PlayDate [#wattys2015]

Chink in Armor

* AVERY *

I could search up 99 problems in my history, and Caleb Sterling was one of them. He had to transfer to Milgram Mitereid Manhattan High during the middle of freshmen year. Everything changed when he arrived at school that day...

"Did you hear about the new kid in school? I heard he's too hot to handle. All the freshman girls offered to give him a quick tour around the school before trying to flirt with him. I don't believe he's 'all that' just because he's got the looks," Tucker objected based on rumors. I haven't met the new kid yet, so I couldn't concur with him.

"Let's give the guy a chance. He could be useful for the football team, but he'll never be a great captain like you," I complimented, hoping Tucker got the hint I had a crush on him. I think I nailed it.

"Pfft! This guy doesn't have the nerve to try to take my position. I heard he won his regional science fair 3 years in a row, and he's hoping to become a lawyer to help others when they're in need. He may have fooled almost all the girls in school, but he can't fool me."

I failed it. Tucker was as oblivious to my hints as a housefly flying toward a closed window.

"Just think about it bef-" Whoa.

Who was that?

"That's Caleb Sterling," Tucker jabbed a finger in Caleb's direction, "the womanizer." Tucker was definitely wrong about him not being 'all that'. He's got the looks and the brains, based on the amount of AP textbooks he was carrying. He had a structured crew cut hairdo with glimmering color of brownish-blue eyes that could change back and forth like a mood ring. His shirt said "Forever Jung." What did that mean? One thing was certain: He was a hybrid; half-charming and half-geek.

He was looking around the hallway before noticing us. Kindly, he waved at us showing he came in peace. He was some kind of alien that could take over the school with his looks and his personality. Tucker wasn't going to get along with him at all. He'd try to send him back to his home planet. I was so distracted by the new kid that I barely noticed Brad calling out my name numerous times. Not again.

Brad was the weirdest nerd I've ever met. Behind those glasses, braces, and that hideous beanie, he was a supermodel seeking to blossom from its seed. He asked me out every year, and it had always been the same answer with compliment sandwiches.

"Before you say anything, I want to tell you that I've been working on this poem for about a week," he cleared his throat before beginning the first stanza.

"All the creatures of the world couldn't be as beautiful as you.

Victoria's Secret was missing an angel in their company.

Every boy doesn't know how brilliant you are like I do.

Remember that kiss we had during recess underneath a tree?

You w-"

It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, writing me a lovely poem that he read on his note card, until he got interrupted by Tucker snatching them before reading the last part himself.

"You will always be that special someone in my heart, so will you go out with me?" he mimicked Shakespearean style.

Tucker laughed before ripping it to pieces. Brad's reaction was difficult to not yearn for, but it was even more shameful to watch when Tucker took Brad's glasses.

"Come on Tucker, give him back his glasses," I requested. My request had been denied.

"Yes, Tucker. Give him back his glasses," a voice repeated menacingly.