How A Nerd Got His Own Harem (On hold)

Chapter 1: (Rewritten)

Riley's POV:

The piercing sound of my alarm clock jolted me awake at 4:00 in the morning, signaling the start of another shift at the café. With a groan, I rolled out of bed, forcing myself to face the day ahead. As I dragged myself to the bathroom, fatigue weighing heavily on my shoulders, I couldn't help but wonder why my working hours started so early. But responsibilities beckoned, and there was no time for lingering in bed.

After a brief ritual of brushing my teeth and taking a quick bath, I tugged open my closet doors. Searching through the limited selection of clothes, I pulled out my work uniform-a crisp, white polo shirt, paired with light brown shorts and a brown apron. They weren't exactly the most fashionable attire, but practicality outweighed style in this context. I gathered my school uniform and neatly placed it in my bag with a sigh, knowing that the day held a long path ahead.

Locking the door behind me, I hopped on my trusty bike, a loyal companion that had carried me through countless early morning commutes. With each pedal, the cool morning air brushed against my skin, invigorating me slightly as I made my way to the café. In just a matter of minutes, the familiar sight of 'The Purr - fect Pour Cafe' front entrance came into view.

Entering the café, I found my manager, engrossed in some paperwork at the cashier. "Good morning, Manager," I greeted her with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, despite the hour.

She glanced up from her work, a warm smile gracing her face. "Good morning, Riley. How are you today?"

"I'm fine, thank you," I replied, offering a small smile in return. "How about you, Manager?"

Her expression faltered, a hint of sorrow clouding her eyes. "Oh, just a bit devastated, that's all... Me and my husband, we... we divorced yesterday. Caught him cheating with my best friend," she confessed, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and heartbreak.

A pang of sympathy shot through me, and I instinctively reached out to offer comfort. "Oh, Manager, I'm so sorry to hear that. Please know that I'm here for you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

She nodded gratefully, her voice slightly choked. "Thank you, Riley. I truly appreciate it. Now, let's get back to work, shall we?"

Returning to my duties, I spent the following hours serving customers, expertly brewing their favorite coffees and preparing scrumptious bagels. As the minutes ticked by, I lost myself in the rhythm of the café, finding solace in the familiarity of the tasks at hand. The ringing of the cash register, the welcoming aroma of freshly baked pastries-they brought a sense of belonging amidst the chaos of the world.

As the clock approached 7 o'clock, signaling the end of my shift and the beginning of my school day, I approached my manager, seeking permission to use the bathroom one final time before leaving. "Manager, may I borrow the bathroom? It's nearly time for me to head to school," I requested respectfully.

She nodded in understanding, her weariness evident. "Of course, Riley. Take your time."

With a quick change into my school uniform, I carefully put on each piece with gratitude and humility. The tailored navy blue blazer with its subtle gold accents blended into my worn-out fingers, reminding me of the opportunities that lay ahead.

The crisp white dress shirt, although not made from high-end fabric, symbolized my determination to rise above my circumstances.

As I adjusted the customized school tie, its elegant patterns mirrored my dreams of a better future.

The tailored navy blue trousers, held up by a simple belt, were a reminder of the hard work and sacrifices that had led me to this moment.

I laced up my old leather dress shoes, their once-polished brown surface now telling tales of resilience and perseverance.

And finally, as my hands brushed over the embroidered school emblem on my blazer pocket, my heart swelled with pride.

As I faced each day in this uniform, I hoped to transcend the limitations of my background and make my mark on the world, inspired by the embroidered emblem that represented not just a school but also a symbol of possibility.

Going to the exit door, I Mounted my trusty bike once again, I pedaled through the streets, racing against time to reach the school gates. But fortune had other plans for me that day, as a cruel twist of fate unfolded before me. Without warning, someone intentionally tripped me, sending me sprawling to the ground.

Laughter filled the air as the perpetrator gloated over their "victory." "Hahahaha, goddamn nerd," they taunted, walking away without a second glance.

A second voice joined in, hurling insults too familiar to bear. "Omg, don't touch him! He's a homo, you might get infected!" they scoffed, oblivious to the pain their words caused.

My heart sank, a mix of frustration and sadness swirling within me. Dusting myself off, a solitary tear threatened to escape, but I clung to my composure, refusing to let the world see my vulnerability. I silently carried on toward my locker, longing to disappear within the crowded hallways.

However, fate seemed determined to test my resilience further, as the notorious jocks loomed before me like menacing shadows. "Excuse me, could you please move?" I mustered the courage to ask, my voice filled with a pleading tone.

"Why should we?" one of them retorted, a sneer etched on his face.

Torn between frustration and a lingering sense of hope, I took a deep breath, summoning my inner strength. "I just need to put something in my locker," I explained calmly, appealing to their empathy.

But empathy was a scarce commodity in their world, and their gazes remained fixed with a contemptuous glare. A sense of defeat engulfed me momentarily, yet deep down, I knew that I couldn't let them have the satisfaction of breaking me. With a determined resolve, I whispered,

"Please, D..."

To be continued...

Text copyright © Ren_Cutie16
™ 2022

The moral right of the author has been asserted. All rights reserved. This story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or retransmitted in whole or in part, in any manner, without the written consent of the copyright holder, and any infringement of this is a violation of copyright law.

1013 words