Weirdy Love

By Albert Nelson

*The athlete who falls in love with the nerd.
*Lifelong neighbors who end up being friends and then a couple, super love and all that.
*Rich kids with too much free time who use the nerd for entertainment
Nah, none of those fit...or maybe all of them do...
I would like to tell you about my perfect life, in my perfect house with my perfect family... But I would be lying. The only thing I can tell you is that they have humiliated and deceived me, that they have laughed at me and trampled on my feelings. I have cried so much that I no longer have tears left... The only thing that remains for me is that I am sure of something, sure and proud, I am the WEIRD.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Albert Nelson
• Release date: Mar 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215929063

Book preview

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Table of Contents

When I thought you did see me

When we first touched

When the dream turned into a nightmare

When we met again

When we recognized each other

When we play friends

When I confessed my darkest secrets to you

When we found out that we loved each other

when everything became real

When we realized that together we are better

When I jumped into the void without a parachute

When we thought everything was going well

When we play to be happy

When the past found us

When my world fell apart.

When I decided to remove you from my life

When I went to lick my wounds

When I discovered that without you I could also live

When I thought I was losing my mind

When we made it official

When we try to adjust to our new life

When a misfortune brought us back together

When I let you back into my life

When I started to think we'd have another chance

When we start to forgive

When we start to forgive

When we stop wasting time

When we say goodbye

When we get to the end

Epilogue

Weirdy Love

Author: Albert Nelson

© Copyright 2023–All Rights Reserved

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Note: Please do not read if you are under the age of 18

All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

When I thought you did see me

I walk with my head down, hugging my books to my chest and trying not to trip over my own feet. That is very typical of me. I am what can be defined as a person prone to accidents, to many accidents. Although in my favor I must say that it is not easy to maintain verticality when you are loaded like a mule, as I am almost always. I like books, almost all of them, and I have a hard time deciding which ones to take with me and which ones not, so I always end up carrying more weight than I can.

My tendency to random accidents is also caused by my lack of vision. I am not blind, but I do have more diopters in each eye than should be allowed by law to be able to walk down the street alone. Fortunately or unfortunately, I never go outside without my huge thick glasses that hide half my face. The other half is covered by my thick and voluminous black hair, which I have already considered impossible to comb.

Get out of the way, Rare![1] ! —one of the football players crashes into me, and I'm about to fall down the stairs.

That's me, Weird, although my real name is Elizabeth, but they don't know that. Here at the prestigious St. Patrick's High School, I'm just the awkward, gangly girl who'd rather hang out in the submerged library among mountains of books, than sneak off to the boiler room to smoke or hook up with some guy.

It doesn't bother me when they make fun of me, even when they do it blatantly. I have always been very clear that I am not like them. Most of the students in my high school are rich kids who have not lifted a finger in their lives, they only dedicate themselves to living off their families' money and studying just enough to get into a great university, since they spend their high school years in St. Patrick's almost guarantees you a direct bye to any of the Ivy League universities. Only a small minority of kids study with scholarships and they really work hard, and then there's me... I'm not a rich girl and I'm not a scholarship recipient either. My father is the one who has always taken care of the costs of my education and that I lack nothing. I barely know him, since he left my mother and me when I was just nine years old.

The Weird, that nickname has stuck with me for most of my seventeen years of life, and it doesn't bother me, at least not as much as being invisible. That's the worst thing for me, being surrounded by people and feeling so damn alone.

Liz! I hear Derek's scream before I even see him. He instantly approaches me with his usual smile, drawing the attention of the other students. I was calling you. Didn't you listen to me?

Lower your voice, I whisper, hiding behind my hair and looking down at the ground.

Lizzie, look up, nobody's looking at us, and if they were, what? I'm just saying hello.

I don't like to attract attention, you know. All I get from him is a snort.

