"And if we could all turn to page 314 for our new lesson on the Divergence Theorem," Mr. Roberts droned, writing the term on the board.

Mr. Roberts, an awkward man in his late 30's with thinning hair and a bald spot smack at middle of his head. He sat back in his chair, straightening his tie and fidgeting in his seat. He fiddled with his small spectacles, cleaning them with a handkerchief before putting it back again. Everyone automatically groaned and took out their textbooks to flip to page 314. The only sound in the room was of pages being flipped in unison.

I couldn't help but let out a yawn before leaning my head to my arm that's propped by the desk. Even a certified nerd as myself can't help but die from boredom in this class. Sure, I live to learn and all that stuff, but even I can be bored sometimes. Mr. Roberts looked up from the textbook and cleared his throat.

"Yes..." The teacher paused a moment, probably racking his brain for the name that matched the face. "Parkins?"

"You're close," someone told him. "It's Parker."

Everyone turned to follow his gaze and saw someone raising his hand with a bored expression on his face. I knew who it was, it was Parker O'Neil. A quarterback in the football team. With short brown hair with natural highlights, bright blue eyes and charming grin, lots of girls have the usual crush on him. Like most of the football players, he has the same build, tall, and pretty muscular. He wore the school's varsity jacket practically everyday to show he's the in the football team and no one should forget it. He's a pretty popular guy, not very surprising actually. He usually jokes around in class as much as he doesn't pay attention. Actually, he never raises his hand in class. So it's pretty much a surprise on what he's doing with his hand up. Maybe he was just stretching.

Mr. Roberts shook his said. "Sorry Parkins-"

"Parker," he corrected again.

"Parker," the teacher corrected himself. "Do you have a question, Parker?"

"Yeah, it's about our topic with the detergent theorem," Parker said.

Everyone laughed at his mistake. It was so stupid, even I couldn't help but laugh along. But obviously, Mr. Roberts didn't get the joke and looked even more confused than ever.

Mr. Roberts eyebrows knitted together. "It's the Divergence Theorem. And what of it?"

"Well I have a theory of my own," Parker stated boldly.

"A theory is of science, a theorem is of mathematics. But something tells me that won't make much of a differ-"

"No, it will not!" Parker declared.

He sighed. "Okay then, Parkins-"

"Parker."

"Right, Parker. So let's hear this theory of yours even though we are in calculus." He said, pretty patiently.

"My theory is that if I make you go out of topic long enough, we would get less time on this class." Parker said smugly with a smirk on his face.

There a couple of snickers from my classmates. The others wore an amused look on their faces, liking the idea that they're time is being wasted with jokes than math.

Mr. Roberts frowned. "And is your so called theory correct?"

He really wasn't helping himself. Parker was clearly interrupting the class so we wouldn't go on the lesson, and he was being gullible and falling for it. I just sat back and watched where this conversation is going.

"Well," Parker said, pulling out an imaginary pen and beginning to take down notes. "Given that it's been a couple minutes since class started and we still haven't begun the lesson... Then yes, my theory is correct."

Mr. Roberts opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly closed it. It took a while, but he finally realized he's just been duped.

He sighed in defeat. "Well done, Mr. O'Neil," he said, finally remembering Parker's full name without Parker having to correct him. "You've gotten-" He checked his watch "-seven minutes of class wasted."

Parker frowned. "Darn it, I was going for a new record."

It's a known fact that Parker does this practically everyday. Sometimes his topics went way out of topic. Once it went from learning about the continuous function to telling each other yo mamma jokes. Once the topic even turned about me. It was awkward listening to them talk about me like pranks they did, names they made up, bruises they gave me, while I was working on the classwork. Sometimes his conversations would last for a few minutes if Mr. Roberts caught  on early. Other times it would last probably the whole class, once everyone was so engrossed with the topic they ignored the bell. Well, except me, I left early while everyone was too busy talking about alien invasions.

Mr. Roberts turned the page. "Since the math topic was ruined by Mr. O'neil, let's change it."

I was the only one who groaned  since I was almost done with reading the lesson ahead. Everyone snickered but said nothing.

"Everyone, turn to page lesson one of page 618. We will be discussing about the Squeeze Theorem-" He caught himself and sighed, looking at Parker's already raised hand.

"Yes, Parker? Do you have anything to comment on this topic?"

