Chapter three - I feel so loved

I shut my locker feeling exhausted. After last night, I think I won't be able to speak for the whole day. My mouth still hurts. It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life- to talk to Jessica about Blaise Anderson. She didn't care about Nick. It crushed my heart the way my best friend was talking about my crush. It was like he didn't even exist. I knew she didn't want me to be with Nick mainly because of Kim. She believes that if a boy spends so much time around Kim, he has gone nuts.

The way Nick acted yesterday about whole 'reading novel' ordeal, I guess she was right. Being with Kim does that you. But can you blame him for that? He is the one to be with her but he only screws her and in the process gets his brain screwed.

She made me spill every single detail. I was thinking about leaving the majority of the part because nothing special happens. They came for about twenty minutes and then left. Conversation on phone wasn't enough that she decided to come to my place and force words out of me while we watched a James Bond movie.

When I told her that Blaise was holding me when Nick was tickling, she went the whole fangirl.

'That was so romantic. I wish I could take your place.' She had gushed.

The pain of tickling came back to me and I shuddered at the thought. I wish that too.

And now my mouth is hurting because of all the talking. My jaw seems to fall down. I never put pressure on my jaw. I never stress to move my muscles much and bother to talk. I have to be careful. No talk about Blaise Anderson in front of Jessica.

I made my way towards the first class of History- a subject I'm not very fond of.

"Hey, Beryl. Where are you going?" A familiar voice asked and I winced but managed to erase dismay on my face and replaced it with fake surprise.

"Hey Tristan," I smiled at him, a very charming smile- a smile that most definitely causes suspicion.

He didn't frown at me as I had expected but smiled. For a moment I was really bothered by his response. I even thought he was not the boy who blackmailed me every day and his long-lost kind twin. The happiness in his eyes was unmistakable. And then it all clicked.

He is leaving tomorrow.

Before I knew what was happening, I was being trapped. His arms came around me and held me to him. I was too shocked to contemplate anything. My eyes were wide with surprise. His head rested on my shoulder. I felt his warm breath fanning against my neck and jaw. I felt his cheek brush against the side of my neck where the v-neck revealed my pale skin. Hotness on my face told me that I was definitely blushing like a tomato. I've never been this close to any boy ever in my life. The way my heart was beating also alarmed me. I didn't like Tristan that way. I didn't like him at all. He just took me by surprise.

The reason for my uncontrolled heartbeat was fear caused due to certain green-eyed boy who was glaring at us as if he was going to rip my limbs one by one. I tried to pull away from Tristan.

Firstly, my efforts weren't good enough and secondly, he tightened his arms around me to the point that it became difficult for me to breathe. I closed my eyes and focused on breathing.

"Relax and hug me back if you don't want Nick to know," he said.

I feel so loved. I thought sarcastically.

Immediately my arms came around his waist in a loose hug. I could feel him smiling against my skin. It made me shudder.

"Why are you so tense?" He asked, his lips brushing against my exposed skin.

"Can you please release me now?" I asked.

"No," he breathed as soon as my question ended.

I scoffed. "At least face another side."

I could feel his chest rumbling against mine as he chuckled. It took me everything not to knee him at the place where the sun doesn't shine. He has only two days left here and I don't want to get into his bad list. He has my secret after all.

He placed a kiss on my neck before facing another side. That was the first time in my life I was kissed there. I sucked in a sharp breath and dug my nails in his back with an intention to cause him pain but then actually thought how it looked to bystanders and loosened my grip.

"Leave me now," I said resting my head against his shoulder.

For others, it would seem like we were hugging like a happy couple but only I knew in what hell I was in.

He hummed in response and pulled away. I wanted to glare at him but instead kept my expressions neutral.

He smiled at me.

"I'll see you soon," he said before leaving.

I turned around to see some students staring at me- mostly girls- some with surprise and some with envy. Tristan is actually handsome and popular. Not as popular as Nick and Blaise but he still has his share of fame.