Derek is my best friend since we started high school. Actually, he's my only friend. He is part of that minority of students who are not capricious jerks, obviously he has a scholarship, and fifty percent gay, things that do not make him too popular in this place of posh and classy posh. It took me a long time to trust him, as my shy and withdrawn personality usually makes me run away or shy away from anyone who tries to start a conversation with me, but Derek is different, he made it his mission to be my friend and didn't give up until I told him. achievement.

-Can you help me with this? I ask, pointing to the stack of books in my arms.

Girl, I don't know how you manage to always be loaded, he grumbles, releasing part of my weight. Do you read these books, or do you just transport them around for fun?

—Did you know that in ancient Egypt libraries were called the treasures of the soul because in them ignorance, the most dangerous of diseases, could be cured?

Derek smiles, shaking his head, bouncing his brown curls against each other.

I have no idea where you get those things, but they're really cool, he mutters.

I blush and look down again.

I've read about it in some book, I whisper, shrugging.

-You go to the library?

—Yes, I have to return these books and pick up others.

I'll come with you or you can come home with half a ton of dusty books and your mother will throw you out.

Erika doesn't care how many books I bring home, as long as I behave the way I'm supposed to behave.

Like a cloistered nun? He points amused.

I adjust my glasses by sliding them over the bridge of my nose with my index finger and smile slightly, shaking my head before continuing up the stairs of the main building listening to my friend snort behind me. Before I can open the heavy library door, juggling it so I don't drop it, it swings open and Bastian Clayton stares at me.

For a few seconds, I keep his gaze, his penetrating green eyes fix on mine and I see how a shy smile tugs at his lips. Bastian is my boyfriend since we met when we were barely twelve years old, the only problem is that he doesn't know it. I suck in a breath and quickly look down at the ground. I don't need to look at him to know that he's gorgeous as always, with his tousled blond hair, the blue jacket of the high school soccer team he captains, and skinny jeans that give him a heart-stopping ass.

But look who we have here... I hear Travis's voice and I don't even make the move to look at him. It already seemed strange to me that Bastian's best friend, bar, lapdog wasn't around. Weird, are you going back to your burrow? he asks in a mocking tone. When you and your bitch of a mother are thrown out on the street, you can come and take refuge here in the library. At least you won't have to live under a bridge.

I hear the laughter of some other boys, but I don't look up. Everyone in this institute thinks I'm on a scholarship. How else could a girl with my looks study in a place as expensive and prestigious as this one? It is clear that my second-hand clothes and that I use public transport to get to class, instead of having a sports car parked in the parking lot, has made them think that, and I have not wanted to deny it. Better that they think that I am starving, before knowing the truth, that my mother and I live on the pension that my father gives us like some shit kept.

If you're done taunting, we'd like to come in, Derek says from behind me. I can hear the pissed off tone in his voice, so I look at him and see that he's frowning.

The crazy friend comes to the defense of the weirdo, Travis continues to taunt.

Step back, man, let them pass, Bastian orders, getting my attention. I dare to look at him and again our eyes meet and I can see how the edges of his lips rise. Come on in, Liz," he whispers, gesturing with his hand.

My eyes widen when I hear him. Does Bastian Clayton know my name? How is it possible?

Th...thank you, I mumble, letting my hair fall back over my face to hide the flush on my cheeks.

We walk into the library, and when Derek and I are alone, he looks at me in surprise.

What the hell just happened there?! he exclaims. Prick Clayton was nice to you and gave you little looks.

I was just being nice, I whisper, setting the stack of books on a table.

Since when is he nice to you?

I don't know, I reply with a shrug.

"Lizzie, I know you've had a crush on that jerk for as long as you can remember, but I don't want you to get your hopes up. Guys like Bastian Clayton or Travis Shaw are very little to you. Handsome to rage, yes, but also cruel and without any kind of moral principle - I nod biting my lower lip nervously.

I totally agree with what my friend says, but I can't help but my heart skip a beat every time I see him. Actually, Bastian has never been mean to me, his friend has, but he has always treated me kindly, maybe that's why I'm so into it.

The door opens again and Blair Shaw steps into the library, her heels clicking on the polished surface of the floor. He walks right up to us and Derek looks at me with wide eyes.

