Of Bullies and Nerds

Getting to Know Brody... Really?!

        "Ok Class, your seat partner and you will be assigned a story in the Bible that helps us with trusting in God's timing. Your first paragraph will be on the story, second about how God's timing was perfect in the story, third on a story of how his timing strengthened your faith, fourth on another story by the other partner, fifth on how you can remember this in the future, and sixth will be a closing. You need to incorporate a verse that isn't on your story and this is due October 3. That means you will have a whole three and a half weeks to work on this. I expect you all to participate." We all nodded in agreement and a hat was passed around with stories written on them.

        I switched my position in my seat for the seventh time in this class and I could here Brody sigh in exasperation. The hat finally came around and I picked it out due to Brody just ignoring me. It was the story of Ruth, and I knew that one pretty well.

        "So do you want to work at my house?" I asked, cringing at the fact I was speaking. I mean why was I speaking to this dude who crashed into me and then next ignores me. Like who does that?!... you know what, it's probably normal considering I've been in the real world for a day and a half now. He looked surprised that I spoke and nodded slowly. "When?" I said trying to get him to speak.

        "This weekend work?"

        "Yeah,"

        "So what's your next class?" He asked. I stared at him for a good five seconds trying to figure why he was speaking to me. That and I totally forgot what my classes were. Give me a break it's my first day!

        "Free period" He nodded and I saw a corner of his mouth turn up. "Why do you ask?"

        "Just wondering, oh and I have free period with you too." At this I slightly smiled.

        "So, I know this sounds weird but could I hang with you until I get some more friends?" He seemed to think for a while and then nodded with a slightly bigger smile.

        Just then the bell rang and the class cleared out the room. Brody and I were in the back of the pack and moved slowly. I followed him to his locker since mine was on the opposite side. We made our way to the playground where he went to the basketball courts.

        "Hey guys, this is... somebody." Normally I would be mad at him for not remembering my name but one he never heard it, and two his face was priceless. I actually laughed for the first time I woke up. I faced the guys and smiled a little.

        "Jennifer Nealson,"

"Right, Jennifer, this is Jenner, Conner, Haden, Lucas, Nathan, and Zayn." I waved hello and nodded. I wasn't sure why I was talking comfortably Brody a couple of minutes ago. "Jenner is Ms. Gradner's son so don't be miffed if he gets everything. Other than that he's a pretty good guy. Conner and Haden are brothers and Haden is actually in eighth grade. Lucas is pretty smart and will help you with most anything. He is amazing in basketball though. Nathan is the jokester in this group and will lighten the mood, even in the worst situations. However, that doesn't mean he isn't compassionate or respectful. Zayn is the quiet one, most mature, most positive, but don't get in his way of food or else all of that goes out the window."

        "And what about you, what do the others describe you as." I asked with upmost curiosity.

        "A handful," Lucas said

        "Doesn't' think before he does things" Zayn added.

        "Has a huge house" I think Conner mentioned.

        "Jeez thanks for the positive info guys." Brody mumbled. I chuckled a little but felt bad. I wondered why he was hanging out with them if they didn't' respect him.

        Free period went by pretty easily and I managed to become a little bit of friends with all of them. My next period was with Layla so at least I wasn't alone. After the visit with his friends we started walking around and Brody whistled a depressed tune.

        "What's wrong?" I asked

        "Nothing," Brody said under his breath. I stopped and raised one eyebrow daring him to lie to me. "Fine, my friends are complete jerks."

        "Says the one who is the 'School Bad Boy' " I said with quotes around my words. He scoffed and smiled slightly.

        "Well if you get to make assumptions so do I. Let me guess, wasn't smart enough because you are mentally disabled and you are always quiet because you have been verbally abused. You, annoyingly, change positions in your seat every five minutes because you are so short you can't see the board." By now my mouth was gaping. He saw my reaction and smirked. "See I got it wrong based off of guessing, gossip, and not getting to know you. You can try again anytime on me, but I am not as bad as they say." With that he passed me in the halls and started walking off. What the Heck just happened? I ran after him.

        "Wait, Brody" He turned around with an amused look. "I'm sorry, i-it's just that, I-I don't get the whole not judging thing. It's been a while since I've been to school." It wasn't a lie at all, I've been in a hospital, but I didn't want to tell him that my mind sometimes still acted like a fist grader. He nodded and waited for me to catch up to him.

        "I am willing to be friends with you if you don't judge like that again." I nodded and smiled. "Then, Jennifer, I think this is a start of a beautiful friendship." We laughed together and continued walking.

        "So tell me about yourself so I don't have to assume." I said with a sly smile. He chuckled and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

        "Well I am thirteen, my dad is a millionaire, I have two brothers, and I enjoy sports. I am really scared of lightning and I want to live Tennessee when I am done with college." He said with a smile. He looked over to me and bumped me with his elbow. "What about you?" I froze, what was I going to tell him?

        "Uh, I am a only child, I am thirteen, my mom died a couple years ago, and I am best friends with Andrew Hart." Just then the bell rang again. We parted ways and I walked in class. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I thought.

A/N: Hey everyone, so Noah Centineo plays Brody. What do you all think of the story???