Most students would do anything to ditch Spanish classes, but not nerds. Johnny, Maddie and Jerome would certainly return to class.

Johnny led the way, in front of Jerome and Maddie, to class. He could make anyone believe that he was actually trying to be a hero and protect his nerdy friends; especially his girl. However, at any occasion of attempted assault, Johnny knew he would flinch and run behind Maddie and Jerome. Once in the hallway, he could see the row of students standing by either sides of the walls. They were all noisy until they took notice of the geeky souls in their presence.

At once, everyone became silent, staring daggers at the three bookworms who were walking through. Even a dummy would be able to tell that Johnny and his geeky friends were scared. They walked as if they were being pushed. Wobbly and unsteadily, they walked, turning their heads from right to left just so they would be able to swiftly duck in case a dangerous projectile comes flying through the air mistakenly.

Students of Springview High were always up to such malicious shenanigans, and when questioned on why they did such, they were always quick to give the excuse: "It was a mistake." Sadly, such mistakes were usually bloody for nerds like Johnny, Maddie and Jerome. A year ago, a pair of scissors came coursing through the air towards nerdy Johnny. Mindlessness left Johnny with five stitches that day. He wouldn't be that careless again. Not at all!

The all too familiar snickers of derision didn't bother the nerds so much. Not as much as it would have had projectiles been involved. They were humans after all, and as such, Johnny, Maddie and Jerome weren't happy being mocked just because they were voracious readers. However, nothing could be done about it, so they just went ahead and walked to class, ignoring the haters completely.

~~••~~••~~

Exams was in a week. Every student at Springview High had a reason to be angry. Every student except Johnny, Madison and Jerome. They were the reason for the furor. Everyone thought: What's the point? They will still come top!

In such a situation, a nerd's life becomes a difficult one. However, Johnny, Maddie and Jerome made it to the Spanish class, unscathed.

This was one of the rarest days ever. As a nerd, it was close to impossible to walk through a pack of angry nerd-haters without getting physically assaulted. Johnny was most grateful because he would have been the first person those mean beings would lay their hands on had something twitched in their brains.

They walked into class with warm fuzzies, until they caught sight of sleek dark hair. Dylan; he was in the Spanish class. Very bad! And even worse: he was sitting directly behind Johnny's table.

It's very intelligible that Dylan was officially crowned King of Springview High's nerd-haters. However, what Johnny couldn't get a hold of was why the dark-haired quarterback had so much hate for him in particular. Why hadn't he sat behind Maddie or Jerome? No, no, no. Not his Maddie! But, why was this beefy, nerd-bloodthirsty man seeking to devour him first?

Johnny's heart stopped at a moment when Dylan looked back and cracked his devilish grin. This day certainly wouldn't get any worse.

"Don't pay him any attention," Jerome said, reassuringly. "If he troubles you, tell on him."

With that said, Jerome went ahead to his table that was placed beside his sister's by the window. He cast a loathsome glare at the dark-haired football player as he walked towards his chair, but that didn't impress Johnny at all. Johnny didn't quite enjoy the uncaring statement Jerome made. He felt that Jerome, above every other person, should have known that a single complaint meant expulsion. Not that Dylan, if expelled, didn't deserve it, but Johnny was afraid that that would turn many other students against them. He wasn't trying to multiply his haters. He was seeking a way to give nerds like himself a life in Springview High.

It was probably too easy for Jerome to make such a comment because he wasn't the one who would have that beast behind him. Had Maddie not held his hand and flashed him a smile, Johnny was sure to end up being huffish about Jerome's comfortlessness. Well, who actually can refuse the care of a beautiful lady?

"Mr. Javier will soon be here," Maddie informed, her voice soothing and comforting. "Just go and sit."

Johnny said nothing. He could only consider the number of wicked tools of destruction that grinning, robust football player would have in his pockets. Maddie also seemed to be thinking the same as she whipped her head to Dylan who was staring back with a boyish grin.

"In fact," she suggested without taking her eyes off the beaming Dylan, "go to my table. I will sit by yours."

Dylan didn't seem too happy about that suggestion. The smirk on his lips vanished like candle flame would in a turbulent storm.

"No, you shouldn't do that," Johnny refuted, weakly. He inwardly wished she could get hard-nosed about her suggestion.

"I am not kidding," she stated, grimly. Her voice was girly, yet commanding.

No doubt, Johnny wasn't going to beg her to change her decision, but he didn't want to seem too eager to accept it either. "Are you sure about this?" he asked the auburn-haired girl.

After an immeasurable moment of silence, she smiled at him and said, "I am sure." She let go of Johnny at once and headed for his table.

She did it for me, Jordan smiled at himself as he walked towards Maddie's table. She saved my nerdy ass.

~~••~~••~~

Maddie kept following behind Jordan, admiring his slight bulk. From his brown hair to his slightly built shoulders and his thin arms. His grey blazer and jeans covered a whole lot which she would have loved to see, yet she found herself ogling

Yeah, he was her type. She didn't enjoy those boys with bulky frames that seemed very unearthly, and brown-haired males suddenly started seeming attractive to her.

There was yet this loveable thing about Johnny: he was too chivalrous for a nerd. In front, he walked, leading the way through this hallway of nerd-haters-filled without fear.

He is leading the way for me, she told herself.

She wished above all things that those nerd-haters wouldn't do something dreadful to Johnny. He was exhibiting the height of bravery for her. There should be no ruining it.

She knew... she knew Johnny was not the type who was good with the fists. She recalled an event which involved Dylan scaring the ghosts out of Johnny who ran behind her. That was proof that Johnny stood no chance when it involved exchange of blows or fending off dangerous projectiles in the air. Leading the way through this dangerous hallway was the bravest he could ever get.

Thankfully, nothing involving physical combats or projectiles happened until they reached the door to class. Madison wouldn't have enjoyed having the boy of her dreams running around like a wimpy kid. The more bravery he exhibited, the likelier it were that she would confess her feelings to him.

Oh yeah, she liked him, but that feeling, I-don't-know-if-I'd-be-accepted, had been a barrier to an open confession. If there was one thing Maddie knew about Johnny, it would be his aberrant love for books. He could kill for his books.

She recalled an event during a science class in which she had almost spilled coffee on Johnny's books. It never actually happened because she was quick enough to throw the cup of coffee away before falling. Despite her falling, Johnny never actually cared for nothing except his books. He kept repeating, "What if you had ruined my textbook?"

Now, what possibility was there that such a book lover would permit a love story for his life? Zero possibility, right?

~~••~~••~~

My dearest(s)!

I come again with a very tasty chapter with several romantic spices. Tell me: Spicy enough?

What do you think about Madison's perspective and her feelings for Johnny?

Don't forget to vote!

GShaquille.