His Nerd

Chapter One

"Are you actually serious right now?" 

I pull my hair up into a high ponytail rolling my eyes letting a small chuckle escape my lips at my best friend's incredulous facial expression  

"It's not funnyyyy" she whines sounding identical to a toddler

"Taylor, you know I don't like going to parties" I state looking at her while she continues to look at me as if I've grown two heads

"Okay, okay but like..you're saying no so you can..read? Are you okay?" she says jokingly putting the back of her palm on my forehead as if to check if I have a fever 

"Nope, no fever..just crazy" she mumbles

I laugh wholeheartedly finding her reaction amusing 

Taylor and I have been best friends since freshman year of high school. We both were new and somehow always ended up being stuck together for classes and projects. Taylor took this as a sign that the universe was trying to tell us we were meant to be best friends and after four years..I'm glad she did. As the years passed, Taylor lost weight having the perfect curvy figure gaining attention from everyone and very quickly being classified as one of the popular. I, on the other hand, stayed the same. While my acne disappeared, gained a bit of good weight, and started properly doing my eyebrows..I still felt the same. While we both underwent some changes, we still managed to keep our friendship intact. While Taylor always has a guy, a party, and a posse, I have my book, my tea, and my hoodies. 

"I always spend my Friday nights at the cafe. It relaxes me. Parties don't. So shush cuz I ain't changing my mind" I say while getting up and walking towards the door to head to my car.

I hear a loud groan and a huff from behind me 

 Such a damn drama queen 

"FIIIINNNNNEEEEEEE BUT YOU WILL SEE ME TOMORROW!! YOU CAN'T GET RID OF ME SISSY" I hear Taylor yell across the halls while getting a few people's attention

"I wouldn't dream of it" I yell back while finally leaving the building. 

I head towards the parking lot and see my car parked next to a Toyota and Auto. 

I put my book bag in the trunk of my black Mercedes and open the driver's door to head towards the cafe.

10 minutes later I arrive at the cute cafe with a smile hinting on my face. 

I fell in love with this cafe the moment I saw it. It's quiet..classy..cute..every worker is sweet...the chairs are comfortable...their coffees are delicious..what more can I ask for? 

I turn off my car and head inside the cafe

I walk in and direct myself to my usual sitting place. There's a small booth right next to the window with two comfortable chairs on each side and a small desk in the middle. I sit down laying my left leg on the chair while my right leg was left hanging making myself more comfortable. I pick up my bookbag and open it up revealing my new flavor of the day

"Angelaaaaa, Welcome back sweetheart!" 

I look up to see John heading towards my booth grinning from ear to ear while politely smiling at other customers

John owns the cafe. He is around his late 60's and his honestly the closest thing to a father figure I'll ever get. I first started coming here 4 months ago and since he always been so kind and generous towards me. His pretty short with the height of 5'6 and is a bit on the chubby side but it suits him well. 

"Hey John" I greet him while waving at him slightly

He looks at me grinning wide at me making me grin back 

"New book?"  he says directing his head to the book I was currently holding onto

"mmhmm and I have a feeling it's going to be a good one," I said grinning from ear to ear

he chuckled at my enthusiasm 

"You say that about every book" 

"And I'm always right" 

He laughed while patting me gently on the back 

"Alright sweetheart, the usual?" 

"yes please" 

"Yes ma'am" He jokingly salutes at me making me shake my head in amusement a smile hindered on my face

As my thumb gently caresses the fragile page, my eyes are absorbing every line, every bit of dialogue, and every description making me realize I no longer am in control. I'm no longer in control of my mind nor my body. The dictator is the words and I'm the follower. There's something about it. Something that's so indescribable yet so powerful. In a place where nothing is impossible, it's hard not to get lost. As I get transported into another world, I get ready for the hit of excitement and adrenaline fixated on the words. Those beautifully written words placed on the pages so smoothly and so carelessly ready to take me in.

It's an escape, escape from reality, escape from me. I no longer am Angela. I am whoever the pages tell me I am. And just like that, I've lost control. 

 1 hour later...

My whole body starts shaking sobs escaping my lips while I hang my head low in embarrassment. I hear footsteps coming my way knowing exactly who it was..him..I feel his cold hand grip my chin firmly yet softly making me look up into those eyes..those hazelnut eyes..he starts caressing my cheek softly and I stupidly lean into his touch wanting to feel him..I close my eyes but I know he's still watching me..analyzing me..I feel the warmth of his hand leave my face and unwillingly open my eyes to see him inching closer and closer to my face. He grabs my shaking hand interlocking it looking at my lips eyes full of lust..as he inches closer i feel his warm breath tickling my face closer and closer until-

"WHAT THE FUCK"

A loud voice interrupts my reading and I look up to see a worker look up mortified at the stranger he accidentally spilled coffee on. It was as if time froze for the poor guy. He seems to wanna say something but his mouth opens and closes like a goldfish unable to form any coherent words. 

"I--i--i'm--s-s-so-s-s-s-o-o-rr-y" I hear the worker stutter clearly scared out of his mind 

I feel my heart soften as I see the guy. He doesn't look much older than me. His tall and scrawny with a bit of acne covering his face. 

"where is your manager?" The man asks in a quiet yet affirmative voice. He's looking at the kid with pure hatred clenching his jaw every now and then

"Sir..please..I nn-eed this jj-ob" The boy looks at him with pleading eyes

Oh God..my heart..give the guy a break dude it was an honest mistake

The man's glare hardens at the boy's words taking a threatening step forward 

he isn't going to fight him..right?

Before anything else can happen someone scream's "stop" 

Both boys turn their heads towards me and I realize not just anyone said stop..

I said stop..

Oh shit..