I, Ache Vol. III

Ache Playlist | How the Mathlete Became King

Written by magicheart21

My name is Alden Richards, 18, a Senior in Mary Rose Memorial High School. I am Captain of the Chess Club, 3-time Math Quiz State Champion, 2-time National Spelling Bee Champion and President of the Young Inventors Club.

Sounds Cool.

NOT!

In this glorious year of 1979 when glam rock and disco dominated the world, being smart meant being a loser. I, with my smarty pants achievements, tall and lanky figure, large rimmed glasses, tie dyed shirts and bright red bell bottom pants, am the favorite subject of intimidation and bullying of the Brawny Bunch led by James Stevens a.k.a. the football team.

I have endured three years of bullying in this crazy jungle called high school from King James and his group. But not anymore.

This year will be different. This year I will not just survive in this school.

I am going to live.

Over the summer, I devised the perfect plan to do so and I only need two things:

One night- The Homecoming Dance

And

One girl- Stacy Williamson

Stacy, Prom Queen and Cheer captain, who now stood across the hall with her blonde hair tied up in a ponytail, blue eyes and blue and yellow cheerleader uniform is the most popular girl in school.

With the news of her breakup with James over the summer, The Queen is now open for dating and every male species in the campus who is brave enough can fight their way to that much coveted spot.

Of course, I was determined to take that chance.

I dedicated two months to improve my body structure to become stronger so the Brawny Bunch can't just pick me up and throw me around as they please.

So today, I mustered all the courage that I can. I bought some flowers and prepared to ask Stacy to the Homecoming Dance.

"Hi Alden."

I turned to the sweet voice that spoke to me and met a beautiful smiling face.

It was Maine Mendoza, Vice Cheer Captain and Editor-in-chief of the school paper.

Maine is very pretty.

I remembered how we used to be friends back in 5th grade. We sat beside each other in class, ate lunch together, biked home together and snuck out to catch dragonflies in the nearby riverbank.

That was before puberty happened and she became a goddess while I remained the slug everyone pushed around.

Over the years that we drifted apart, I resigned to the fact that I can only watch her from afar as she blossomed and thrived.

But Maine is an angel, she would always say a quick Hello or smile or wave at me to let me know that she was always there and in my heart I knew there will always be Maine.

But Maine is not the mission. Stacy is. Stacy is my ticket out of Loserville.

I walked up to Stacy while she was chatting with her friends including Maine.

"Stacy?"

She looked at me for a second and I could see the surprise in her eyes.

"What do you want?" She asked as she insultingly eyed me from head to toe.

"I... I was wo-wondering if you could go... with me to the d-dance." I stuttered, ready to hear a resounding No.

"Sure." She shrugged and I almost could not believe my ears.