Completely shocked at how accurate his count down was, I didn’t message back and instead gathered up my things to head to my next class. As I walk the halls, I plug my headphones back in as Char comes up behind putting her hands on my shoulders and scaring me. Jumping, I yank my headphones out of my ears and laugh “Oh my god, why in the hell do you always have to do that Char!”
“Because it's so much fun to scare you Har” she laughed pulling me into a hug. Laughing with her, I chuckled “sometimes I hate you.”
“You say that but I know you really love me” she laughs pulling back.
“Okay, you might be a little right. Anyway, come on let's get to class before we're late” I told her shaking my head before turning to walk down the hall again. The majority of the day passed in a haze until my seventh period class.
At the beginning of class we were given free time while the teacher got her stuff together. So, I opened the messenger portion of the BeYourself app and wrote back to HellBoy007.
[NerdyWannaBe18: How in the world did you get that count down that accurate? It should’ve been off by at least a few seconds but it was right on the dot]
[HellBoy007: I just matched it with the clock on the wall in my first period English class. Would you like me to do it again?]
[NerdyWannaBe18: I’m almost afraid to ask if you can get it that accurate again.]
[HellBoy007: Well, in about forty seconds we can find out how accurate I am with the tardy bell.] Glancing up at the clock, I waited until it said there was only ten seconds before the tardy bell rang just as my phone pinged again.
[HellBoy007: 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...] Ding, ding, ding. Getting out my stuff for class, a realization hit me that we must be in the same school for it to be that accurate. So, taking a deep breath I wrote back.
[NerdyWannaBe18: Okay, that’s scary. What high school do you go to because I have the sneaking suspicion we go to the same one but I promise if we do I won’t out you. No one deserves to be outed unless they make that choice themselves.]
[HellBoy007: For some reason, I feel like I can trust your word on that. So, I’m a senior at North Harrington High School. What about you?]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Wow, small world. I’m also a senior at NHHS.]
[HellBoy007: Now that’s scary. Specially since there aren’t many seniors on the football team...]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Yeah, but it still means that you’re one of like eight guys on the team if my math is right. I’m pretty sure we both intended to be vague in choosing our usernames. So, we shouldn’t try figuring out who each other is. For now, let’s just be virtual friends instead of friends IRL.]
[HellBoy007: *laughs* Well, you’ve just effectively eliminated most of my team since none of them would say something like that. Alright, for now let’s play it your way and not look for each other.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: So, I guess this makes us pen pals lol. I’m curious though, if you’re a popular jock then why do you need to make virtual friends? I don’t mean that to sound mean or rude, I’m just curious.]
[HellBoy007: I play football for fun instead of scholarships since I’m actually smart enough for academic scholarships instead and I guess the other players don’t take me seriously because of it. I don’t view them as my friends just my team mates but I don’t have anyone else to talk to because everyone else lumps me in with them. And I guess since they like to bully people, that’s how I’m viewed too not that I ever participate or even know about it until after it’s already done.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Oh, I guess that makes sense. I’m sorry you’re so lonely. I can honestly relate because like I said earlier I only have one friend. Well, actually I guess I have two now :)]
[HellBoy007: Well, you have a point there. Let’s be lonely friends together :)]
[HellBoy007: Crap, I have to go for now. The football team has to gather for a meeting :( I’ll message you after though.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Okay, I’ll talk to you in a bit. Good luck with your meeting :)]
[HellBoy007: Thanks]
Sighing, I put my phone back in my pocket just as an announcement was made over the intercom for the football team to gather in the court yard. Looking at the clock, I realized class still had another half hour to go. So, as I listen to the teacher I stared out the window and watched the football team gather wondering who I was talking to. One boy in particular caught my eye with his long blonde hair, that was tied back in a half ponytail, blowing in the breeze like strings of pure gold against the navy blue of his letter man jacket that had it’s number hidden by the veil of golden strands. As he turned around, I realized I’d been staring at the wide receiver, Dante Holden, my crush and the same guy that gave me that odd look earlier today. Taking a minute, I studied all six feet of his well honed physique that was covered by a black v-neck shirt and dark wash jeans. I hadn’t realized I’d zoned out until my eyes met his gorgeous green ones as he smirked surprising me into looking away not wanting to get more of a beating than I already would.
