Nerds Are Lovable

35: Nerds Are Nerds

Jaxon comes running up to Emma, who is leaning against the locker next to mine. She's chatting away about how Evan and Trevor were caught making out at a party last night. Who the fuck are Evan and Trevor, I don't know. But apparently this is the gossip of the century, so I listen.

"Happy Valentine's day, my valentine," Jaxon hugs Emma from behind her, leaning his chin over her shoulder.

Emma blushes and leans into her boyfriend, taking the flowers he had in his hand. She turns to him and kisses him, Jaxon moving his way to be at Emma's side. They smile at each other lovingly for a second too long and I clear my throat to remind them I'm right there.

"How are you, Haley?" Jaxon raises his eyebrows at me, clearly insinuating something.

"Jayden told you, huh," I smirk at him.

He nods, "He's very detailed."

My eyes go wide at his response. Is Jayden out here kissing and telling Jaxon Phillips out of all people? I don't have a response for him, my mouth just gaping open.

"I'm just kidding, Haley, he just told me y'all are dating."

I relax at his statement but still look around me to see if anyone could've heard was Jaxon said. I never got a chance to ask him how he felt about all the attention at school. I'm scared the constant attention and looks and rumors from everyone at school will drive him away from me.

I'm scared to lose him.

The three of us start making our way to class, splitting off as we need. I end up walking alone the rest of the way to my class, looking around at the few students that are also hustling their way to class. My face falls slightly as I realize I won't see Jayden until later today, maybe not even until our tutoring session.

After my first class I'm immediately cornered by my least favorite person at this school. Nay, the planet. And I was actually having a decent day for once. Other than my overthinking about Jayden. And my fear of losing him. And the impending doom of everyone finding out about us. Okay, I'm realizing it's not that decent of a day.

"Happy Valentine's day, Haley," My body tenses at the sound of the unfortunately familiar voice.

"I'm not your valentine, Chad," I turn around, crossing my arms and giving him a pointed look.

He has his signature smirk plastered on his face, winking at me once I've turned around. I have to restrain myself from rolling my eyes, actually no, I fucking roll my eyes hard at this douche bag.

"Of course you're my valentine, sweet cheeks," He calls me the worst nickname known to man, "The guy decides who his valentine is."

Fucking patriarcal shithead.

"Choose a fucking different one then," I step forward threateningly, "I'm already someone's valentine."

He steps closer to me, trying to press himself against me. Like that's going to convince me to 'be his valentine'. That's only called being harassed.

He laughs, almost mockingly, "Emma doesn't count."

"It's not Emma," I grow increasingly irritated.

Chad continues to step closer to me, for some reason thinking I'm teasing him instead of trying to make him leave me the fuck alone. He manages to push me against the lockers behind me, one arm leaning over me against the lockers as well. He towers over me, coming off menacing.

"Who's your valentine, Haley?"

"None of your fucking business," I hold my ground.

He punches the lockers with the hand that was leaning against them, the sound ricocheting down the hallway. My ears tingle at the loud sound next to me. Everyone that's currently in the hallway, which is like everyone, stops what they're doing and turn to us. Great, new rumors.