There's Something About Nerds

Chap. 1 Punishment

"Daaad!" James whined as he was dragged by his arm into the school. It was a 5:00 on a Friday afternoon, and James would really rather be on a date or maybe hanging with Kendall and Logan. Anything but this. James' dad let go as soon as they were inside and looked his pouting son in the eye.

"James. This is for your own good. You got an F in all academics! An F!" his dad exclaimed, making James roll his eyes. "Trust me. You could meet some new people!"

"Yeah, by that you mean new nerds."

"I wouldn't call them nerds...just intellectual indivisuals. People who are up for a challenge! Maybe they could help you get your grades up-and that doesn't mean they should do your homework for you." James' dad lectured him as he continued dragging him towards a classroom down the hall. he stopped in front of the open doorway to give James a small hug and a push towards the door. James groaned and walked into the classroom.

Inside there were about a dozen boys and girls, and not the kind James liked hanging out with. There were a few average looking people, and a whole bunch of nerdy looking people. James usually wasn't one to judge by appearance, but honestly, he could tell they were nerds. Seriously, the glasses, the 'I LOVE CALCULUS' baseball caps. You might as well write 'I'm a huge dork' on each of their foreheads.

But none of them even looked up to greet him. They were too caught up in..whatever they were doing. They were all looking at wooden boards with random little game pieces on them, moving them around and furrowing their eyebrows. What's this game called again? Oh yeah..chess, right? James remembered the name. Chess club. This is NOT how I want to spend my Friday nights.

Before James could continue thinking his bitter thoughts, a small Latino boy with red rimmed glasses came up to him and smiled.

"Hey! Welcome to Chess Club. You wanna play against me?" the boy smiled broadly and motioned towards an empty table.

James was about to deny his request, but his dad would probably kill him if he found out he hadn't participated. James sighed and reluctantly followed him to the desk.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever."

The Latino boy grinned and bounced over to the desk. James thought it was kind of funny how hyperactive the little geek seemed. They sat down and the shorter boy began setting up the board. He noticed James wasn't setting up his side and did it for him. James still didn't move.

The Latino looked at him. "You gonna move?"

James raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Well I would, if I knew how to play...this game." James muttered forgetting the name again.

The boy's face scrunched up as he scratched the back of his head in confusion. "Wait, hold up. You don't know how to play chess, and you joined chess club? "

James gave a weak smile. "So that's what it's called!-I mean, yeah I don't know how to.

The shorter boy stared at him in wonder, but decided not to ask. He recognized the dilemma. Punishment was what he assumed. "Well I'll be glad to teach you if you're up for it. You're gonna need to now how to play chess if you're going to be here all year." Carlos said with a huge grin. "My name's Carlos by the way." He stuck out his hand.

James took his hand and nodded. "Cool. I'm James."

"Yeah, I know."

...

After what seemed like forever, James understood the game and had gotten used to it. He was surprised Carlos hadn't started screaming at him with impatience since he was so slow and stubborn. They were in the middle of their fourth game, and James looked at the chessboard and something clicked.

Carlos' King was stuck. If it moved left, James' Queen would eat him. If he moved right, James' Bishop would eat him. Diagonally, he was still toast. James grinned and glanced up at Carlos' face, which was washed over with thinking and concentration.

"Che-eckma-ate!" James singsonged, slapping his hand down against the board with delight. Carlos was staring at the board with his mouth hanging open.

"Wow James, you're great! You beat me at chess! Me! " Carlos exclaimed, not caring how conceited it sounded, this was incredible.

James playfully poked Carlos on the nose. "Hah! Beat that, little Carlitos."

Carlos blushed at the name. It had a very cute ring to it when James said it. Carlos gave him a playful glare. "Oh shut up, Jamie."

And then it hit. It's as if James had gotten glasses for the first time. He was looking at Carlos from a different perspective. This was the first time James started thinking Carlos was cute. Literally, hearing Carlos call him Jamie and bonding with him like they were best friends made him realize how adorable the boy in front of him was.

Everything about him was cute. The way he would push his little nerd glasses up when he was concentrating, the blush he got when he was complimented, his short spiky hair, dazzling eyes. Wow, it was really strange. James came back to reality.

"A-hem." Carlos cleared his throat. "I SAID, it's time to go James. You kinda went blank for a second there."

James blushed and gathered his things, trying to break eye contact with him so it wouldn't get awkward. Man, James had some strange feelings in him right now. The blush lingered as he grabbed his backpack and turned around to find that the room was empty except for him and Carlos. Carlos was smiling sweetly as he waited patiently for him.

"You go past Grover Avenue? We could walk home together."

James nodded happily and followed Carlos out the door.

Well? What'd you think? Please R&R this story and my other 4! It wold mean so much to me. :3 This is going to be another five shot. Enjoyz! [Okay, I'm lame ;) ]

-datsRUSHERiffic