The Nerd Had Fallen

CHAPTER 1

Portia woke up because of the loud sound coming from her alarm clock that was inside her room placed on top of her bedside table. She quickly got up from lying down while wiping her palms on her face. She picked up the alarm clock and turned it off to stop the noise.

She searched for her slippers before going straight to her bathroom to take a bath.

Finally, today is the first day of school again for this new academic year, the long and boring summer vacation was over. During summer vacation, she did nothing but lock herself in her room and read her favorite books every time her parents were at work, she only came out of her room when her parents were in their house.

Unlike other families who went to beach resorts or even went out of the country just to take a vacation, Portia's family did not spend their vacation abroad or in another place. She favors not going to various places to roam, she also prefers to read and read for the whole vacation than to roam in places that she does not enjoy. For her, learning something new from books is more exciting than spending money just to see different beautiful views. She has a different perception compared to others.

Her parents were busy with their small business. Her parents are working hard to earn and save money to ready themselves because next year she will go to college and her nursing tuition will surely cost an arm and a leg. Her parents are desperate in making her reach her dream profession and that is to become a doctor.

Mr. and Mrs. Medale thought that with the intelligence of their daughter, Portia, she deserved to go to an expensive and beautiful school to hone her skills well that will prepare her to become a good doctor someday.

That is why, even though their only child is still far from college, their efforts to save are already in full swing.

"Good morning, momma and dada!" Portia kissed her parent's cheeks when she found them in the kitchen.

"Good morning, darling." Her father greeted her back. "Are you excited for another academic year?"

Portia smiled widely at her father, "Yes, dada. I'm very excited about new lessons. Next year, I'll be in nursing and that's more exciting."

"That's great, darling. Don't forget that I and your momma are doing our very best to support you not just financially but also morally." Her father reminded her again.

"Ahh." She said dramatically while touching her chest as if she was touched by what her father said, her parents both laughed at her reaction, "I'll graduate as the batch valedictorian, fighting!"

Her father proudly laughed at her. They had an amazing breakfast, her momma prepared fried egg and hotdog. After breakfast, her father drove her to school which she got used to.

While riding their car on their way to Reinbert Academy, her mind began to fly and roam.

Learning is not just the only thing that excites her for school days, she will see her crush every day again and that motivates her to wake up early. That man who walks with his full confidence and in Portia's vision, that man seemed to be followed by the wind every time he walks, she has been crushing her since the first day she saw him, that King Luther Daniel is like an angel sent from God above for her to love.

She shook her head at the nonsense thought stopping herself to chuckle.

Portia just uses that man as an inspiration because it is impossible for the handsome King Luther Daniel to notice her. That man's type of woman is tall, has long thighs, has a nice body curve and is very good at dressing, and she is not that, she doesn't even have any idea about fashion and she doesn't think that she will feel comfortable wearing those clothes on-trend.

Portia has already accepted the fact that the man she wants will never like her back, so instead of wasting her time to change herself just to be noticed by her ultimate crush, she just secretly admires him and supports him at everything he does.

Just like every inter-high school sports competition, or every time he performs at school with his band, she is one of the audiences watching and screaming to cheer the man he admires and she's already contented with that, she does not expect for more. Well, sometimes she prays to god before sleeping hoping that one day he would say hi or hello to her.

They finally reached Reinbert Academy after few minutes, Portia immediately said goodbye to her parents after kissing them both.

Her skirt is almost reaching the ground with its length and her blouse was twice her size, which is not the typical style of the Reinbert Academy's school uniform. The Reinbert Academy's uniform has an above-the-knee style of the skirt and a blouse that would exactly fit on one's body but she is not comfortable wearing such so she decided to wear it, the school cannot do anything about it, that's what she wants anyway.

As soon as she entered the gate she saw the students laughing at her appearance, some call her name for fun and laughed every time she looks around, she already got used to this kind of treatment after few years of studying at this school.

She was in grade 10 when she transferred here to Reinbert Academy and that was also the first time she saw her ultimate and first crush, and during the two years of studying at the aforementioned school, no one dared to approach her to make friends.

There are few of her classmates who make friends with her but she also knows that their intention is not real friendship, they tame her so they could copy her answers in the coming exams, and she is not blind to never get that.

She would rather be alone than be used by her classmates to get high grades.

Even though the students were cruel to her and she was always the victim of unfortunate pranks, she was still lucky with her teachers. Many teachers admire her intelligence and hard work in learning.

"Good morning, Mrs. Martinez." She greeted the teacher she met on the way to her room, Mrs. Martinez, her former biology teacher.

"Good morning, Portia. How was your vacation?" Mrs. Martinez asked with a smile on her lips, it was obvious that she is happy to see Portia today.

"My vacation was fine, ma'am." She politely answered the teacher.

