His Secret Admirer

CHAPTER 2

Elijah POV

This morning as I opened my locker to get my math book, Gina walked towards me. I blew out an exasperated breath. She must be wondering why I didn’t come to her friend’s party last night. To be honest, I didn’t want to give her any false hope. Anyone would think that I am seeing her if we come together. Don’t get me wrong. She is pretty. Captain of the cheerleader team. But her bossy attitude is way too much for me to handle.

I pretended that I didn’t see her and turned around, walking in the other direction.

“Eli—“ she called, with her high pitch voice. I knew she did that on purpose to look cute, but to me, it was irritating as hell.

I fastened my pace to avoid her, but she managed to block my way. Damn it. “Hey, Gina…” I said, forcing a smile at her. “Are you avoiding me?” She said accusingly, folding both arms in front of her chest.

“No, I had a class,” I replied, swinging the book in front of her face. “Ughh...I hate math.” Gina said with a grimace. “Why don’t you skip class, then hang out with me and the girls over there?” She clung her arms to mine. I saw Nicole and Diana over there waving their hand at me. One thing about being the principal’s son. You can’t be a bad student and violate the school’s regulations. So skipping class is a no-go.

I was about to shove her hands away when I suddenly saw Judith Jones passing by. I instantly got tense every time she was around. There’s something about Judith that spark my interest.

She was different. I think she’s the only girl in this school that didn’t try to make a move on me. It was always her and the books. I knew that she was in the same class as me, but we never talked.

You’ll never guess. I had once followed her after the class like a creepy stalker. I am just curious whether she’s seeing someone or not. To my surprise, she went to the library and sat at the corner, reading books by herself. She had no idea that I watched her from afar.

I loved seeing how her expression would change as she read through the book. When she raised the book, I could see a glimpse of the cover. It was a Sherlock Holmes novel. I’ve always thought that girls are more into romance books. But of course, Judith Jones is different.

I didn’t want to leave her alone at the library yet, but I had no choice. I had a basketball practice with the coach that afternoon.   

Okay. So, back to the present time. I tried my best to remove Gina’s hand because I didn’t want Judith to get the wrong idea. I am not having any relationship with Gina.

Thank God Judith was so engrossed in reading the novel in her hands she didn’t notice that Gina was clinging onto me as if her life depended on it.

Oh no. Judith was about to bump into someone in front of her. I wanted to tell her, but it was too late.

Before I knew it, she was already bumping into his chest. “Watch out, you freak!” the boy said.

I knew him. He is Drew from the soccer team. I wanted to punch him so badly and teach him a lesson for being such a d**k to Judith.

She didn’t say anything to him. She just picked up the book from the floor and continued to walk towards the classroom.

Right. I need to go to the class as well. Why can’t this girl pick up the hint?

“Eli, what’s up, man!?” Steve came to the rescue. “What are you doing here? We’re going to be late for the math class.” He said. Gina finally let go of my hand with a frown on her face.

“We’re not done yet, Elijah. See you after class.” Gina said, sounded more like a threat to me.

As I walked into the classroom, I saw Judith already occupying her favorite spot. It was in the middle row, near the window. I know she was good at math. Mr. Kent once let her be his assistant in the class to teach us, which only adds up one more good point to her, and I have to say I do enjoy math that semester. I never thought learning geometry could be that easy and fun. She sometimes cracks a joke when she finds us getting bored by the subject.  

But something is bothering her lately. I could tell. She wasn’t as lively as she used to be. If only I could read her mind, maybe I could help. But then again, she might not want to be friends with me. Girls only wanted to date me. I hated how they always treated me like an object. I was like a trophy for them to win.

Earlier today, when the class was finally over, Steve came to me, and we both walked out, heading towards the chemistry class. But I had another plan in mind. I wanted to talk to her, and now the class was empty. This seems like a good opportunity for me.

So I told Steve to go to the class first without me because I needed to use the toilet. I found my way back towards the math class and stopped by the door because I heard Mr. Kent’s voice.