"Must I really?" Parker asked.

He sighed. "No, you may not. How about this? You all will do a worksheet, and once you're done you may have free time."

The whole class burst into chaos, with cheers and whoops. I looked at Mr. Roberts who couldn't help but smile even though he lost in his own classroom. He then took out a stack of worksheets from his and began handing it out to each row. I glanced at Parker who was getting high-fives and slaps on the back. Then his eyes met mine, and one of them winked at me. I was left dumbfounded, not knowing what that wink meant.

But before I could question it further, I heard someone clear his throat. I looked forward and saw a worksheet held out to me. It wasn't teared in half or crumpled and passed to the person behind me. Instead he just handed me the paper. And instead of taking it, I stared at the paper like it was grenade waiting to explode.

"Um... it's only a worksheet," the guy said awkwardly. "It's not going to bite."

"Yeah, but the holder might," I muttered under my breath for only me to hear. But I took the worksheet and began working on it.

I was already half way done with the worksheet. It was pretty easy, just some review of what we learned last week. But as I worked on the next problem, I heard something.

"Excuse me. Move it. Hey, can we switch seats? Thanks."

I heard a someone plop down on a seat next to me and sigh with relief. At first I wanted to ignore this and continue with my work. But I could feel the person's stare and it was slowly getting on my nerves. Curiosity won over me and I turned to see Parker looking at me.

"May I help you with anything?" I asked dryly.

"Yeah." He said nervously, almost embarrassed. Then he admitted to me, "I need some help with the classwork. Think you can help a guy out?"

I can't help but raise an eyebrow. This guy is one of Raymond's friends. And a friend of an enemy is my enemy. He's given me more than a couple of punches. But now that I think of it, his punches were weaker than the other guys. Either he really is just weak, or he hung back a little for the poor nerd. Obviously it's the former.

I crossed my arms and looked  him in amusement. "So you want me to help you?"

He shrugged pathetically. "Yeah. Pretty much."

"And why of all people, would you ask for my help?"

"Cause you're the smartest girl in the school."

I didn't know why I did it. I didn't know what came over me. But I did. And once I did it, I couldn't take it back.

I blushed.

Yes, I, Naomi Lorraine, just blushed at a comment that I knew was true from one of the most popular guys in school who not only was a quarterback in the football team but was also one of the goons of Raymond. I mean, I already know this is true. I'm the only kid in school who tries to get grades, besides my fellow nerds and geeks who have a higher social status than me. I guess I just work in my school work harder than the average nerd, I'm like the...  super nerd. But even though I knew this, I still blushed at the known comment. And it wasn't just a little pink in the cheeks, my cheeks were red in embarrassment, my face heating up.

I quickly shook the blush away and covered it with a glare. "Yeah, you'd know. Given you did bully the school nerd more than a couple of times."

The whole class said, "Ooh." Yes, they actually said it. Usually when I make comebacks, good ones I might add, they glare at me and cheer on the other guy as he beats me up. But neither the class or Parker did that. Parker instead just gave me a sad smile.

He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah... I did... didn't I..." He sighed. "Sorry about that."

Did I wake up in some alternate dimension or something?

"But please Naomi-" I noted that he didn't call me the usual nicknames I'm used to "-I really need the help. These idiots don't know anything."

His friends started to argue about that, but Parker just gave them a look of disbelief, making them shut up. They knew it themselves that they were dumber than the average rock.

"And I really, really need it. Just ask Mr. Roberts."

All eyes turned to Mr. Roberts. He nervously pushed his glasses up his nose. "Well, given Parker does have a D going to an F in this class even though it's barely the first few weeks of school, yes, he really does need some help."

"See?" Parker said proudly, even though it's nothing to be proud of. "I need some help. So what do you say? Help a dumb guy out with your smartness? Hey, maybe your intelligence might rub off on me."

One of his friends snorted. "Yeah, you're going to do a lot more than rub for him to actually to be considered smart." Then he paused, his eyebrows furrowing. "That sounded differently in my head..."

I sighed then turned back to my worksheet, finishing the next answer and working on the others. "Then would you leave me alone?"

"C'mon," Parker said. "Why would you want this-" he said as he gestured to himself "-to leave you alone?"

"Cause this-" I said as I gestured to him "-might beat me to a pulp later."

"Touche." He admitted. "But let's cut a deal then."