"That's good to hear, Portia. I need to go now, see you when I see you."

Portia waved her former biology teacher goodbye and continued walking her way to the assigned room for her class but before she could reach the classroom, she met Mr. Tiangco, the vice principal of their school.

"Good morning, Mr. Tiangco!" She greeted him just like how she greeted her former biology teacher. The man in his early 30s smiled at her when he noticed her.

"Perfect Portia, I found you here, I was about to search for you, now that you're here, come on, come with me, we need to talk to the office." Mr. Tiangco invited her.

Portia wonders why the vice principal wants to talk to her and what they are going to talk about, she can't stop herself from asking, "What are we going to talk about, sir?"

"Oh. By the way, I want to congratulate you. Probably you already are expecting this but..." The vice-principal paused for a second looking at her face with a smile, "You are one of the students who have the greatest potential to become the batch valedictorian, this is based on your performance last year. And we will talk about this matter to the office to have a formal setting."

The joy and excitement suddenly live in Portia's chest.

"Is that so, Mr. Tiangco? Sure, it would be my pleasure to join the conversation." She excitedly said with politeness.

"Very well, let's go so you won't get late for your first subject. It will be fast, don't worry." The vice-principal walked towards the office first, Portia then followed.

I'm sure momma and dada would be glad to know. She said she cannot wait to tell her parents, they will surely tell her over and over again how much they are proud of her and as a daughter, that's one of the most satisfying feelings, making her parents proud.

They arrived at the office, she wasn't surprised when she saw Deshna Rachel Mejares and Rimbert Agustin, they are also both good in academics. Deshna has the personality almost the same as she has, she is a nerd too and sometimes a victim of pranks but Portia thinks that Deshna is experiencing worse than she has. However, Rimbert Agustin is a sporty kind of guy, he is a member of Reinbert Academy's football varsity team, but he still excels in academics, he is one of the campus heartthrobs too.

She smiled at the two schoolmates, Deshna Rachel Mejares is from Accountancy and Business Management (ABM) Strand while Rimbert Agustin is from Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand. Deshna smiled back while Rimbert just ignored her.

"Okay, kindly take your seat." The vice-principal instructed. They all obliged and sat on the visitor's chair. "You probably know the reason why you are here."

They stayed silent and decided to listen to the vice principal.

"You three are the running batch valedictorian for this academic year. Actually, you're five, but the two are not yet here, each strand will have its valedictorian, and based on your performances last year, you will surely deserve it if ever. I will call for another meeting for all those students who topped last year."

"W-with all due respect, sir. May I... ask you a question?" Deshna shyly interrupted.

"Yes, Miss Mejares?" The vice-principal considered.

"I-I was just wondering..." she is shy enough to avoid eye-to-eye contact with the vice-principal, "Sir... why did you call for a... separate meeting?"

"Well..." Mr. Tiangco paused for seconds, "I want to inform you all first... because being the valedictorian is the highest honor that'll be given in the graduation ceremony."

Portia felt pressured. She sat straight and looked at the teacher but her mind started overthinking.

"Here's the good thing about being the batch valedictorian, students." Mr. Tiangco started, "Big universities here and abroad offer a great opportunity for the valedictorian."

"What opportunity, sir?" Rimbert curiously asked Mr. Tiangco.

"Scholarships, Mr. Agustin." he answered then added, "I know that you might be rich and scholarship may not matter for you, but studying in one of the great universities in the country or abroad hits so different especially when it specializes the courses or career path that you will take."

Portia suddenly felt the desire to get it. If I were to get the scholarship of a big university, it would be more convenient for my parents, we will not pay for tuition and the money that my parents had saved for years will be used for other things, other things that can make my parents happier, a new car maybe? She silently thought.

"That's why I want you to do your best, not everyone can get the opportunity that you will have, it will help you greatly in achieving your dreams, my dear students." The vice-principal encouraged them, "By the way, to become a valedictorian, I will expect for your very good performance. I want you to participate more especially in contests and other school activities, it will add points to your extra-curricular activities."

I need to become more attentive. Portia thought again. I can do this, for momma and dada.

"I want you to list down every activity, contest, events that you will attend that has something to do with our school, I'll be needing the lists at the end of this academic year."

Portia silently nodded while the two said, "Okay."

"Your attitude will reflect on your grades, kindly remember that, students." Mr. Tiangco reminded, "That would be all, this is so early but I want to congratulate you already, being one of the running valedictorians is already a great achievement, continue doing great and I'll see you at the top. You can go to your respective room. Thank you."

They bid their goodbyes to Mr. Tiangco.

Portia, you can do this. For yourself and your momma and dada. You'll be a great doctor someday, self. Fighting! She talked to herself in her mind then a smile escaped from her lips, I can do this.