (especially LEXY) will always get their attention first. It is stated in my second batch of rules:

Teacher Popularity Rules:

1. You're not popular, IDK who you are.

2. You're not that sociable, IDK who you are.

3. You're quiet, IDK who you are.

4. You're parents are not close with them, IDK who you are.

5. If you're little miss perfect, you're practically THE teacher.

Mmm-hmm. And I just HATE girls with Lexy-like behavior. Good on the outside, Bad on the inside. And poor, little kids with Adima-like behavior are affected by their bad side.

I was about to leave when Ms. Martinez called my name. "Adima? Is that you?"

I turned around. Ms. Martinez was staring at me, and so was Lexy. Man did she looked scary (Lexy, not Ms. Martinez). "Lexy, would you please leave for a minute?" She asked Lexy.

Lexy shrugged. "Fine," she said. But as she passed by me, she paused for a second. "You'll pay for this, nerd girl," she whisper-shouted at my ear.

A chill went down my spine. Luckily Ms. Martinez heard her and gave her a fright. "I heard that," she said, and got Lexy running like she's being chased by a tiger. Huh, I guess not all teachers fall into Lexy's trap. Which reminds me about the last set of rules:

Nerd Survival Rules:

1. NEVER interfer with the preps, NOR jocks.

2. Try to be an "I Don't Care" type.

3. You need to have at least one friend to back you up.

4. Try to dodge all of the Prep's phones. They might take stolen/unwanted pictures.

5. Good Luck. You're gonna need a lot of it.

Wow. I really give good advice to myself, I think. Anyway, my teacher made me sit down and talk for a while.

"What was Lexy talking about?" I asked.

Ms. Martinez chuckled. "Oh, she just came here and tried to bribe me to give her a hint on what we will do later so she could get a head start."

Oh, so that's how she gets the answers. By bribing the teachers. Sheesh, what a sneaky snoop she was.

"So, how's summer?" she continued.

"Hmmm, it's OK, learning new stuff, reading books, etc..." I lied. Like I said before, I don't like studying.

"Oh.... I see," she replied, " Say, what do you say I give YOU a hint? You know, for later's class."

"Oh, no!" No thanks! I don't wanna be like Lexy," I replied. Although, I really did wanted to get a head start, but my parents told me that cheating is wrong.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Adima. It's not about lessons," she said, "What I'm going to tell you is that I'm you're -
RRIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG!!!!

"Aw, man, bell already?" I moaned. Ms. Martinez ruffled my hair. "Well, then, Ms. Valedictorian, you better get going to your room, right? I'll see you later," she said and left the room.

I sighed. "Yeah, see you po." I left the room and went to my classroom. By now it was filled with all kinds of classmates. Preps, nerds, jocks, and.... LEXY?! She's my classmate?!

Lexy saw me and looked surprised. But it quickly faded away and gave me her signature smirk.

"Oooh, no. This is going to be a looong, long day."