Nerd Life

"Nerd," I heard Quinn Carson mutter under her breath as I was fumbling with my locker that Friday afternoon. I gave her a sideways glance and saw that she was giving me an amused look and a watchful eye as she placed all her books inside her locker.

I ignored her and turned my attention to making my locker combination work for the hundredth time.

"Hey gorgeous!" I heard an all too familiar husky voice from behind me. I turned to the direction of his voice and found myself staring at the most gorgeous face I have ever seen.

I gave him a weak smile and he nodded at my direction politely as he moved his way to his girlfriend, Quinn.

Yes, some people manage to have all the luck. Quinn is one of them. Queen bee, head cheerleader, student government president, girlfriend of TJ Heath: Brunswick high's version of a demi-god. For all the things she has, you would imagine her to at least have a decent attitude. But really, NICE is definitely the farthest thing you can say about her.

I turned my attention to TJ and began to wonder why on earth would he even fall for someone like her.

Don't get me wrong. Quinn is the most beautiful girl I know. Literally. Once, there was even a rumor that she was supposed to be the cover of Seventeen Magazine. She is THAT good looking.

But I really think more of TJ than meets the eye. Sure, he is the ultimate eye-candy. His boyish look is really appealing and he can even give Taylor Lautner a run for his money. But hiding behind his golden boy looks and rock abs is his great personality. Unlike other popular guys in school, TJ manages to be nice to someone like me. Whether this was because he and I have been friends since diaper days, or perhaps due to the fact that I am best friends with her step sister didn't really matter. Because generally, he treats our kind well. Yes, I meant us nerds.

"Take a picture, it will last longer," Quinn spat at me with distaste as her hands were snaking around TJ's body.

TJ gave out a friendly laugh and looked at Quinn, "C'mon Quinn. You didn't mean that right?"

"Of course, hon. It's a joke," She told him with his sheepish eyes and turned to me, "Right , Phoenix?"

"Of course," I said slowly and turned my attention to my locker. I fumbled with the combination for the Nth time but it still didn't budge. I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Here," TJ said as he stepped away from Quinn's embrace, "Let me help."

"No!" Quinn half-screamed, panic suddenly crossing her usually calm and confident face.

"Don't be silly hon," TJ said as I moved away from my locker to give him space, "we all know how this school's locker is such a nightmare. All this needs is a little bit of persuasion. . . And force."

Quinn was insistent. She kept on pulling TJ's arm while he continued to shove her away. I stepped back as I watch him slam my locker door with his open palms.

Then it happened, an avalanche of wet soil, grass and worm came flooding the hallways.

"Oh no!" I gasped as I watched TJ fumble backwards and slowly fell on the floor with a good amount of pure dirt on his shirt and jeans.

I watched in horror as Quinn went by his side, coming up with lame excuses and apologies on what happened. TJ kept calm as he stood up fluidly and brushed off as much dirt as he could.

"I'm sorry," Quinn was near tears now, "It wasn't supposed to be you who'd open that locker. It was supposed be her."

TJ shook his head and walked away without a word.

"Wait!" Quinn shouted as she ran towards him, while giving me the evil eye.

The whole student body who witnessed the charade was now buzzing. Everyone gave me a weird look as I stood in the middle of the hallway.

Talk about awkward.

Just as I was about to leave the place to look for the janitor, a freshman girl walked up to me with a frown.

"This is all your fault," she said in disgust and walked away with a revolted look.

Yes, welcome to my life.