-What's going on here? I whisper hallucinated.

I was going to ask the same thing, says my friend in the same tone that I used. First the asshole brother and now the posh sister. This place is turning into a hotspot for assholes.

I press my lips together to keep from guffawing at Derek's comment, then watch as Blair stands in front of me, tossing back her lustrous black hair theatrically.

Weird, I was looking for you, he tells me. I swallow hard and slowly raise my gaze to his face. You're good at literature and I need to pass that subject.

I... No... Uh... I hesitate, looking everywhere but at her.

I'll pay you well. I need at least a scratch pass or I'll fail the course and I won't be able to graduate, and if I don't graduate, bye-bye college. Tell me what to do and I'll do it.

Study, I blurt out without thinking, blushing instantly.

It turns out that you're even going to have a sense of humor, he says, shaking his head. How much do you want?

I can't help you, I reply with a small voice.

-Yes you can. I am not asking you to give me the answers to the test, just to help me understand it. Something like private lessons, and very well paid, by the way.

-Tutorials? I ask biting my lower lip again.

Derek, who had stayed out of our conversation thus far, clicks his tongue, drawing Blair's gaze.

Any problems, Jones? he asks, raising one of his perfectly plucked eyebrows.

Lizzie, I hope you're not thinking of helping this harpy, my friend tells me, ignoring the brunette's stunned face.

What did you just call me? she asks in an unfriendly tone.

Harpy, or do you prefer me to call you Twisted Barbie? That nickname also hits you.

Barbies are blondes, clown, Blair hisses, taking a menacing step toward him. I'd like to see you repeat that again.

—What are you going to do, call your little brother to defend you, or your boyfriend?

I don't need anyone to defend me from you, you piece of...

Okay, I'll do it, I say mostly to stop them from arguing. If they continue down that path, Derek is going to end up in a very bad light.

Blair Shaw, she's Travis's twin sister and Bastian's girlfriend, and I don't think anyone wants to have those two as enemies.

—Perfect, this afternoon, around six, is that good for you? I nod slightly. Right here? I nod again and Blair smiles, looking at her nails as if she already expected that to be my answer.

She waves goodbye to me and Derek with a wiggle of her fingers and walks back out of the room with the gait fit for a queen.

Are you sure about this? Derek asks me when we're alone.

—Yes, besides, you're the one who always says that I have to interact with more people.

I mean normal people, not the queen of darkness!

-Do not exaggerate. Maybe it's not so bad," I whisper, biting my nails unconsciously. I always do it when I get nervous.

Derek shakes his head and then I realize what I just did. I've been trying for years to stay away from chupiguays, as Derek calls them, and now I'm about to walk into the lion's den shortly after losing sight of them forever. Four months, I just had to last four more months without getting into trouble and this hell would end along with my high school years.

∞∞∞

I go into the house trying to make as little noise as possible. I don't feel like listening to my mother's paranoia. But despite my efforts, it doesn't take me long to hear his footsteps on the wooden floor.

Are you home yet, honey? she asks me, piercing me with her big eyes of an intense blue color, very similar to mine. Although obviously, theirs stand out more, since they are not sheltered behind a graduated glass thicker than the bottom of a bottle.

Yes, Mom, I reply in a muffled tone as I shed my jacket. I gather my thick hair into a hair tie and tie it in a bun on top of my head.

How was school today? I shrug in response and she frowns. Did something happen? Tell me it's not about any boy, please." His tone of voice, between a scolding and an exclamation, makes me roll my eyes.

There's no boy, Mom, I comment in a jaded tone.

—Better that way. We've already talked about this, honey. No boyfriends until you finish your degree. First is your future and then...

Everything else, I murmur, finishing the sentence.

"Don't tease, Elizabeth. You know that I only see to your well-being. The last thing I want is for you to end up like me, living off a man's crumbs for being foolish enough to give up everything for him.

I know, mom, I say, looking down. She snorts, tossing her brown hair back and I see how her expression changes in a matter of seconds.

