' A smile is the universal welcome.'
- Max Eastman
It was Tuesday and I was not in a mood to go to school today. Definitely not with a broken nose. But can I ever take decisions for myself? Never.
I sighed in defeat but eventually got ready to go to school. I left home after hearing a long lecture on being safe and a reminder that I am grounded and I can't go anywhere after school. As if I'll go somewhere with a broken nose! I snorted at that thought as I made my way towards my car. I wanted to take my bike but I don't think I am in a condition to ride a bike. Getting in my car, I drove off to school.
I parked my car in the parking lot and entered the school premises. Some people gave me weird looks but I just ignored them. It wasn't that bad as I thought it would be. I think people out here are mature enough to understand that a person can get hurt and it's no big deal.
I had P.E as my first lecture so I went towards my locker to keep my books and take out my gym clothes. My eyes automatically wandered towards the whole place in search of one person. I haven't seen her in such a long time.
'It's only been three days!'
My subconscious reminded me.
"Looking for me Jerk?" a voice said from behind me. I smiled and turned around to face a smirking Nora.
"Good morning to you too Nerdy!"
But my smile disappeared when I saw her face. There was a cut on her left cheek bone.
"Hey Nerdy what happened? How did you get this?" I asked while touching her scar.
She flinched under my touch but didn't say anything. I quickly retracted my hand and put them in my pockets.
"I can ask the same to you!" Nora said while pointing towards my nose.
"But I asked first, so you need to answer me first." I stated in an obvious tone.
She rolled her eyes and said, "Nothing much. My neighbour's three year old son threw his toy at me expecting me to catch it. But being the clumsy person I am, I couldn't catch it and it hurt my face instead!"
"Ooooh!" I said in an understanding manner.
"Now tell me about you."
"Umm.. Well. I banged into a pillar and hurt myself. Not much of a big deal." I said while shrugging.
"Okay! That explains the swollen head! But what about your broken nose?" She asked while eyeing me skeptically.
"That! When I banged into a pillar, Umm..I lost my balance and fell face front on the floor!" I said while scratching the back of my head.
Nora laughed loudly and wiped a fake tear.
"Seriously? You think I'm going to buy that shit? But if what you're saying is true, then God you're so clumsy!", she said and resumed laughing.
To say that I was feeling embarrassing was an understatement. That was the lamest reason ever.
And she was smart enough to catch my lie. She knows that I don't want to tell her the real reason. I don't know how, but the look that she gave me says it all and the best part is that she is not forcing me to justify myself.
"Says the one who couldn't catch a toy!", I said while smirking.
She stopped laughing and narrowed her eyes at me and said, "Whatever Jerk!"
"Come on! You know that's the truth."
"Never mind! Let's go. We will get late for P.E." She said and walked ahead.
I went to the boy's locker room to get changed. Wearing my P.E clothes I entered the gym.
I saw Nora standing with some other girls. She was wearing our black P.E T-shirt and black shorts.
Damn! She looks hot!
There's no denying in that. I looked away before she sees me checking her out.
Nora walked up to me and asked, "So, are you going to join us?"
I scrunched my brows and asked,"For what?"
Before she could reply to my question, I heard a loud screeching voice calling my name.
"Looogaaann! "
I looked towards the source of the noise to see a girl in her tight cheer leading outfit walk towards me with a smile plastered on her face
I heard Nora whisper in my ear, "Oh! Here she comes!"
"Who is she?", I asked her.
"The typical queen bee of our school. Natalia Woods." Nora said with disdain lacing in her tone.
"Seriously? The Queen bee? I mean I thought they only existed in those teen fiction books!" I said while looking at Natalia who was coming closer and closer to me.
"You read teen fiction books?" Nora said looking at me with amusement.
"Hey Logan! I'm Natalia Woods. Sorry I couldn't meet you last week. I was out of town. But now here I am. And that's what matters right?" she asked putting her hands on my shoulders and coming closer to me.
Before I could say anything Nora said, "You know there is something known as personal space!"
I looked at Nora to see her glaring at Natalia's hand on my shoulders. Was she jealous?
I pulled Natalia closer to me and said, "I'm glad we got to meet Natalia."
Natalia turned to Nora and said, "You see, he doesn't have any problem in me being close to him, then what is your problem? Never mind! Logan will you join us in our team? We are playing volleyball and I would really like you to be on our side."
"I, umm.."
"No he won't! I already asked him to be in our team. So he won't be joining you!" Nora interrupted me.
"What are you? His girlfriend? Don't forget that you're just a geeky nerd okay! So just stay in your limits." Natalia said while pointing her fingers at Nora.
Nora was so angry by this moment that she could kill anyone coming in her way. If looks could kill, Natalia would be six feet under the ground.
"Okay! You didn't just go there!" I whispered in Natalia's ears and backed off. I didn't want to be the one getting hurt because of Natalia's stupid mouth.
If Nora can take down three guys at one time, then she wouldn't even take a second to hurt Natalia.
"Did you just call me a nerd?"
Nora slowly walked towards Natalia as if giving her a chance to run away.
Her eyes were not having the usual shine anymore. Instead they were dark with a deadly look. A look that I have seen before but I cannot put a finger on it. I let go of that thought and concentrated on what is in front of me. I had to stop Nora from killing her. I took her hands which were now formed in fists.
"Listen Nerd... Nora! Calm down! I don't think this is the right way to resolve any problem. We can talk and work it out right?"
She continued glaring at Natalia but eventually said,
"Yeah right!"
I sighed in relief and turned to Natalia.
"Natalia! I'm sorry but Nora is my friend. And she can say anything she wants. You're no one to tell her what to do and what not to do. So it's better if you just go away now. And yes! In going to be in Nora's team." I said the last part sweetly and walked away pulling Nora with me.
She didn't let go off my hand and some how it felt good. I gave Nora one of my charming smile and she smiled in return. This was the first time I saw her smiling genuinly.
"Thanks Jerk. If you wouldn't be there then I don't know what I would've done."
"You're welcome Nerdy."
We both smiled at each other once again and joined our other team members.
The game went well and let's just say, Natalia ended up with a swollen face.
Well, You don't mess with my Nerdy.
Did I just call her mine?
Yeah! I did. And it doesn't sound weird.
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