The Nerd Diaries

Shake off the image

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(Dean's POV)

"Um... uh... the... What was the question again?" I stammered. I tugged on my collar because it started to get hot all of a sudden.

"Who is Natalie?" Don repeated.

"She's... uh", I can't really think at this point. What if Suzy is watching, she'll be heartbroken if I said that Natalie is a very special girl to me. But, I can't deal with driving my self crazy by pretending I don't think about her everyday. "Natalie Saxton is a beautiful person that holds a special place in my heart. I don't know why, or how she reserved this spot, but she did. The way she stood up to me when I was being a dick to her was amazing. Everyone sees me as this huge star while she sees this vulnerable teen that wants to be normal. Even Suzy uses me as a fame booster. But Natalie is different. Some people hate being different, she doesn't. She embraces it. I think people see that wonderful quality about her and that's why they hate on her. All of those kids at her school can suck my ass. Natalie is one of a kind and you all should take advice from her. I love Natalie. There, I said it. I LOVE NATALIE SAXTON."

"Natalie Saxton? Your boss' daughter?"

"Yeah", I confirmed.

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(Natalie's POV)

I stared at the television screen at a local Dunkin' Donuts, stunned from what I heard. Is what Dean really said true? I mean, I'm flattered but, I'm no Angelina Jolie. I'm not special. I don't deserve any of this.

"Natalie", says a voice behind me. I turn and see Jeremy standing by the door with Suzy. I really hope Suzy didn't hear Dean's confession on live tv. Who knows what is going through her poor head.

"Suzy I'm-" she raised her hand to silence me. I could tell she was upset. Her nose was pink and she tried to hold back the tears. She took a seat next to me.

"I knew that he liked you more than me ever since he called me the night after he met you", Suzy starts. A tear rolls down her cheek which only makes me want to bawl my eyes out. "Every time I said something, there was silence, like his mind drifted away. I asked him who he saw today and he told me 'the cast, the crew, and my boss' daughter, Natalie.' He went on and on about how he was being an ass and you snapped him out of it. After we hung up, I cried. All I want is someone to love me. My dad is gone, my mom just wants my money, I have no friends, and the only person who gave me the time of day was Dean. Now he's gone. Who's left for me?"

"Suzy, I-"

"I don't hate you. God, I don't hate you. It's not your fault that Dean has feelings for you. But, I am jealous. I wish someone would say something like that on tv about me. So don't worry, we're still friends. Just, please don't ever leave me."

I was taken by surprise by everything that came out of Suzy's mouth. If I were in her shoes, I would've murdered myself. I guess everyone makes different choices in the same situation.

"Definitely", I said before wrapping our arms around each other. "But, I'm still dating Jeremy."

Suzy's body tensed up. She jumped back and stared at me. "No... no, no... no, no, no!"

"Are you okay?" Suzy is the strangest person ever.

She gripped both of my arms and shook me. "Dean is the most sensitive guy ever. You can't do this to him, Nat."

"He can't get everything he wants. He can't say all of those sweet things on tv and then expect me to just live happily ever after with him. I'm going to continue dating Jeremy as long as I can, and that's that."

Suzy let's go of my arms and sighed. "Fine. But if he does something drastic, it's on your conscience."

I look to the door where Jeremy was leaning against the trash can. "Can I talk to him alone?"

Suzy nodded and told Jeremy to take her place. Jeremy followed instructions and sat in front of me. I really wanted to scream in his face for not telling me he was a former child star, but I want to give him a chance to explain himself. See? I'm a good girlfriend.

"Why didn't you tell me you used to act?" I asked.

Jeremy glanced down at his hands. "Because I didn't want you to like me for being an actor."

"So, you didn't give up acting?"

"No, it's just that... It's hard for child stars to move on from a role. Especially when the movie was a humongous hit and since I was the lead, it's hard to shake the image off. When I tell people I'm Jeremy King, they automatically remember that innocent baby and not the seventeen year old right in front of them. Sometimes I want to just go crazy to prove that I'm not that baby anymore but, it wouldn't be me. So please don't be mad at me."

I paused. "I'm not mad. I'm the complete opposite of mad. I think you're just the most adorable person ever."

I threw my arms over his neck and squeezed him so tight. He could barely breathe.

I let go once I realize that I have one more person to talk to. Someone who needs a stern talking to.

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A/N

I was inspired by that episode of Hannah Montana and a comment from one of you guys.

The book is almost coming to an end guys.

Who will Natalie end up with?