Reluctantly, I lifted my eyes to the one who was ready to kill me just moments before. The spot was empty and I sighed in relief. I thought he was going to drench us with gasoline and throw lit matchstick on us. It was that frightening.

Shaking my head, I walked towards History class with head hung low. Today is going to be a long day.

Jessica is my best friend but we are not always together. Jessica has a friend and a cousin studying in this school so she spends most of the time with them. Also, we don't have any classes together. I call Jessica my best friend because she is my only friend here.

Classes went as usual. I didn't have anything to worry about except for some weird looks thrown in my direction by some judgmental boys and girls. I really wanted to poke their eyes whenever I felt their gaze on me. It was beyond my understanding why they were looking at me as if I was a creature from another planet. Though the way glares were focused on me by jealous girls, I had faint assumption it was because of the whole hot-Tristan-hugging-school-nerd incident. It's not exactly comfortable to have several eyes staring at you. I wanted to shout at them to mind their business but that would mean getting into their wrong side and frankly, I don't want to be either at good or bad side. I want to stand far away.

By the time I was in lunch, the number of students staring at me had reduced. But I can't say the same about glares. When I caught the haughty glare of Kim as she entered the cafeteria, my blood ran cold and I knew I was in trouble.

"Why is she glaring at me?" I asked nervously. I last thing I want is getting into trouble with Kim Welsh, a girl who has the potential to ruin my high school life.

"The news that you are partnered up in a project with two hottest boys of school is burning like a wildfire." She informed me.

So Kim thinks that I will snatch Nick away from her.

"What does she have to feel insecure about?" I wondered.

I am the asocial nerd with only one friend.

"Nick is her on-again-off-again boyfriend while she also wants Blaise. She has done everything to get their attention. Nick is already wrapped around her fingers but Blaise; he's not very much interested in her because she belongs to his best friend. But she doesn't understand that. Even after her efforts, she won't get both the boys for her but you, without any effort, have both of them. That's why she is jealous of you." Jessica explained to me.

I stared at her wide-eyed. "I never knew you were that observant."

She rolled her eyes. "You have to keep track of Kim's thoughts if you want to have a happy high school life."

I nodded at her. "But what am I going to do now?" I was so nervous.

As much as the idea of being with Nick appeals to me, I really don't want my high school life to end so soon.

"Make her realize that you're not a threat to her." She told me shrugging.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"The amount of glances Blaise and Nick have thrown in your direction, it's quite opposite." That's something I observed too. Initially, I thought it is all because of Tristan incident but now I realize.

"I don't even know why they are looking here. And I can't even control where they look. I think I should leave." I started standing up.

"Where are you going?" Jessica whispered yelled.

"To library. I can't be here. I feel kind of suffocated being here. It's like I'm in hell." I told her shuddering and walked out of the cafeteria ignoring everyone's curious looks.

What are they looking at? Haven't they seen a girl before?

I made my way towards the library leaving curious looks behind. It was really creeping me out. A girl who hardly talked to anyone except for another girl and a senior sometimes, this whole new attention was completely unwelcome. Being stared at like you are a specimen is really scary. I feel bad for those animals in the Biology lab.

"Hey girl," I heard a voice speak behind me and I turned my head to find a blue head smiling like a Cheshire cat at me which really made me uncomfortable.

I smiled forcibly at her as she headed towards me with so much confidence, it nearly suffocated me. I recognize her as Eliza McDaniel, the rebellious daughter of one of a most respectful businessman. Her hair color changes every week. Last week it was bright red- danger. She is also popular but that has not got into her head like Kim. Eliza is a cheerful girl. It's a rumor that she is a lesbian.

But I'm never in a group of popular. I avoid them like a plaque. And now one is heading towards me like a rocket.

"Hi," I played with my fingers wondering what this girl is doing in front of me. She can find any other chick, like Kim. Why me?

"What's your name?" She asked chewing on gum and pointed a finger at me while another hand was holding strap of bag lazily hung over her shoulder.