"It's not like I got anything better to do." I said, answering a toughie of a question, but nothing I couldn't handle. "Oh wait, I do. I have classwork."

"We both know you can finish this blindfolded with your hands behind your back." Parker stated simply.

"Well yes, you have a point." I said, considering this as I paused from another question and looked at him. "But we both know that I much rather do my work than talk with you."

Cue another 'ooh' from the class.

"You Lorraine, are on a roll," Parker said with a grin, pretty much ignoring the fact I'm just talking back to him.

"Why thank you," I said, taking the compliment.

"If you don't want to help me out so badly, how about this?" He offered.

"I'm listening," I said. Okay, I was lying. I was half listening. I was working on the last problem of my worksheet now. But he didn't have to know that.

"No you're not." He accused.

Because he already knew.

"Okay... now... I... am..." I made a fist pump to myself in triumph then flipped over my paper and put it in the corner of my desk. I looked at Parker who was staring at my worksheet longingly.

"So I take it you're not going to let me copy that work?" He asked.

"Given you're not threatening me with your fist the answer is... no."

"And if I were threatening you with my fist..." Parker ventured.

"My answer will still be no." I said clearly.

"I was hoping you'd say that," he said with a grin. But that only made me frown. What did he mean by that?

"If you won't help a guy in need for some little classwork, how about you tutor me instead?"

I blinked. "Wait. What?"

"Tutor me." He repeated. "Tutor me in calculus."

"I don't-"

"I'm not that stupid, if that's the problem." He said. "I swear I'll do my best. I just really need the tutoring."

"He really does," Mr. Roberts piped in.

"I-uh..."

"I'll pay you." He offered me.

I glared at him. "I don't want your money."

"Then let me add, I'll pay you... with food."

I perked up at the sound of the word. "Food?"

He frowned. "Yeah, you're right. You're a girl. If you rather have some clothes or whatever-"

"No, food's fine." I said.

Then I thought about it. What was I saying? Was I actually willing to tutor one of Raymond's friends, one of my bullies. I began to remember the times he was there when I was beaten up, the times he punched me when I was left defenseless, the times when he called me things and laugh along with his friends. Was I really going to tutor him... for food?

Yes, yes I am.

I mean yes, I should probably be thrown into the loony bin. Many of my classmates would be more than happy to see me go. But one, I was really hungry, and I really love to eat. I mean really, it's free food. Free food. Need I say more? And two, with all of this niceness going around- as if Santa Claus was checking his list early and everyone is being extra good (I snorted at that) to make the nice list- it might be alright doing this. If David Sanchez who had every right to kick me in the stomach after ruining his reputation would actually buy me a bottle of water, why can't Parker O'Neil buy me some food? And I always had the guys to back me up.

Parker smiled. "Cool. So I'll meet you at lunch?"

Well, I wasn't expecting lunch. I thought he'd buy me a bag of chips and toss it to me. Either by a, 'here you go, thanks for the tutoring.' Or when everything goes back to normal he'll use that throwing arm of his to good use and throw the bag of chips at me in 60 mph. Hopefully it's the former, hopefully.

"Yeah, lunch sound's good." I said.

The bell rang, telling us the class was over. Everyone began handing back their unfinished worksheets and packing up. I passed up my finished paper and slipped my pencil back in my bag. I got up from my desk and began walking to the door to leave the room.

But it was then Parker leaned down close with a smile and said. "You know, I didn't really mean it with that threat with my fist. It was a joke."

I gave him a reassuring smile. But at the back of my mind I couldn't help but think, yes you were.

-

"It just seems weird," I admitted, twirling my pen with my hand. "I mean... it's a nice weird, but still weird."

"I can get where you're going with," Mrs. Matthews, the school's nurse, said. "It's weird enough you're coming here only for service, not for ice packs or bandages."

"For running into poles," I reminded her.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, for running into poles."

"With the occasional door," I admitted.

Mrs. Matthews replied with only a small chuckle while shaking her head. Then she went back to reorganizing the cabinets.