Erika Adams is not a bad mother. Her biggest flaw is being too overprotective, but I know she only wants what's best for me. She's afraid that the same thing that happened to her will happen to me, that I'll fall in love with some rich kid who promises me the moon and the stars, I'll get pregnant and end up putting all my plans for the future aside to find out that that rich guy is already dead. is engaged. That was what she had to live with my father.

I didn't know, at least not at first. My father spent little time at home with us, but Mom told me it was because of his work, and I never suspected otherwise. It wasn't until the day I heard my mother tell her that she wasn't going to put up with being the other one anymore, and that she gave us the crumbs of what her real family had left over, that I understood what was really happening. I was only a girl, but I knew it, when Adrian kissed my forehead and told me that he loved me before leaving, I realized that he was never going to come back, and that's how it was. Since then, we've only received a fairly substantial monthly check, and a present for my birthday that I've been turning down for years now.

Shall we watch a movie and then order pizza for dinner? Mom asks, recovering her good humor.

—No, actually... Eh... I've been meeting for a while... —his brow furrows again, so I rush to give him an explanation— With a girl.

—Daughter, don't... I understand if you prefer... Eh...

-That?! Mom, I'm not gay! I like men." My outburst surprises my mother, who widens her eyes and raises her palms defensively.

-Alright. I'm sorry. So do you have a new friend?

-Not quite. It's just a girl from high school that I'm going to teach literature.

-Classes? Wait... You don't have to teach anyone.

—I don't have, but I want to, I feel like it. It will only be a couple of hours from time to time. I'll give you a hand with the exam and that's it.

—It's fine, as long as those classes don't negatively influence your studies. I don't want your grades to end up hurting to help another girl.

Don't worry about it, Mom, I reply, smiling.

∞∞∞

At five to six in the afternoon I go into the library and go directly to one of the booths at the back of the room, there we can study in peace without anyone bothering us. I spread all the necessary material on the table, which is nothing more than a dictionary, a couple of textbooks and a few pens, and I prepare to wait. Almost twenty minutes pass before I hear Blair's heels getting closer, I straighten up trying to appear calm that I don't feel at all and I take a deep breath, fixing my eyes on the entrance to the booth.

Don't look down. She's just a girl, I whisper to myself like a mantra, but my bravery falls apart as Blair doesn't arrive alone, Bastian is behind her, and before I know it, my eyes are locked directly on his.

Again that flip in the heart, as if it skipped a couple of beats and returned to function normally.

Weird, I hope you don't mind giving classes for two instead of just me. My boy also needs to pass —he says, hugging the boy who occupies most of my thoughts by the waist— Weird? He calls me when he sees that I'm still staring at Bastian.

Er... Yeah, sure, I mumbled, lowering my eyes. Exactly what do you need help with?

Animal Farm, Bastian replies, calling my attention.

-That?

—Professor Spencer is going to prepare an exam on that book, it's something like an essay.

In that case, all you have to do is read the book. I took that exam two courses ago —I reply, picking up the material and putting it in my backpack.

You're a brainiac, Blair comments, crossing her arms. We both tried to read the book and didn't understand shit, so we need help.

I drop my backpack on the table and sigh, shaking my head. I can't do this, it's bad enough for my mental stability to spend time with Bastian Clayton, but if I also have to be with my psycho half-sister, this can turn into hell.

Yes, you have not read wrong. My dear daddy, Adrian Shaw, had the brilliant idea of enrolling his bastard daughter in the same high school as his two perfect twin sons, although they obviously don't know that, nobody knows.

Take out the books, I order, sitting down on one of the chairs, this is going to take us longer than I expected.

When we first touched

—They are only animals, how can they think like that? Blair complains, throwing the book on the table.

I huff, rubbing my forehead with my fingertips, and shake my head. It's been more than a month since I started with all this madness of the classes and we haven't made any progress. I don't know if my little sister is trying to get on my nerves or she is just a complete idiot, I prefer the second option.