"Parker, Beryl Parker." I mentally scolded myself for being James Bond at this situation. I watched that movie yesterday so it is not completely my fault.

Eliza grinned at me. It was so creepy that I instinctively took a step back.

"Parker, I heard you are with Nick, Blaise, and Tristan." She said raising an eyebrow. She said so fast that it took me few seconds to comprehend her words.

I frowned at her.

"I mean you have three wrapped around your finger." She explained.

I nodded my head still comprehending her words. As soon as I was finished, my eyes went wide.

"Oh no! No! No! No! Nick and Blaise are my project partners and Tristan... well he has wrapped me around his finger." I grumbled the last part.

"Excuse me?" She asked raising the other eyebrow.

"I mean to say that he is my... seatmate... more like an acquaintance. But that's all." I dismissed the matter with the wave of my hand.

"Why were you kissing him in the hallway then?" She asked folding her arm; all signs of cheerful girl disappeared replaced by a serious girl. I really don't know what the matter is. Why is she asking me about this?

"We were not kissing!" I exclaimed loudly. Several heads snapped to our direction and my face heads up. I ducked my head to save myself from embarrassment. I lowered my voice, "he was hugging me because he is leaving town."

"He's leaving town?" She said with disbelief.

Why is she even talking to me if she doesn't want to believe what I say? I said clearly that we were not kissing. One of the people supposed to be involved in the act is clearly denying it and still, she has to believe someone who said something rubbish. Seriously, what right do they have to judge others based on the rumors only? She doesn't know me in person and still, she thinks she knows what I do better than me. I truly hate these types of people.

I didn't allow showing my bitterness towards her act and kept my expressions calm. In my peripheral vision, I could see students staring at us as if some interesting movie scene is going on. I could have gauged their eyes if I had the courage to do that. Also, it sounds inhumane. But sticking your nose in other's matter is also not acceptable. We are only talking and by the end of the day I'll hear 'Beryl and Eliza in a fist fight' or 'Eliza got a new girlfriend- Beryl Parker, the school nerd'.

I shuddered at the thought. I've never dated any boy in my life. I've hardly talked to any except for Tristan and Garry and my cousins. They will surely believe I'm lesbian when I'm not. It's not like I've anything against lesbians. It's just I'm not one.

"Yeah, I've helped him with various projects since last year. Now he is leaving for Australia or something. I don't exactly know. He told me but I forgot. Why don't you just ask him? I have to go to the library now." I hurriedly said scurrying away from her towards the library.

It's my favorite place in the whole school. Though there are times when you find horny teenagers, a rare occurrence. But it's better than hallways or cafeteria. Finding an empty room or closet means you are looking for porn. Kim is cast in the majority of them with basketball and football players. The football team of school is as popular as basketball team ever since Blaise became captain. So every chick is inclined towards either basketball players or football players. And there started my fantasy for Nick. Not the dirty one. I just find him so cute and so strong. He is so hot. Who can ever resist his charms? I just hope he gets some brains and gets rid of Kim.

Kim...

The way she looked at me in the cafeteria still chilled my spine. I hope she understands it's just a project and nothing more. Of course, I want to grab this opportunity and make it something more but not in her way. I don't know what's in her brain but I'm sure a confrontation is coming, something I want to avoid. I guess I should hire a bodyguard.

But for now, I want some peace for my hectic thoughts. I'm stuck in this maze where I want to reach Nick but Kim Witch is standing on my way. The brutal fact is that she already has him. Should I step back? I mean I can act normally around him. Maybe he falls in love with me no matter how less likely that situation really is.

Just stop it. I scolded my mind and shook my head to throw the thoughts of Kim and Nick out of my mind.

I sat on a desk with a random book I picked from shelf desperately trying to read it. No matter how many times my eyes scanned those printed pages, not even a single word registered into my brain.

My phone pinged and I jumped on my seat startled. I mentally cursed myself as some of the students gave me looks. I ignored them and fished out my phone to find a message.