She's the nicest person- besides the lunch lady who sneaks me lunches but is off on Wednesdays -in school. Well, there were the Musketeers, so let me rephrase that. She's the nicest person- besides the lunch lady who sneaks me lunches but is off on Wednesdays -that works in school. But one thing she and the lunch lady don't have in common is that she doesn't know about my constant bullying. Of course, I doubt she still believes I run into poles and the occasional door having me

Mrs. Matthews was the cool grandma anyone would want. I mean, my grandma on my dad's side is pretty sweet, as sweet as her homemade pies. But Mrs. Matthews was like a second grandma to me. Even at the late age of the 60s, that doesn't stop her to be the optimistic, cheery person. With her wavy short hair that's brown turning gray, showing her age. She was slightly shorter than me, and I was considered shorter than average, especially compared to the guys. She wore small square eyeglasses with beaded glasses straps that usually hung around her neck unless she's reading something. And always wore that warm smile that would make your day.

"Are you sure you don't want any help?" I asked unsurely. "I am in service after all."

She waved me off, dismissively. "It's alright, dear. I make not look like it, but I still got it." Jokingly she flex her arm, making me only roll my eyes in embarrassment.

"How are your children, Mrs. Matthews?" I asked her, wanting to change the subject.

"Oh, they're alright," she replied. "My son is fine. And my daughter is finally having a baby-" she let out a sigh of relief "-And here I thought I was going to die before I ever see my grand kids."

"Don't say that," I said, "Like you said, you still got it."

She laughed. "That I do." Mrs. Matthews took a good look at me. "You know Naomi, that offer of mine still stands..."

I let out a groan. "And you know, my answer still stands. The answer is no."

"But my nephew is such a sweet boy," she argued. "My brother's son raised him well, just like our parents did with him. He's smart, funny and very cute. You'd like him, Naomi. Just give him a chance."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Matthews, but I'm going to have to decline," I said, before adding, "again."

She let out a sigh. "I'm not going to give up, Naomi. You will be having a date with him if it's the last thing I'll do."

"I wouldn't count on it," I said in sing-song.

Well, it wasn't that I didn't want to be set up for a date. From what Mrs. Matthews said about her son, he sounds pretty cool (sigh) and yes, he sounded pretty cute. He's about my age, in honor roll, likes to read, stuff like that, a decent guy compared to guys my age in my school from playboys to jerks. But it wasn't that I wanted to date him, I didn't want him to date me. The last thing I want is to break Mrs. Matthews's heart when she hears her golden-boy of a nephew running for his life the first moment her realizes his blind date is Nerdy Naomi. And why would I go through the trouble just to get rejected? So it's best just to refuse her offers for setting me up a blind date almost everyday in service.

"Well, to make up for refusing my offer, once again," Mrs. Matthews said. "Go and clean up the office for me, will you?"

"Finally," I said, standing up from my chair and stretching a bit. "Something to actually do."

She shook her head. "Most kids would complain about helping. I'm glad you're not like them."

I smiled back at her. "Me neither."

I headed towards the office and went to work. I sweeped and dusted the place, reorganized the desk, and was almost done with some filing when the bell rang. I sighed and got up from the chair. When I walked out, I stopped short when I saw something. I saw Mrs. Matthews.

Next to a smiling Parker.

Mrs. Matthews was studying Parker curiously, as if she never saw a football player before. But then again, I can't blame her. The only time kids from the football team are here is when they get injured out at the field. So she couldn't help but wonder why he's here. And neither can I.

"What are you doing here?" I asked accusingly.

His smile just widened. "I told you I'm treating you to lunch. And now it's lunch."

"Yeah, I get that. But I thought we were just going to meet at the cafeteria. Not you waiting for me to walk me to the cafeteria."

"Well, like they always say, chivalry isn't dead."

To you it should be. Of course, I didn't say that. I like to live, thank you very much.

"I didn't know you were friends with anyone in the football team," Mrs. Matthews said, almost suspiciously.

I flinched at the sound of the word friends. I only had three friends. None of them were or will ever be in the football team. Well, except Declan, but you get what I mean. The guys would never be in the same league as them.

"We're just... acquainted," I said, choosing the word carefully.

"Well, we better get well acquainted, then," Parker said brightly, giving me a smile. "Now c'mon, we gotta go to the cafeteria."

"Um, okay." I picked up my bag and looked at Mrs. Matthews. "See you tomorrow."

"I hope so," she said, but giving me an assuring smile.

I couldn't help but force out a smile. "I hope so too."

