Chapter 3 He is a jerk

Chapter Three.

He is a jerk

Mr.Leo Kapoor smiled deeply pleased seeing his wife.

"Welcome darling!"

"Thank you". She replied.

"How was it?".

"I was given the job". He said enthusiastically.

"Finally, you have decided to work and relieve me of the burden of your daughter".

"She is also your daughter Anaya".

"No, she hates when I correct and thinks you are the only one that has her best interest at heart".

"You need to stop saying that".

"I understand she is a teenager, but that doesn't give her the right to act like a kid"

"You are doing your best and I know she would recognise the fact that you have always wanted the best".

"You need to rest after a long day".He exclaimed.

Lydia walked quietly away and pretended like she didn't eavesdrop on her parents' conversation.

She went upstairs and checked her wardrobe to pick an outfit for tomorrow's big day. She needed to make a very good impression.

After that she laid in bed and cried herself to sleep.

The next day at school. Lydia wore her school's blue-and-white jersey with denim shorts, while Eleanor tied her hair in a messy bun and wrapped a scarf in the team's colors around her neck.

"I can't wait to see him". She replied.

Eleanor followed her as they entered the school field. Michael was already set for the sport.

The whistle blew, and the players charged forward.

Lydia's eyes followed Michael, the school's star player, as he dodged a tackle and sprinted toward the try line.

The crowd on the pitch erupted when he slammed the ball down.

Her face beamed with deep admiration and attraction.

"He is so hot". She said, holding Eleanor.

"We are destined to be together, I am sure he will ask me out next or should I".

Eleanor's eyes widened in shock. "No, rule number three; never ask a guy out".

"Maybe I should try".

"You don't want him to see you as clingy".

"Fine, I will wait a little".

The match had lasted a full sixty minutes, but Lydia barely noticed how time passed.

She left Eleanor behind, her steps slow but certain as she made her way toward him.She glanced back at Eleanor, who gave her an encouraging nod.

"Michael!!". She called, trying to catch his attention.

A few other rugby players heard her calling after their captain and laughed at her. She ignored as she skipped down the bleachers, two at a time.

But she didn't miss the flashes of them taking pictures of their phones of the scene she was creating.

Michael was the last player to leave the field, and his head turned in her direction when he heard her shouting.

His hair was covered in sweat when he heard her as it clung to his forehead. He stared at her, his ocean blue eyes unreadable.

But he blinked slowly as if he had just remembered she was there all along.

She wasn't sure what she'd say, but she knew she couldn't leave without talking to him.

"Thank you for letting me come". She blurted.

"You played so exquisitely well, I was intrigued I must say". She felt heat creep onto her cheeks, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed.

"Thank you". He said with a small smile.

It was a dangerous smile, one that could make you want to desperately impress him.

She opened her mouth to say more but another flash of camera from the corner of her eyes had her stopping.

She clamped her mouth shut and turned away, feeling too nervous to utter another word.

She collected her things and walked in the direction of the cafeteria.

It was finally lunch time and she was starving. Besides, food could always cheer up a bad mood.

"Look who it is". A familiar voice sneered.

It was Eleanor.

She plastered the brightest smile I have ever seen on her face. "Did you confess your love to Michael?". She asked, holding a tray with fluffy brown rice, and a carton of milk.

She sighed deeply. "No, I didn't Eleanor". Lydia replied as she set her lunch on the table. A grilled chicken breast, and a small cup of fresh fruit.

"I will let him know during the science project". Lydia exclaimed.

"You need to give him a little hint, and let him work with it".

"No, Michael would never ask me out like that. I am not as pretty as the girls he usually hangs around with".

"Stop it, you are pretty Lydia and I want you to never second guess yourself", Eleanor voiced out.

Lydia and Eleanor slid their tray into the return slot and grabbed their backpack.

The cafeteria buzzed with chatter as students drifted toward the hallways.

Lydia leaned against the locker, she pulled out her phone, scrolling through messages.The group chat was buzzing.

The screen in front of her face reveals a photo of her at the rugby field, desperately calling out to Michael.

Her heart sank as she realised how bad this looked on her part.

It became evident to her that one of the rugby players was behind this cruel act.

They had captured that vulnerable moment and shared it throughout the school via various group chats, ensuring everyone in school would be able to see it. Her heart skipped a bit.

Sherman Oaks high school was a hub of gossip and rumors where whispers spread quickly.

Every week there seemed to be a different story that students focused on.

As she read one of the text messages displayed on the phone, a wave of humiliation washed over her.

Each word burned in her and felt like a knife piercing deeper into her already wounded spirit.

Jude: "Girl, you seriously need to stop following him around"

Maya: "Yeah, Lydia, you're literally turning into his number one stalker."

Jude:"She isn't worthy of being in the same league as him"

Lydia rolled her eyes, typing quickly. "I'm not stalking him, okay?."

"Stop replying to them, they are a waste of your precious time". Eleanor came from behind with her soothing words.

"Just because he is so cool doesn't make me a trash, he asked me to come see him play, I wasn't expecting that he wanted to have me as a laughing stock". She said, holding back tears.

"Michael is a jerk, always so full of himself".She said her arms wrapped around Lydia.

They both stood still for a while barely noticing the bell ringing, signaling it was time to head to their next class.

"Let's go, or Mr. Liam will be mad if we're late."