The Secret Identity Of A Nerd

Chapter 5: The Truth Beneath His Mask

[HIS P.O.V.]

After eating our meals and waiting for a good few minutes we decided it was time to leave. Our so called "special treat" never arrived so we gave up and started getting ready to abandon the slowly emptying building.

"You know what guys," John interrupted our leaving with his sudden announcement, "I'ma stay behind. Gunna go... check something out."

Erik gazed at John with concern. "Are you sure, I'm the one with the car, how you getting home?"

"I'll catch a taxi, no worries." John bid us goodbye with a wave of his hand and rushed to the back entrance through the thick crowd.

We were exiting through the front door and headed towards the red vehicle owned by Erik. Though I felt like I was in a joyful mood I couldn't help but have this gnawing feeling at the back of my head. Something wasn't right. John, the most ruthless, straightforward person I have ever known, was being vague and mysterious. Whether it was about to rain or the most horrible thing was about to happen, I needed to see what he was up to.

As if sensing my idea Will grabbed my shoulder. I turned and looked at him to be greeted with his serious expression. He nodded at me and I did the same in return.

As my two friends were entering the car I scurried back into the large building. I stopped at the table we sat before when I noticed something sticking out in between the small centerpiece of flowers. I glanced over the paper, and stuck it back where it had originally laid. Peering at the clock near the door where I had thought the giant choir had emerged from. It proclaimed that it was ten till six; ten minutes before the promised time on the piece of paper. With as much energy as I could gather, I sped through the back doors and met with the scarlet colors of the sun.

A surprised and giddy John turned towards my direction as if expecting someone but when he caught a glimpse at who I was he instantly turned away disappointed. I walked towards him and stood stubbornly in front of him, blocking his blank and awaiting gaze from the lighted scenery. When he figured out that I wasn't going to budge anytime soon he sighed in exasperation and stood up. Shoving his hands in his pant pockets he began walking around the building. I trailed behind him and silence ran through us for a while. I wanted my questions answered but decided to wait until he was ready to give them to me.

We stopped no more than two blocks from Melody and sat on the wooden benches that were out for public use.

"Why?" I asked, figuring that now was the best time to question him.

He stared up at the sky as he put his hands behind his head. His eyes scanned the darkening ceiling of scarlet and purple as if trying to find something.

"I don't know."

I eyed him in confusion as he continued to stare up above.

"What do you mean?"

He groaned loudly in frustration and brought his head down. His hands lowered down to his neck as he pulled himself forward, propping his elbows on his knees. This caused him to shift his gaze from the sky to the dry ground.

"I just don't know, damn it! I'm so confused myself. It's just..." he sighed and sat up in his spot correctly. He turned to me and his eyes were reflected with torture and admiration. They carried a soft and gentle hue that I hadn't seen in a long time. From the time when he found his first love.

It was amazing at how responsible and mature he was at his young age many years ago. And it was all the cause of this one girl name Tanya. He fell deeply for her and whenever he spoke, she was always brought up into the subject. He always tried to sweep her off her feet with little sweet things.