Parker put his arm around my shoulder, giving me sudden jolt of electricity there. I kept telling myself, his hand is on my shoulder, his arm is around my shoulder. I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. I think I could have been panicking. He was either doing this for some unknown reason or he was going to grab my arm and judo flip me. It was most likely the latter.

We both left the nurse's office to see another surprise. Well actually, I already knew this was going to happen, and they're usually there to pick me up, so it wasn't that surprising. But it still was.

It was the guys.

All three of them were hanging outside of the office. Bennett was casually leaning against the lockers. Jordan was pacing on the floor. And Declan was on his phone next to the door. When the looked up at me, they wore identical smiles at the sight of me. But those smiles vanish to frowns and glares when they saw my company.

"Who the hell are you?"

"What are you doing here?"

"And why is your arm around, Naomi? Hey wait, why am I asking, get your arm off of her before I do it for you!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Parker said, taking his arm off me and holding his hands up in defense. "I wasn't doing anything bad, I swear."

"He wasn't," I assured them, for some reason defending him which I now question.

With the guys's same confused look, they were probably wondering the same thing.

"He's treating me to lunch," I told them.

"This guy?" Declan asked, coming in front of Parker and sizing him up.

I couldn't help but feel sad for the poor guy. If he was a football player, Declan is a wrestler compared to him. Well, Declan isn't bodybuilder looking, that would look pretty freaky, but you get my point. Parker looks like a shrimp compared to Declan. Declan straightened himself, giving Parker his signature glare. I could see visible beads of sweat rolling down Parker's forehead.

"Why would he want to treat you to lunch?" Jordan asked, sizing up Parker as well.

Okay, now it's sizing Parker up time. Jordan wasn't as muscular as Declan given he was the athletic fanatic. But he was just as tall, and just as intimidating. Usually, Jordan would be all jokes and smiles like Parker. But when Jordan wanted to, he could make someone wet themselves just by his glare, probably learned from the best with Declan. His green eyes usually bright and cheerfully were dark, giving a look of intimidation. And he wore a frown that look so strange compared to his usual mischievous smiles.

"I'm going to tutor him in calculus. He's thanking me by buying me lunch." I answered for him, since Parker looked like he was about to either piss himself or run away, most likely both.

"Oh, really?" Bennett mused.

He walked up to Parker in a slow pace, probably freaking the guy out. Bennett usually slouches, but right now he straightened himself to make him inches taller than the two, looming over Parker who was visibly trembling with fear. Bennett kept his cool demeanor, though his blue eyes sharpened and was practically boring holes at Parker.

"Then you wouldn't mind if you would treat us to lunch too, will you?" Bennett asked Parker, with a raised eyebrow.

He eagerly shook his head. "N-no. I would love to treat you guys to lunch."

All of the guys instantly backed away, wearing the same amused smiles. I shook my head, these guys can be something sometimes. And I'm just glad I'm on their side.

"Then lead the way."

Hey, everyone how's it going?

Someone yells, "Where the hell were you?"

Chuckles nervously. Sorry I didn't update sooner, I was doing... stuff. Anyway, I hope this chapter makes up for it. It was supposed to be longer, but I decided to cut it in half, the other half will be the next chapter.

Anyway, this story is dedicated to Alecia_Bae, an awesome person here on Wattpad. She's a Rayomi fan. You all must be wondering, 'What's Rayomi?" Well Rayomi is a ship name of Raymond and Naomi. (Cue the spit takes) Yes, you're all probably freaking out and asking if the girl's crazy.  But I can assure you, she's sane, her mother had her tested (quote from Big Bang Theory if you get it). Actually, when I asked her why she likes Raymond so much, she told me this whole essay of why. And thanks to her, I see Raymond so differently now. I wish I could add Raymond in this chapter, but I want to dedicate a chapter already to her and was too impatient to wait. So here it goes, hope you like it Alecia!

I would have posted this chapter sooner, but I was watching Fluffy (this awesome stand up comedian named Gabriel Iglesias, look him up in Youtube) and too busy laughing then writing. I hope you all enjoyed the story, and I'll post the next chapter most likely tomorrow or the next day. If the World Cup won't get in my way, which it won't, maybe. Oh and I finally decided that Raymond would be portrayed as Zac Efron from a suggestion of this awesome girl name Rae_Rae__ who I met through Alecia. And Naomi will be portrayed as Barbara Palvin. Bye everyone!

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