Unknown Number

Today be ready with your money. We will be waiting for our treat. -N

I reread the message few times trying to figure out who is this 'N' and what treatment they are talking about. My mind wandered to different memories of the past.

When I was eleven years old, I had a friend, Neil. He won a bet though I know he cheated. He solved ten question of math in ten minutes. He used a calculator. He denied it after that. But I knew had a calculator because he left it inside the washroom after the test. When I asked him about it the next day, he refused to believe it was his. He said 'no' so I kept the gadget with me only it was later recognized by his five-year-old sister who called it his brother's phone. And she also said that he was talking with 'dad' on that 'phone' while we were doing questions.

He can't be Neil, can he?

I mean I refused to buy him a cake because he cheated.

But Neil left when he was fifteen. He is seven seas apart. Could it be he is back? But I'm still not buying him anything because he cheated. I'm still angry at him.

The phone pinged again and I read the message feeling stupid.

I'm Nick. You look like you will bury me alive the moment you see me. I'm contemplating if I should come or not. -N

I pouted at my foolishness. I looked around. Was he here? But I couldn't see him. He must be hiding. I don't want to see anyone right now so I let it past. Let him see me. I read the message again and became alert as I read the last line. Of course, I want him to come.

Of course, you can come. I was just thinking about something really hard. -B

Don't think too much. Your pea sized brain will shrink further. I don't want to be with a girl without a brain for more than a minute. -N

I bit my lip. Okay, those words were not really pleasant. I was tempted to ask why he was with Kim then but decided against it. I didn't want to sound jealous and scare him away for bursting his ego.

Well, I have to cope with a boy with no brain. Learn something from me. -B

I smirked at my reply.

And who that boy could be? The one you kissed today. I must say you have a bad taste with a boyfriend. -N

My face fell. Nick thinks that Tristan is my boyfriend. If he didn't know about my secret, I could have kicked him in the balls the moment he wrapped his arms around me. Everyone is talking about the kiss that never happened. Nick must have heard from the rumors.

Tristan is not my boyfriend. More like an annoying-friend. -B

I cleared myself in this case. Nick thinking that I have a boyfriend is the last thing I want right now because I want him to fill that place.

He's like you then. -N

I gasped at his reply.

I am not annoying. -B

Prove me wrong then. Let's see how much you can spend on me in McDonald's today. Have a nice day. -N

I smiled at the text and sent a goodbye before stuffing my phone is packed with a smile on my face. My worries disappeared.

I'm looking forward to it.

"What are you doing here?" An unfamiliar voice asked me.

I lifted my head to stare into striking silvery grey eyes.

The blonde head raised his eyebrows as me waiting for my answer as I stared at him blankly.

I cleared my throat awkwardly.

Why is Drew Millers even talking to me?

"I wanted to read a book," I answered in a calm voice while my insides were freaking out.

He eyed my book and my blood went cold. He raised an eyebrow at me with a cold menacing smirk on his face.

"I like reading books upside down." I squeaked.

When did that happen? Was I too busy while texting that I didn't notice I turned this book somehow?

Drew Miller was a bad boy. He was handsome and his bad boy persona was more dangerous than that of Nick and Blaise. I have my own theories about him. He looks like a typical grey-eyed blonde with huge muscles.

Boy, he has muscles of Batman.

But there is something about him that gives me an unsettling feeling about him. Maybe the way he is staring at me so intently right now like he is some sort of pedophile.

My heart thumped inside my chest at the thought.

"I-I have to g-go." I stuttered and walked calmly. I could feel his eyes on me the whole time I was in his line of vision. It made me want to crawl inside a hole and hide there forever.

As soon as I was not in his sight, I dashed out of the library at a lightning speed.

Phew! I almost had a heart attack.

**** ****

I'm still writing chapter four and I don't know when it will be completed. I thought hard and then came to the conclusion that I will not keep this story on hold or anything and I will keep updating it because writing has become so interesting now.

Don't forget to vote and comment.

-nerdinspects