"GET UP! GET UP AND SHOWER! GET UP! GET UP AND SHOWER," my alarm blared from my bedside.

I groaned in annoyance as Ali's voice rang throughout the room.

Damn! I really need to change my password.

She's still gonna get it out of you anyway.

I hate it when my brain is right.

I tried to reach out for my phone that had Ali's voice blaring out of it. But before I could even touch it, I tumbled down the bed and fell face first on the floor

Just great.

The duvet was wrapped around me, trapping me in a cocoon. After five minutes of struggling hard, I finally got out of it and went to shower.

The only reason why I actually go to school without much complaint is because I know that my dearest Muffin will kick my ass if I don't show up. And of course for soccer.

I don't even know why she wants me to show up when she doesn't even let me talk to her in school.

But that's my best friend for you all. I swear she makes me feel like a pussy when I'm with her. And that stupid girl won't even audition for the Hunt. I really worry about the situation she's in. She needs to get over her fear of going on stage without being laughed at.

And I really need to do something about it.

I let the warm water wash away the frustrations as I got ready for school. I had an early practice today. Coach wanted to train me better for the upcoming soccer competition for The Hunt. I had a tough competition with one of my own team mates so I really needed to practice more.

I jogged downstairs with my bag hung on one of my shoulders and my sports kit in my hands.

"Bye Mom. I'll see you after school" I called out to mom as I took the keys for my car.

"Have a good day honey!" I heard mom shout back.

Sitting in my car, I took off

*****

"Oh man, coach is on serious butt-kicking mode since the trials happened," Seth, who was the best striker on the team spoke up as we changed in the locker rooms.

"Yeah man, he is just worried that we won't be good enough to compete and win the Hunt, speaking of which, do you think you'll get selected?" I asked, picking up my soccer bag.

"I don't know, but the way coach has been making us practice, I think that we might have a chance," he spoke up.

I just nodded in response. I really wanted to get selected. It was no secret that it was my dream to be in the national team and for that, impressing the scouts was really important.

I walked out of the locker room and went to my locker to take the books for my first class. I took out the books and spotted my favourite girl of all times. She was animatedly talking to her new auburn-haired friend, Sam, l think that's her name. I grinned as I saw her come down the hallway, with a cute frown on her face as she disagreed with Sam on something.

The bracelet that I had gifted to her, dangled from her wrist as she walked. I decided to mess with her and I started walking towards her. But before I could even go five steps forward, I was interrupted when two arms wrapped around my waist, preventing me from going any further.

I looked at the person who had stopped me, and came face to face with none other than Shelly.

I groaned.

She seemed to take my groan as one of excitement as she giggled.

"Oh Aary, I didn't know you loved my presence so much."

"That's because I don't." I answered flatly.

She giggled again,"Oh you're so funny. I know you can't live without me at all," she said sliding her hands down my chest.

I shuddered. "Uh, yeah. Okay. I need to go. Now," i tried to pry her hands off me and stepped forward, only to be stopped by her again.

I held back a groan. And I thought these kind of girls only existed in books and chick-flicks. I really need to stop watching those with Muffin if I want to save my manhood.

"Aary, guess what? I have a surprise for you. Something that'll teach those stupid nerds not to mess with me," she spoke. I ignored her.

She really needed to get a hint when a person was least interested. And the worst part is that she won't even break up. I tried so many times, but no, the woman doesn't listen.

I was literally ready to tell her to piss off when the rest of the popular group came. Keith and Jester came and greeted me.

"Dude, you've got to come and see this," he said, gesturing for me to follow him.

"Seriously, it's this month's best one," Jester hi fived him.

Confused, I followed them, with Shelly close behind.

They led us to the back side of the school where a big crowd had gathered. I looked up and the colour drained from my face as I took in the scene.

There was a girl, with big glasses- which Shelly made them wear- and loose jeans. The thing that struck me was that she was tied to the flag pole in the sun. Her skin was already burnt in some places. The whole crowd was either laughing or taking pictures.

The nerds were not in sight. It was the whole popular group.

"What the heck, guys?" I nearly yelled.

Tears streamed down the girl's face as she beared the humiliation.

Jester took my response as a positive one and laughed all the more.

Their bullying was going way too far. Just yesterday I had saved a boy who had been tied up in toilet paper with no pants on and a duct tape on his mouth.

And why was he in this condition, you ask?

The answer is that he forgot to wear his glasses to school.

I was really fed up with their treatment. I didn't even know what these people did wrong. I was really frustrated with their pranks.

Sometimes even I didn't know why I got so upset.

Maybe it's because you're scared that they'll do something similar so your Muffin.

Trying to think of something, I shoved my way through the crowd. I didn't have to shove much since people gave way to me on their own.

I turned to face the crown. Keeping the anger out of my voice, I shouted.

"Guys, show's over. Back to your classes now."

I heard groans of people as they started to protest.

"Classes. Now. Or else you won't belong to the populars anymore."

This made them scatter in no time.

"Aw, man. We just started having fun,"Jester said, making me want to punch him.

"The principal is on his way. Do you want to get caught?" I made up an excuse.

Hearing this, he shut up and scrambled along with the rest of the group. After some persuasion, I convinced everyone to leave the ground.

After it was empty, I slowly untied the girl. She had sun burns on the arms and shoulder blades. She winced as I lowered her to the ground. She was on the verge of being unconscious.

"Why d-did you help me?" she asked as I helped her up.

I gave her a small smile,"I don't want anything like this to happen to my best friend either. So let's just say I see her in every nerd."

"Is he a nerd too?"

"Yeah. She is my sweet little nerd."

********************