How to date a Nerd

Chapter 5

Being smooth is not my thing.

If I blow any more air into my cheeks, they may pop. I can't believe I'm actually going to do this. If anyone catches me driving Lauren around, the rumors will zoom through the air about me hooking up with Queen of the Dorks. But I've got it all planned out.

Excuse number one, my parents are making me.

Excuse number two, I'm grounded from all my friends, so this was the only way I can learn.

Excuse number three, I'm sleep walking.

Now that I've got my social butt covered, I just gotta ask her. And this is what's making my cheeks sore. I've never asked Lauren for anything before. Even when we were besties. She always offered so I never had to. And after I totally ditched her and treated her like she has a good case of dragon pox, I'm scared out of my mind.

What if she says no?I let all the air out. Camila, just get this over with! Another pumpkin imitation later, and I'm knocking on her door. I want to beeline for the bushes, but my legs feel like gummy worms.

The lock clicks and there she stands in her Lord of the rings sweatshirt and leggings and holding an Xbox controller, with a look that says I stunned the crap out of her. "Uh, hey." Smooth, Camila, real smooth. She doesn't say anything. Her mouth is doing that opening and closing thing like the clowns on a miniature golf course. She looks over my head and out to the street. What do I do? Just walk away? Wave my hand in front of her face? Crap myself?

"What... what are you doing here?" Her ears go red and the controller slips from her hand. I hear a car go by behind me and BAM! All my insecurities rush into my thoughts. Even though Lauren looks freaking amazing in her Gandalf sweater , I can't be seen at her house. Oh god.

"Can I come in?" The words are out so fast, and I don't even wait for an answer. I squeeze past her and shut the door behind me. She chuckles. "Yeah, I guess you can." I laugh a huge dorky and nervous laugh as I look around her house. Not much has changed since last time I was here. Well, physically. It wasn't this awkward between me and her, but that's totally my fault.

"So, uh..." she stutters as she picks up the controller she dropped. "You need something?" she asks."Yes, I..." I kink my neck to look behind her. "You stuck?" I ask her. "Huh?" I point to the TV screen. "Minas Tirith. That's a tough level, and it looks like you're out of ammo." She scratches the back of her neck with the controller before tossing it on the couch. "It's been a while since I played it, and I can't remember the code for infinite missiles. I was gonna go Google the code for it-"

"X, X, down, B." Holy shit! I totally said that out loud. Lauren's mouth pops open and her ears go red again. "I-I think you're right." She picks the controller back up and enters the code. The small shink sound lets her know she now has unlimited firepower.

"Nice!" She throws me that really sexy smile and I don't believe it, but I'm moving to sit next to her. "Y, up, Y, down makes it so one hit will kill them. May help you when you're trying to get those ladders taken care of." I wink, and she nudges me with her elbow.

And now I've lost my train of thought. "Thanks," she says, entering the code. She sets the controller down and shifts so she's angled toward me. I can't take my eyes off her, even though they aren't exactly looking at me. And her dark brown hair is all over the place. I just want to reach up and feel how soft it is.

"Uh, Camz?" Sigh. "Yeah?"

"Did you need something?" Oh right! I did come over here for a reason other than drooling over her."Yes, sorry. I was wondering... I mean I don't know if you noticed, but my parents bought me a new car." "Cool," she answers. "It's manual, and I was hoping..." Hoping? Who the hell is talking here? I sound like a bumbling idiot. "Will you teach me how to drive it?"