Chapter 18
His Nerd
Ava
Itâs like time stops as I gaze in fright at the rose and the note. Itâs hard to believe that two words could have such an effect on me, but I can feel my breathing becoming shallow.
Itâs from him; it has to be. Who else would send me a rose with the exact words that could affect my heart? It wasnât likely to be Jessica.
Spinning around, I do a sweep of my surroundings, checking if anyone is watching me. No one even glances in my direction.
I turn to Lily, who is scarily quiet at my side. This is a shock because Lilyâs almost never at a loss for words. But right now, she is staring dumbfounded at the single rose clutched in my hand.
I smile at her reassuringly. I know what she is like; she probably thinks this is a trick or some mean prank. The thought had even crossed my mind that maybe Jessica was trying to mess with my mind and heart again, but sheâs not that smart, nor is this her style. Clearly, she prefers to humiliate me, capture it on her phone, and post it on social media.
I take Lilyâs hand in mine and pull her into a hug. It doesnât matter who the rose is from; it only matters that she is by my side because when love breaks your heart, your friends are there to pick up the pieces.
I grab my books and carefully place the rose back in my locker so that I donât ruin any of its beautiful petals. I then slam my locker shut and walk away.
The Three Musketeers didnât saunter down the hallway today, as usual, which means they must have skipped school. I sigh in relief. I wonât have to see Hunterâs smug face and that damn smirk that punctures my heart.
My first class is empty when I enter and move toward my usual seat at the front. (Yes, Iâm at the front because Iâm a nerd who likes to take notes.) In my chair is another white rose with a note.
This one reads, ~Iâm sorry.~
Itâs clear that these roses are meant to seem like theyâre from Hunter, but whether or not they actually are has yet to be confirmed.
As people start to file in, I shove the mysterious rose into my bag. I donât want to get questioned, and I need to focus on class.
***
After my class finishes, I have a free period, so I decide to head to the library for a little alone time with the books. I smile at the thought. Lily has a lesson now, so I have a whole hour I can spend in a fantasy world.
Iâve largely avoided the library since the incident with Drew, but sitting in a comfy beanbag at the back, I remember that this was once home. Settling down with ~Jane Eyre~, I am instantly sucked into the Victorian era.
Time flies as I follow Janeâs story, completely oblivious to the world around me. It is only when a book slams shut that I am jerked back to the cruel twenty-first century.
Before me stands a small, lanky boy that Iâve never seen before. He has shaggy blonde hair and brown eyes, and in his hand, he holds another white rose.
I am shocked. I donât even know this boyâwhy would he be sending me these roses?
The boy holds the rose out for me to take, and I do, smiling at him. When he leaves, I read the note, which is longer this time.
~Wipe that shocked look off your face, princess, itâs not him. Iâm sorry, but you need to hear my side of the story too, please. Be in the canteen for break.~
~Hunter.~
Iâm not shocked that his writing is so neat, but I am jealous. For a girl, my handwriting is pretty atrocious, let alone for a nerd.
Iâm not sure how to feel about this note. On the one hand, I donât owe him anything after he broke our rules and my heart. On the other hand, he deserves the chance to explain, right? There are two sides to every story; I know that better than anyone.
Plus, I want to know his motives.
Break is starting now, so I grab my book, place a bookmark in itâbecause folding the corner is treasonâand put it in my bag. I then leave the library and head toward the canteen so that I can get some answers. If I do, maybe, just maybe, my heart will be able to rest in peace.
In the canteen, I notice that most people are looking at me and whispering, but I hold my head high and head toward Lily, who sits at our original table. I walk over to her and take a seat.
Knowing that Iâll be facing Hunter soon, I donât feel like eating. I get out my book and start reading again. I know Lily doesnât mind, and sheâs busy texting on her phone anyway.
Five minutes later, the canteen goes quiet. I turn around to see Hunter with a massive bouquet of white roses in his hands.
I feel my breath hitch in my throat and my heart rate pick up as he utters two words. Two words that make my walls shatter to the ground.
âIâm sorry.â