He was talking to Judith and saying something about her performance in class. Seems like I am not the only one to notice that. She lowered her face and said sorry, but she didn’t tell him the reason either. Maybe it was a family problem? I hid behind the wall so that Mr. Kent wouldn’t see me as he walked out of the classroom.

Not long after, I saw Judith come out and run towards the other building. Okay, mission abort. I’ll find another way to talk to her. I just realized that we were almost late for the next class. I followed her from behind, but not too close for her to notice me.

I waited for her to come in first while I was catching my breath. I was startled as I saw Steve talking to her. I knew he wasn’t exactly a fan of Judith Jones either. So whatever they were talking about, it can’t be good.

I quickly interrupted them, asking what was going on, but Steve said it was nothing.

I know it was bullshit. Judith’s face was as white as a paper right now. What could they possibly talk about?

I couldn’t focus for the rest of the class. Steve was a dork.

I decided to sit on the front row in order to get closer to her because she always chose to sit with that nerd girl wearing glasses in chemistry class. I think her name was Kelly.

I kept my eyes on her most of the time. That’s why I was startled when she turned to look in my direction, and our eyes accidentally met with each other, but Judith quickly looked away. I sighed deeply. It would be a hard task to convince her to open up to me.

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

“Are you mad at me or something?” Steve asked, catching up with me after the class. I turned my head at him, giving him a rather flat expression. “No, why did you say that?” I replied casually.

“You refused to sit with me in the class.” He pointed out. I rolled back my eyes at him. “You know that I sucked at chemistry. I need to pay more attention if I want to get good grades.” I reasoned with him.

I put my lunch tray on the table, and Steve soon joined me. While I was taking a bite of the chicken sandwich, my eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of Judith outside of the cafeteria.

She was sitting under the tree, silently eating her lunch by herself, when most of the students would gather inside the cafeteria with their friends.  

I was still admiring the view of Judith eating her lunch when suddenly Gina sat beside me. “Eli, stop avoiding me!” she said, cupping my face. I pushed down her hands. “No, I am not. And can you please stop touching me?” I said venomously at her.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Give me one good reason why.” She challenged back.

“Because he’s taken,” Steve answered for me. I shot him a confused look. Gina just laughs at his words.

“Seriously, Steve? If Elijah was taken, then who is the lucky girl?” Gina asked him back. Steve smirked at her. “You see that girl over there? That’s the one.” My eyes nearly popped out from its socket as he pointed towards Judith. What the hell is he doing? I swear I will kill him after this.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, right? Judith Jones? She’s a loser.” Gina spat in jealousy. I felt my blood boils after hearing that. Steve raised a finger in front of her face.

“You can ask him yourself if you don’t believe me,” Steve said, then turned to look at me. He knew I would say yes because I would do anything to get rid of her. Gina waited for my answer. “He’s right,” I told her. She angrily got up from the chair and stomped her feet. I quickly grabbed her hand, stopping her.

“Don’t even think of hurting her. If you mess with her. It means you’re also messing with me.” I warned Gina because I knew that she had a habit of bullying other students at school. After Gina left, Steve clapped his hands loudly.

“Whoa, what was that last part about? For a second, I almost believe that you cared for Jones.” Steve teased me. “Shut up! You’re the one who created this mess.” I told him.

“Hey… Don’t tell me that you’re actually liked her?” Steve said, smirking at me.

I can’t let him know that I cared about Judith. So I chose to lie. “Are you crazy? Of course not!” I said.

He inched closer and took my fries. “She’s the only girl at school who didn’t notice you.” He shrugged his shoulders. I felt like I was being stabbed by a knife in my chest. “So what?” I said, pretending that I didn’t care.

“I could bet that you can’t make her like you.” Steve’s eyes were at Judith. She had finished her lunch and headed towards the other building.

“That’s bullshit. You know I could make any girls in this school fall for me.” I replied confidently.

Steve smirked at me. “Prove it then! If by the end of this month she said yes to be your girlfriend, then I would buy you lunch every day until we graduate.”  

I balled my fist under the table. “Fine, challenge accepted.” I said.