CHAPTER 4

As I walked to the principal's office, I thought of the rate at which time flies. It was a week already since I got to Westfield and so far things have been pretty smooth.

I knocked softly.

"Come in!" The principal called.

I opened the door slowly. "Principal Davis?"

"Mr Patel." He said smiling broadly. "Sit, please."

I sat

"According to the report I've received from the teachers, we may have underestimated your abilities."

"I don't get."

"You're brighter than we thought." He said.

"Oh?" I tried to hide my blush.

"If you go on like this till senior year, the school will help you get scholarships for college." He said. "I'm proud of you, Patel. Westfield is proud of you."

I smiled shyly. "Thanks a lot, Principal Davis."

He nodded with a smile. "And don't hesitate to ask me if you need anything."

I nodded. "Thanks."

I wanted to scream with excitement when I came out of the office but for the sake of passersby, I controlled myself

"So, what was your meeting with the Principal all about?" George asked when I joined the table at the cafeteria.

"Nothing much." I said. "He just said he's proud of me, blah blah blah."

"OMG!" George said.

"What?"

"You know what it means for Principal Davis to commend a person?" George asked.

"Er, no?"

"It means you stand a chance at Westfield." He said.

I was confused. "I still don't get."

"You'll get a lot of benefits." George said.

"Some of which are..."

"Fame! Glory!" He said. "And the girls."

I shook my head. "You know, for a nerd, you do like girls a lot."

He sighed. "A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do."

I laughed.

Sophie and Chelsea walked to us.

"Sup guys?" Chelsea said.

"Hey ladies." I said. I looked at Sophie. She looked sad. "What's with Sophie?"

"She got a call from her Dad." Chelsea said.

"He threatened to withdraw her from Westfield if she doesn't improve on her grades."

Poor Sophie. George told me before that her parents were divorced and she stayed with her father. I couldn't watch the girl I had fallen for sad.

"I can help."

She looked at me.

"Of course." She paused. "I mean, you can?"

I laughed. "Sure!" I said. "Saturday at your convenient venue."

"Awww... You're such a sweetheart, Leo Patel." Chelsea said.

"Thanks." Sophie. said.

I smiled as I stared into her eyes. They had those sparkles that could melt a person's heart.

The school finally ended and we - George and I - were on our way to our dormitory.

"Be honest with me, man." George said

"No, George." I said.

"I saw the way you looked at her." He said. "You like her, don't you?"

"Maybe a little." I finally admitted.

George stopped walking. He stood grinning from ear to ear.

"What?"

"I just thought of both of you together." He said. " You two would make a great couple."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"You think I should ask her out?"

"One step at a time, Leo Patel." He said.

The noise from our room was so unbearable. We tried to open the door but it was locked. I decided to knock.

"No! Don't!"George said. "One time I tried it and I regret it."

"Just chillax!"

I knocked the door but no one answered. I knocked again and again. Then finally I could hear the lock clattering.

The door opened and a shirtless Diego stood before us.

"What the..." He paused. "I took a pause on the fun I was having because of these guys?"

"Who are those?" Chase asked then appeared behind Diego.

"Can we just come in?" I asked.

"Get lost!" He said and tried to slam the door in our faces.

I held the door preventing it from being shut.

"This is our room too." I said. " We have entitlement to it as well as you do."

Chase chuckled. "Looks like Patel is trying to get into trouble."

I pushed my way in and George followed closely behind. The room was a mess.

I tried to hold in my rage when I saw the mess on my bed.

"Who did this?" I asked.

"I did!" Diego said proudly. " What? Are you gonna fight me?"

I tried to control the anger stirring within me

"Or will you have your Daddy do it for you."

That was my cue to unleash my anger.

I rushed at him holding his neck.

"Don't you ever refer to my family like that again."

He nodded vigorously and I let him go.

I didn't have to tell Chase to get out of my way.