It's not about the animals. Okay, I'll give you a summary since you haven't understood it while reading, and you tell me your impressions —Blair and Bastian nod and I take a deep breath to cheer myself up. I have to admit that I'm more used to their presence now, but it's still hard for me to speak out loud without blushing, especially every time I look at Bastian, so I try to avoid any eye contact with him. The book tells the story of the Manor farm whose owner, Mr. Jones, is fond of drink and neglects animals. They gather to listen to the speech of what they consider to be the wisest animal on the farm, the Old Major pig. He tells them about his dream of freedom where all animals will be equal and have the same rights and tells them that, to achieve that dream, they must get rid of the oppressive yoke of humans. Does that sound like something to you? Keep in mind that this work by George Orwell is a satirical fable.

What is a satirical fable? Blair asks.

—Satire is a literary genre. It is used by the author to express indignation or displeasure towards someone or something, often in the form of irony, sarcasm, or parody. Which means, that what you read as animals, in reality they are not. Keeping that in mind when reading the book, you can look for the meaning of all the scenes that the play represents. A farm where animals seize power and form their own government, which ends up becoming a brutal tyranny.

Politics, Bastian whispers, getting my attention. Talk about politics, right?

-Yeah! I exclaim excited that someone finally got it, though Blair looks even more confused than before, so I turn to her to explain so she can understand.

—This book is considered a veiled critique of the Russian revolution and the corruption of Soviet socialism in Stalin's time. The main theme of the work is the abuse of power and how it corrupts those who possess it, leading to greed, discrimination and betrayal. Thus, the pigs in Animal Farm use their power to manipulate and deceive the other animals and strengthen their dominance over them.

But everything was fine at first when they kicked the humans out, Blair mutters.

—Yes, but power corrupts. The pigs immediately start taking the best of the crops and eat all the apples and milk, saying they need them to think," Bastian continues.

I think I'm going to have to read that damn book again, Blair complains with a grimace. You could have said this about politics from the beginning, Weird.

It was supposed to be something we had to figure out for ourselves, right? Bastian asks me, smiling slightly.

I let my hair fall over my face to hide the flush on my cheeks and nod, biting my bottom lip.

—Exactly, now you can read the book with a different focus. If you manage to understand the story, it will be easy to pass.

Okay, see you tomorrow then, Blair comments, getting up as she looks at her watch. I'm meeting Sara to go shopping. I need a dress for the party.

—There are still two days left until Saturday and the exam is on Monday. I thought we would take the opportunity to study these two days —rebuts Bastian.

I have some free time in the afternoon, I inform them.

I've already arranged, see you tomorrow after school. She kisses Bastian on the lips and leaves in a hurry without even looking at me.

When the two of us are left alone, I start to put the books in my backpack to get out of here as soon as possible. Being alone with Bastian makes me so nervous and the last thing I want is for him to notice.

Can we meet this afternoon? -ask-. I have to pass this course to get into Brown.

Are you going to Rhode Island? I ask without thinking.

"Yeah, I feel like getting out of Boston. You know, that thing about leaving the nest and being able to live my own life. What university are you going to?

-I? Uh... me?

Yes, you, he answers, smiling. There is no one else here.

I look around me swallowing hard. I can't believe he's talking to me like this, taking an interest in...me.

I have a full scholarship to Yale, I reply, closing my backpack without looking at him.

-Connecticut? We will be less than two hours away by car.

About the same distance from Blair. She stays here in Boston, right?

"At Cambridge, she's been accepted to Harvard, and so has Travis.

Great, so you can see each other often. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and start to leave, but Bastian crosses my path.

-You have not answered me. Can we stay this afternoon?

Your girlfriend has plans, I reply, making another attempt to get through the door, but once again he cuts me off.

"I'm not talking about Blair. You and me, we can see each other for a couple of hours.

—I... Uh... I don't know if... I don't think it's a good idea.

-Because? I need to approve, Liz." When I hear the way he pronounces my name, I raise my head and my eyes immediately fall in love with the emerald shine of his.

