Stuck Between The Pages

Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX: HOME

Congratulations. Your official super-nerd badge is in the mail.
-Rachel Vincent

When we all woke up we were still in a daze, me and Robin sat silent side by side as she read over her newly retrieved poem.

Nell was the one that tried to get all the kids together, but I don't think she knew how hard of a task that would be.

Because when Rylie is tired, she gets moody.

Especially when she's around Eli because then she gets protective and moody.

Which is why it wasn't surprising to hear my little sister shout "My big brother told me if I have nothing nice to say then don't say anything," along with the sound of crying. Which was followed quickly by, "But he can't stop me and you're a bitch!"

Not a minute later, Penelope Alcott came sauntering towards us with Rylie thrown over her shoulder, Ben and Joey trailing behind her with Elijah skipping at her side with a gleeful smile on his face.

Well, I clearly missed something.

"Birdie?" She glances up to me, eyebrow raised. "Can we be friends?"

I don't really know why, since nothing I said was suggestive at all, but Robin flushes. "Yeah um, sure?"

"Don't worry," I ruffle her hair, grinning. "I still won't ask you for your math homework or bully you for lunch money."

Her blue eyes narrow at me, nose wrinkling. "You don't even eat lunch."

Raising an eyebrow at her, I cross my arms. "And how do you know that?"

The nerd's blush only grows, and she refuses to answer.

"Say, Birdie, do you pay attention to me?" Wiggling my eyebrows, I lean closer to her, ignoring how hard my heart starts to pound. "How long have you been wanting to be my friend?"

And how have I not caught her looking at me?

Given how much I look at her, it should be a no brainer.

Robin seems to relax at my words, leaning back onto one arm. "You're such an idiot."

"Says the most nerdy nerd around."

I love it when she giggles, "Is that even an insult?"

Grinning, I shrug. "Do you feel insulted?"

She shakes her head. "Not in the slightest."

Damn," I snap my fingers. "I thought that would really work!"

"Otaku!" Benjamin shouts, running past me only to slap my forehead.

"Hey, watashi wa chigaimasu geek!" I shout in reply, scrambling up to follow him. "You're a giant otaku, if that's the case."

Catching him around the middle, I angle my now shrieking brother over my shoulder.

Nell, who caught up to me and Robin, turns down to Eli and Joey. "Don't you two start now."

Smiling sheepishly, Joey raises his hands defensively and Elijah bows his head. "Yes, okasan."

The skater only frown at him.

"He's being polite." I fill in, winking at the nerd, who looks more than curious at the moment. "Sobakasu."

Wrinkling her nose at me, curls falling around her face, Robin says, "If you're insulting me, it's not working."

"Kanojo ni koi o shite imasen ka?" Ben asks teasingly. "If you do, wakarimasen my kareshi."