A/N- Another one written for the Live Journal fma_fic_contest. The prompt was "Nerd." A couple of OCs are in this one, only because it's Roy in high school. I think that he might have had a conflict between wanting to be popular and wanting to learn. I see Roy as a nerd, but he's a charismatic nerd. His charisma might not have been fully developed until a little later. :)
Roy was pretty sure that he looked reasonably cool leaning against the locker. Lovely Loretta smiled at him, and he smiled back.
"Ugh! Wasn't algebra the worst? Why on Earth are we supposed to know that stuff? It's stupid nonsense. Who will ever use that rubbish?" she grumbled.
"A total waste of our time," he pronounced, hoping that his voice would not crack. Roy had actually found the day's subject matter rather interesting. He had worked his way through the algebra textbook in the first two weeks of the term. In fact, he had surreptitiously borrowed a geometry book from the library and was teaching that to himself. The sciences were his main interest, especially alchemy, and the maths were needed to study the sciences. But, Loretta looked so pretty grumbling, and a few days ago, she had pulled him into an alcove and kissed him, so, he agreed with her. Rudy, her quarterback boyfriend, was an obnoxious idiot. Roy thought that, if he played his cards right, he actually had a chance of taking Loretta to the Homecoming Dance. But not if she ever found out what a nerd he really was.
He was a little ashamed that he felt the need to hide his interests, and he wasn't sure exactly why he didn't want anyone to know that he was smart. Maybe because most of the kids didn't seem to hold knowledge in high esteem. Athletic prowess was in first place, and good looks came in second. He was not a big guy, but he did pretty well in track, so the guys treated him okay. The girls seemed to like him well enough. He was pretty sure that part of the reason that the guys were okay with him- despite the girls thinking that he was cute- was that they somehow did not see him as a threat. He kind of liked that. Their underestimating him made him feel strong and stealthy.
"So, Loretta, what do you like to do when you don't have to be here?" he inquired. Maybe they had something in common. Maybe she had hidden depths. It dawned on him that he might not be the only student with secrets.
But, sadly, she said, "On no! Sorry, Roy. I'm already late for cheer leading practice. We'll have to talk some other time." But, she did smile even more brightly, and she brushed his arm as she passed.
He glanced at his watch and realized that he, too, was going to be late for his Tuesday afternoon chess games with Norman, the president of the Chess Club. Norman hated that Roy refused to join the club, but Roy was the only player who presented a challenge, so they were sort of secret friends. Roy walked toward his destination, periodically checking behind to verify that no one would observe him heading toward Norman's.
A/N- Thanks for reading, and thanks to the people who have favorited various stories since the last time that I posted here. Take care, and happy holidays.