Nerdy No More

04.

Jenessa's POV:

1 Year Later (September)

"Get up, you don't want to be late for school!" Mom called out from the kitchen, her voice echoing through the hallway.

"I'm up," I replied, though I still felt the weight of sleep pulling at me.

With a heavy sigh, I finally pushed the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed, the chill of the wooden floor jolting me a bit more awake. The first day of senior year can be a whirlwind of emotions and expectations. We had returned from Washington in July, but since Mom's one-year contract had come to an end, we found ourselves back in California, where everything felt both familiar and strange.

Over the past year, I have dedicated myself to building my confidence. I traded my glasses for contacts, styled my hair in a way that made me feel more like myself, and completely revamped my wardrobe to reflect my new outlook. Mom was thrilled to help with my transformation, always offering her input and support, which made the process even more enjoyable.

For my 17th birthday, my parents surprised me with a shiny red Audi, a gift that felt like a symbol of my newfound independence and confidence.

After going through my morning routine and carefully packing my bag with all the essentials, I made my way downstairs. Dad was away on a business trip this week, so it was just Mom and me, and I could sense her excitement for the day ahead.

"You look absolutely gorgeous," Mom said, beaming at me as I entered the kitchen. "Knock them dead today, and if you see Jermaine, just ignore him. Trust me on this one."

"Will do," I chuckled, appreciating her protective instincts even as I rolled my eyes playfully.

I had chosen to wear denim jeans that hugged my figure just right, a stylish crop top that showed off my midriff, and matching boots that completed the look perfectly.

I settled down at the counter for breakfast, enjoying a plate of waffles, a perfectly fried egg, and a glass of cold milk. The familiar taste of my favorite breakfast was comforting, grounding me before the chaos of the day began.

"I'll be working late today, so just a heads-up. There are leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry later," Mom mentioned, her tone a mix of practicality and affection.

"I'll be fine on my own, Mom. You know I can handle it," I assured her, wanting her to feel comfortable with my independence.

"I wanted to be home early to hear all about your first day," she said, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"I promise I'll tell you everything tomorrow morning," I replied, giving her a reassuring smile before I grabbed my things and headed out the door.

Ten minutes later, I found myself in the garage. Dad had sold his Mercedes, so he and Mom now shared the other car whenever he was in town. I unlocked my shiny new Audi and took a moment to appreciate it before driving to school.

As I parked in the lot, I noticed a few students glancing over at my car. I stepped out and turned off the engine, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about being back. It didn’t feel entirely great to return, but at least my old classmates wouldn’t recognize me now, which was a small comfort.

I walked towards the main entrance, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of the school.

"New year and a hot girl has just entered school. Must be my lucky day," I heard a familiar voice say, and I turned to see who it was.

"You better not let Ava hear you," another voice warned.

"Please, we were over ages ago. It was just a phrase," he scoffed, sounding dismissive.

He dated Ava? That wasn’t surprising at all; it was just typical.

I made my way to the administration office to get my locker code and class schedule, feeling a bit anxious about what the year would hold.

"Welcome back, Jenessa! You’ve had quite the glow-up," the woman at the desk said warmly, handing me my documents with a smile.

"Thank you. It’s good to be back," I replied, forcing a smile even though I didn’t entirely mean it.

"Have a great school year. If you have any issues with your schedule, don’t hesitate to come back," she added, her tone encouraging as I nodded and left to find my locker.

As I approached my locker, a guy leaned against the nearby wall and asked, "I haven't seen you around here before. What's your name?"

It was Connor, Levi's best friend, and I hesitated before responding.

"So you’re leaving it as a mystery, nice," he said, a teasing tone in his voice.

I turned to him, crossing my arms. "Really, Connor, was I that unrecognizable?"

"Jenessa?" His eyes widened in surprise, clearly shocked.

"The one and only. But keep this a secret; the last person I want to-"

"I already know. The secret is safe with me, but wow, your puberty genes finally kicked in, huh?" he joked, grinning widely.

"Better late than never," I shrugged, trying to play it cool.

At that moment, Olivia came running over, her excitement palpable. "It's really you!" she exclaimed. "I missed you so much."

She hugged me tightly, and I felt a wave of warmth wash over me.

"I missed you too, Liv," I replied, returning the embrace.

"Wow, you really changed," she said, stepping back to look at me.

"For the better," Connor interrupted, clearly trying to be supportive.

"What's your first class?" Olivia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Olivia was the only true friend I had made when I started high school, and I was glad to see her again. She had been busy with her own life, which was why she hadn’t attended the party.

I glanced at my schedule, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread. "English," I said, trying to sound upbeat.

"I have Algebra. Let's go together," Olivia suggested, eager to walk with me.

"Looks like we’re in the same class," Connor chimed in, following us.

Great, I thought, not sure how I felt about that.

As we entered the classroom, I felt Connor behind me, and I began scanning the room for familiar and new faces. My eyes landed on Avalie Moore, who was chatting with another girl. I vowed silently that I would never let her bully me again.

