"Pass the salt." She nudged at Travis' hand  for the umpteenth time and he was getting furious. He was shooting lasers at her, but she preferred not to be aware of it.

It was an awkward silence as the only sound they could hear was that of the cutleries and the sounds of chewing food. The sound which irritated Wren.

Apart from the usual greeting "Hello,"

"Hi"

"How is school going for you? "

"Great."

"Twelfth Grade, right? "

"Yes"

"Wow. Which school did you apply for?"

"Harvard"

There was no other word again. Wren got bored. He acted like he didn't already know all of this from her mother, after all a responsible father should keep tabs on his beloved child.

Next thing, the questioning was directed to Travis. He answered back enthusiastically and happily. One would think these two had known themselves for awhile and it looked like she was the only one having a hard time here. Almost.

Her mother was another person who wasn't comfortable, she had barely said any word to anyone except. "Do you want any more mayo?"  Or she would walk into the kitchen, bringing more food, or clearing a few dishes.

Wren and her mother hadn't officially spoken about this, but the look in her eyes showed that she shouldn't embarrass Richard. Or even show in the slightest way that they weren't properly trained.  With the way she corrected them when they wanted to use their hand to pick the meat, and when they wanted to talk.

Her eyes were saying, 'zip it', and she wondered if she felt sorry or guilty for anything. She wanted her mother to apologize to her, to feel sorry for what she did, even if she didn't say it, she wanted her to show it, it ways other than rubbing it to their face how much in love she was with Richard.

"So, I was about to say. I and your mother are going to get married this Fall."

The sound of cutleries against ceramic wares was heard and it was from Wren. Her life was going to change forever. With her mother, with Mr Richard, and the new family they we're going to make with Rachel, her core enemy.

"Wow."

Travis had said. And just that meant a lot of things, no one knew if he was surprised, or excited, or angry about the news. All he said was "Wow." It looked like they didn't know their mother anymore. The life of luxury was going to snatched their mother away from them.

***
"We need to talk"

She had read the text from Ryder this morning. And she was worried what must be wrong. Sh

"I'm so sorry, Ryder. This thing between us,  won't work. " she broke, the sadness in his eyes were too deep for her to bear, she looked away.

"There was nothing between us, anyways. I was going to ask you out, but seeing we won't be in each other's lives in a couple of weeks, I didn't see the need."

She stared in confusion, she remembered him calling her girlfriend just yesterday. She couldn't believe she read meaning into small things, and as if listening to her mind, he addressed it.

"I called you that, yesterday only to tease you. Besides you were frowning a lot. And those words at least made you smile. Your smile was all I wanted." He touched her left cheek with his palm.

She didn't know whether to be relieved or to cry. She felt sour, Ryder was the first guy to make her feel special, to make her feel loved and without that, she didn't know what she'd do.

"You're not staying for the summer?"

"No, no. My parents were insistent on me coming over immediately after graduation. So I get to study my environment proper before started school in Fall."

He knew she wanted to ask about what he announced the other day. But then he beat her to it.

"Yeah. I know. My halmeoni died. Mother is already furious I wasn't there to receive her blessings. The family is meant to be together so her will will be read and she be buried."

Tears stung to her eyes, threatening to fall off. "I'm so sorry. How do you feel about it?"

"I'm fine. She has lived a long life. And a good one at that."

Wren couldn't believe she wouldn't be seeing this beautiful face anymore and her heart ached.

"What we had was special, Princess. And I've not felt for any girl the way I felt for you."

Her heart clenched, he was already referring her to the past. So, that was it, she was his past life now and in the next ten years or so, he'd have a Korean beauty next to his side as his wife. His life was definitely going to change, so was hers.

"Anyways, I was your first kiss, right? Drunk or not, a kiss is a kiss. "

She almost flew her hand to her face, slapping it. He still thought he was her first kiss, and for some reason, it made him happy, he hadn't known about hers and Tristan's kiss at her house, and she planned to keep it that way. She didn't want the small smile that had formed in his face fading out.

"Yeah" she returned with a small smile. "I'll miss you so much, Ryder Kim." Her eyes were glassy with tears.

"I'll miss you too, Wren Esther Kingston." He replied, gritting his teeth. When her did that, he was holding back an emotion, and she knew he didn't want to cry in front of her , she equally didn't want him to, if for anything, so she wouldn't ruin her makeover. He remembered her Jewish name! Almost nobody called her that, except Tristan's mother, of course.

"I'd have asked you to prom, but seems you'd better hear that from Tristan." He gave a sad smile and she wish she could sick it away. She felt bad for making this sweet boy sad. She wished him a hot Korean model, who would make his life beautiful again.

"Come here." She said, as she spread her arms, inviting him in. She didn't know what she was doing, but she thought this was the most she could do at this time.

He smiled, as he towered her proudly in an embrace, and bent his head to her length. His scent filled her nose and she wanted to stay here longer, he looked like he also was clinging to her and didn't want to let go. She heard his throat bob and she wished he didn't cry, it would only make her feel worse.

Their embrace took her down memory lane, how much of a friend Ryder had been to her, and how sweet he had continued being. Ryder was her definition of perfect, but some unruly idiot just had to steal her heart. This was when she understood that we don't chose who we fall in love with, because if she did, she would choose Ryder Kim all over again.

***
She was convinced of her feelings now, and everything seemed clear. She was in love with Tristan, she always had been. She only tried to conceal it because of all what Tristan made her go through. She was going to meet him, she was going to kiss him, she was going to show him.

She increased her pace as she walked down to where she knew Tristan would be and there he was, sitter in the old art room, doing what she didn't recognize. He was wearing a green hoodie today. Only when she heard the music he produced was she convinced of what he was doing. He was playing the keyboard!