I should go home to eat and come back right away. That would take almost two hours, so we would have little time to study before I had to go back again. My mother doesn't like me coming home after dark.

Okay, so how about I buy you lunch? That way you would save the round trip. We eat something in a nearby cafeteria and then we come back here and make good use of the time.

Are you inviting me to...? Do you want to eat with me? I ask surprised.

That's what I just said, she replies, blowing a lock of her blonde hair that falls over her right eye. Come, give me that." He takes my backpack from me and hangs it over his shoulder, making a face. Do you have stones in here?

No, it's just books, I whisper.

Are you always so loaded? I shrug in response and he smiles again. No wonder you're always hunched over. You'll end up with a hump." My terrified face makes him laugh. Just kidding, Liz. Come on, I'm starving. There's a diner nearby where they serve the best burgers in the state.

Before I can refuse, his hand grabs mine and pulls me towards the exit, leaving me speechless. How am I going to speak, if I am barely able to breathe and walk at the same time feeling the heat that radiates from the palm of his hand. He's touching me, he's not just calling my name and smiling at me, now he's touching me too. If this is a dream, I'm going to kick the ass of anyone who dares wake me up.

We walked a couple of blocks holding hands. I am unable to look up from the ground, and that causes me to trip over my own feet several times. Luckily Bastian has quick reflexes and manages to straighten me up before I leave my teeth against the sidewalk. Obviously, with each stumble my face turns redder and my courage to look up fades by the minute. This output doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore. What's more, I'm looking forward to getting out and hiding somewhere by myself, and of course as far away from Bastian as possible.

We reach a small cafeteria, and Bastian finally lets go of my hand so he can open the door. Neither of us has said anything the entire ride, and I haven't even looked at him, but when I feel his hand on the small of my back, nudging me into the room, my head snaps up like a spring. and I fixed my eyes on his without being able to avoid it.

Thank you, I murmur, quickly entering the cafeteria to get away from his contact. It makes me too nervous. Also, having a crush on my sister's boyfriend, even though no one knows we're related, makes me feel...bad.

Are you okay Liz? he asks after taking a seat across from me at one of the square tables in the cafeteria. Why don't you look ahead? You almost fell a couple of times for going with your eyes glued to the ground.

I... I just... I don't like that... I let my hair cover my face so I don't have to face his question.

What is it you don't like? His fingers touch my chin and he gently lifts my face. I sigh, opening my eyes and facing myself with a sincere smile that causes each of my neurons to short-circuit.

People, I blurt out without thinking.

I see how he stifles a laugh and shakes his head.

Do you prefer animals? Now I understand why you like Orwell's book so much.

-That?! No, I don't... -at that moment my phone starts ringing giving me the exit I was looking for.

Liz, where are you? Derek asks as soon as I pick up.

—Near the institute. Why you ask?

"Well, because lately I hardly see you. Are you still giving classes to the queen of darkness and the oxygen blond?

I cover the receiver with my hand and move away slightly, looking at Bastian out of the corner of my eye. I hope you didn't hear my friend's comment or I'll die of embarrassment.

-Yes that's how it is. Right now I'm a bit busy. I'll call you later?

—Lizzie, don't give me that senoritinga voice that we know each other. You are with them?

Uh-huh, I reply, taking off my glasses and leaving them on the table so I can rub my eyes at ease. For a moment I forget where I am and with whom. The same thing happens to me every time I talk to Derek. I love him, but sometimes he drives me crazy. Derek, I have to leave you. We'll talk another time.

"Don't you dare hang up on me, Elizabeth Adams. You are not going to ignore me for being with the king and queen of hell.

I smile without realizing it and shake my head.

Derek, your flair for drama will get you a long way in this life, I say, still smiling. I love you, but I have to hang up. Bye bye.

Lizzie, don't slip... I end the call and turn to Bastian who is looking at me with wide eyes and a slack mouth.

-Eh what? Why are you looking at me? I ask in a whisper.

It seems that your animosity towards people is quite selective, he answers, still looking me in the eye. You have blue eyes? I hadn't noticed with the glasses."