“That was total freaky. It’s like he knew I was looking out the window at that exact moment” I thought as I stared at the clock willing it to go faster. Pulling out my phone, I messaged Charlotte and asked
[Want to “study” tonight?] A few minutes later, my phone pinged again alerting me to a new message just as Char replied
[If by study you mean hang out and relax watching TV, eating your delicious food, and talking. Then yes]
[That’s exactly what I mean, I need a break. Though I do have to go to work for a few hours later to cover Jadas’ shift because her kid is sick.]
[Alright, then let’s make it a “study sleepover”]
A few seconds later, a new message pinged on the BeYourself app. I smiled slightly at a message from my new friend.
[HellBoy007: Well, that was boring and a complete waste of time... Coach just increased our practice schedule for the upcoming rivalry game. *cue eye roll here* Sometimes I wonder why they care so much but I guess it makes sense since some of them are aiming to get scouted for scholarships. I know I should worry about that too but I’m honestly not. No one knows this yet but I’ve already been accepted to a good school back East.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Oh, congrats. I honestly never thought any of the football team had the brains for early acceptance. I’m glad to be proven wrong though. Can I ask what school and what you’re going for?]
[HellBoy007: Glad to prove you wrong. Actually, I did tell you I have the brains for academic scholarships but I have straight A’s and a 4.2 GPA (don’t use that to figure out who I am though). I got accepted to NYU for Psychology with a minor in Art Therapy.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Oh wow, I didn’t see that one coming. I wish I could chose what I wanted to do but I’m not even sure I’d know what that is since I’ve never had the choice.]
[HellBoy007: Well, maybe I can help you figure out what you want to do. What do you like to do, aside from studying although I get the impression that you don’t even like doing that most of the time.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: I don’t really know. My dad is so strict that I’m not really allowed to do much of anything. My mom will sneak me books sometimes but I’ve got to keep them hidden in a box in the back of my closet. I’ve never even taken any electives because my dad said they’re pointless but my best friends’ mom has been teaching me to cook. So, instead I’ve had to take extra regular course credits to make up for not taking those. I could graduate early if I wanted but I want the experience of walking across the stage with everyone else. The early acceptance I told you about earlier is to Columbia as an undecided major]
[HellBoy007: Well, maybe you can find another program there that would interest you. I know physical medicine isn’t for everyone but what about psychological medicine. I know that sounds like me trying to convince you to do what I’m doing but it would be a way to please your dad while still doing something you chose. Or maybe... Have you ever tried writing stories or something?]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Maybe... I’m just not sure he’d even accept that. I’ve never really been comfortable around blood but I’ve never had a problem with dissecting things. So, maybe I’ll just study medicine like dad wants but be a medical examiner instead. I really want to chose my own future though since I’m the one who has to live it. I’ve tried but I don’t think my stories were that good.]
[HellBoy007: Well, even if your dad doesn’t support you, I’m sure your mom will and even if we don’t know each other very well, I will always support your choices.]
[NerdyWannaBe18: Thanks HellBoy. LOL, you know that makes you sound like that comic book and movie character.]
[HellBoy007: Honestly, I hadn’t realized that. I just kind of meant it as a pun on my name. Oops, that might’ve given away who I am...] Shocked, I just stared at my phone thinking “oh my god, am I really talking to Dante?” Taking a deep breath, I wrote back
[NerdyWannaBe18: Maybe a little since there is only one guy on the football team or in the entire school whose name could be a pun involving Hell... I’ve always wondered if he was named for the Divine Comedy or the video game character though... Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone assuming you are who I think you are. But you don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to.] I waited for several minutes before giving up and just putting my phone away.
Staring out the window, I thought “I hope I didn’t freak him out too much. I’d be a little surprised if it’s Dante though, how could one of the most popular straight boys, who could have any girl he wants, be a closeted gay guy with a crush on a quiet nerd. I wonder who his crush is.” Chuckling to myself as the bell rang, I got up gathering up my things before putting in my headphones again and heading to my car to wait for Charlotte. Messaging my parents, I wrote
[Going to Charlotte's to study for a while before going into work. I've been asked to cover a shift for a coworker whose kid is sick today and then going back to Charlottes to help her study for an upcoming test] then quickly sent one to Char
[Waiting by my car for you. So, hurry up]
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