She recalled that he was part of a band, where he once headed and Nathan took over after his father literally plucked him off of them. And he looked like a child whose candy was taken away from. Now she understood why he would rather not be associated with a child-candy-snatcher.

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you...

He stopped for awhile, looking like he wanted to master his guitar. He was a strong player, he looked like someone who was very good with it, and then along the way stopped, because he got a few keys wrong, but his voice couldn't go any wrong. And it was in this silence she realized she had been crying. She sniffed, and it was loud, because the room was empty and little sounds can resonate.

He turned to face her and she felt so embarrassed. He looked tired and when he saw her, it was like his green eyes flashed. She expected everything from him, lash out, snob, walk out. But she didn't expect to hear him call her name like he had been starved of it.

"Wrennie Birdie... "

He had called and she swore this was the perfectest way her name had been called. Yet, she stood transfixed, not knowing what to do. Before now, she thought she would run in here, grab him and kiss him nonsense, but here everything was before her, she couldn't do anything but cry. She didn't know why exactly she was crying, but she knew she missed her friend. He looked so hot and yet innocent, his eyebrows bushy, his hair messy and his lips chapped.

He stood up, his face fell when he saw her cry. She expected him to call her crazy and walk off, or say one of the many mean things he said to her, but he didn't. He only walked the distance to her, her dream from the other night came replaying again, and she felt all her senses go numb.

He closed the distance between them and she felt she was going to pass out. This definitely wasn't the first time she had hugged Tristan, but there was something about this hug, there was something intimate about this, there was something special about this one. There they stood, in each other's arms, a lot of unsaid words, but their hearts knew what they wanted, their eyes spoke for them and their bodies complimented it all.

"I love you."

She felt hot air fanning her  neck as she heard him say those words. She wrapped her arms around his neck saying those words back, making him shocked to his marrows. She didn't know why he looked shocked. Wasn't he the most clueless being in the world? How could he not have known that she had always loved him? That her heart beat for only him? That it was only her pride that had separated them? That she dreamed about him for days? That she longed so much for his touch, for his love, for his heart? Wasn't it so obvious she loves the attention her gave her? That she loved the time she spent with him and would do anything to be with him?

"So you finally fell for my charms." He winked, immediately recovering from the shock. "I knew you wouldn't resist me for too long." He winked again.

Speak of who was being an arrogant bastard. She immediately matched him on his sheen.

"Awe so violent, baby. I love you so much. I have always waited, longed for the day you would see me the way I saw you."

She didn't know how he could turn from being rude to being too sweet, she might end up feeding on her tears today.

"I've always loved you. You fascinated me. Right from the day you walked into English class with that ridiculous T-shirt. Babe, you had some aura challenging me, and I loved that about you."

"I thought you loved Rachel." Tears stung her eyes, and she immediately regretted why she had to ruin the moment by mentioning his ex lover. A frown clamped to her forehead when the name was mentioned, and his arms around her back loosened and she felt much worse.

"Rachel. Rachel, I never felt for her the way I feel for you. She's a special friend whom I hurt so much. I always wanted to get back to Nathan because I felt he had everything. I held on to Rachel like she was an object —"

"Like the way you did with me? Did you feel you had to get me because you thought me and Nathan was close? Was that why you always fought with him? "

She hated to ruin the mood, but she couldn't help her insecurities. She was all down for him if he was the same for her. She felt a need to be selfish with him, she didn't want to share him with anybody. He was all hers, and hers alone.

"At the start, yes. But then I fell in love with you. I told Nathan all those nasty things about you in the boys bathroom because I was jealous of him. He had the two women I valued so much wrapped around his little finger. "

She hit his chest. "I'm the only one special to you." She didn't know what was coming over her. But they said, love made one crazy. And she guessed that was what was happening with her now.

"Of course, baby. "

He stared longingly at her full lips as if seeking for permission. She tiptoed and connected them together and she felt all the butterflies in her stomach rise and fluttering. He kissed her lower lip hard and slow, as if he had been starved, as if he had been thinking about doing it and finally had the chance to, as if he couldn't get enough of her, as she couldn't get enough of him. She drank into his soul, running her hand through his hair as he lifted her. Just then, her dream came back to her again and she smiled. She felt so hot, and she was frustrated the hoodie he was wearing didn't give her enough access to roam his body.

"I can swear it. This is the best kiss of your life."

"I love you too."

"Awe, she can't get enough of me."

She kissed him again, shutting him up as the whole process started from the beginning. His eyes were filled with lust as he stares at her opened button, kissing her neck. He lifted her as she wrapped her legs round his torso and she shook when she felt his erection in her core. She came down slowly making him moan.

"Uh, we have to go back to class." She bit her lip.

"Bad girl."

"No, I'm the nerd. " she sealed it with a wink.

****

And with that! We've come to the end of The Nerdy Girl! Took me so long, phew.

I really want to appreciate everyone who kept reading, despite my laxity towards this book. I gave up severally, hated the way the plot went, hated my characters , but I stood up again and I wrote again! Special thanks to fayth_aidan for the special book cover, kv_wilson for always reading, RuthieEbun for encouraging me to write, wendara for reading and fingering me! I love you babe! lex_nc Celine_Milly for her incessant comments! And so many others I didn't mention. And most importantly, the most special writing community, FWC_official these guys are awesome! I don't know what type of write I'd have been without them. I've learnt so much and still learning from them, they've encouraged me in so many ways and I'm so thankful to blackinker for creating this wonderful community. God bless you, sir!

The epilogue comes after this chapter and in subsequent times, I'd post sequels on this post. I'm the most excited writer having finished this, now I have to concentrate squarely on my other books. Thank you so much, lovers!