"Hey, Con," Avalie waved when she spotted Connor, her caramel brown eyes narrowing on me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "Who are you?"

"It's Je-" I elbowed Connor to keep quiet, not ready to reveal my identity just yet.

"The name's Grace," I said, using my middle name to keep things under wraps for the moment.

"I'm guessing you are new here. Watch yourself with Connor; he's a heartbreaker," she warned, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Ouch, Ava. Way to ruin my reputation on the first day," he said playfully, rolling his eyes at her.

"Whatever," Avalie replied dismissively, clearly enjoying the banter.

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. I quickly found a seat near the back, just as the teacher walked in, her presence commanding immediate attention.

"Welcome to senior year, everyone! High school will be over in just a couple of months, and I can't wait for you all to get out of my class," she said, her tone a mix of sarcasm and enthusiasm.

What a way to kick things off, I thought, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"This semester, we'll focus on writing essays and college application letters," she added, her eyes scanning the room. "Most assignments will be graded, so make an effort to complete them. I'm especially talking to you, miss Avalie," she said, pointing at Avalie, who rolled her eyes in response.

Some things never change, I guess.

"Here are sheets of paper; for the next forty minutes, I want you to write about what you liked and disliked about high school. You don’t have to put your name on it if you don’t want to," the teacher instructed, and I settled in, ready to reflect on the journey ahead.

As I sat there, pen in hand, I stared at the blank sheet of paper in front of me, the prompt swirling in my mind like a tempest. What did I like about high school? I could think of a few things: the friends I had made, the way I had grown, and the moments that made me laugh until I cried. But the dislikes? That list felt much longer. The bullying, the pressure to fit in, and the constant fear of judgment hung over me like a dark cloud.

I took a deep breath and started writing. I focused on the positives first, recalling the laughter Olivia and I shared during lunch, the way we would sneak out to the bleachers to escape the chaos, and how we would talk about everything and nothing for hours. I write about the joy of learning, the thrill of discovering new interests, and the excitement of planning for the future.

But as I wrote, the negatives crept in. I couldn’t ignore the memories of feeling invisible, of being the girl who blended into the background, and of the times I had been teased for not fitting the mold. I remember the sting of Avalie’s words, the feeling of being pushed aside, and the moments when I doubted my worth. I scribbled furiously, the ink flowing as I poured my heart onto the page.

“Time’s up!” the teacher called, breaking my concentration. I glanced around the room, noticing that some students were still deep in thought while others were already chatting. I folded my paper, unsure if I wanted to share my thoughts or keep them hidden.

As the teacher collected our papers, I felt a flutter of anxiety. What if she read mine aloud? What if someone recognized my handwriting? I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. It was just a piece of paper, after all—just a way to express myself.

___

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and I quickly shoved my things into my bag, eager to escape the scrutiny of my peers.

Olivia was waiting for me by the door, her face lighting up when she saw me.

“How was it?” she asked, bouncing on her heels with excitement.

“Not too bad,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just the usual first-day jitters.”

“Let’s grab lunch! I want to hear everything,” she said, linking her arm with mine as we made our way down the hallway.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice the glances we received from other students. It felt strange to be the center of attention, even if it was just for my new look. I caught sight of Connor trailing behind us, his presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t entirely alone in this sea of unfamiliar faces.

We reached the cafeteria, and the familiar chaos hit me like a wave. The noise, the laughter, the clatter of trays—it all felt overwhelming. I scanned the room, looking for a place to sit, but my heart sank when I spotted Avalie and her crew at the center table, their laughter ringing out like a siren call.

“Let’s sit over there!” Olivia suggested, pointing to a quieter table in the corner.

“Sounds good,” I agreed, grateful for the escape. We made our way over, and as we settled in, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

“So, what’s the plan for this year?” Olivia asked, digging into her lunch. “Are you going to join any clubs or sports?”

I shrugged, contemplating the question. “I’m not sure yet. I want to focus on my classes and maybe do some volunteering. I think I want to explore a few options before I commit to anything.”

“Good idea! You should definitely check out the art club. They’re doing some cool projects this year,” she encouraged, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“I’ll think about it,” I replied, but my mind was already racing with possibilities. The thought of joining a club excited me, but the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone lingered in the back of my mind.

As we chatted, Connor joined us, plopping down across from me with a grin. “What are you two plotting over here?” he asked, teasingly.

“Just planning our world domination,” Olivia shot back, and we all laughed, the tension easing a bit.

“Count me in,” Connor said, winking at me. “I could use a little adventure this year.”

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, and I quickly looked down at my lunch, trying to hide my smile. Maybe this year won't be so bad after all.

After we finished eating, I glanced at the clock and realized I had to head to my next class. “I’ll catch up with you guys later,” I said, standing up and gathering my things.

“Don’t forget to text me!” Olivia called after me, her voice filled with warmth.

As I walked towards the door, I felt a mix of hope and apprehension. I was determined to make this year different, to embrace the changes I had made and to face whatever challenges lay ahead. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come, ready to reclaim my story.