Chapter 1: The nerd

Trina's Point of View

"Class, I want you to meet your new classmate, Romeo."

I barely paid attention until I heard the name. A transferee? This late into the semester? Weird.

My eyes flicked to the front, and the moment I saw him, my brow arched in curiosity.

The guy standing there had his head bowed, his hands fidgeting at his sides. He looked… out of place. Oversized glasses, neatly combed hair, a perfectly tucked-in shirt—it was like he stepped straight out of a nerd stereotype from a decade ago. Someone even whispered, "Eww."

"M-My name is Romeo Dela Torre. N-nice to meet you!" His voice trembled slightly, his nervousness evident.

I had nothing against nerds, but something about him felt off. Not because of his appearance—though, seriously, who still dresses like that? Even the quietest bookworms I know have more style than this.

"T-That's all."

"Mr. Dela Torre, sit beside Mr. Smith."

Adrian Smith lazily raised his hand.

Oh, crap.

Poor guy. He just got assigned next to one of the worst bullies in Ashton University. Actually, most of the students in this class were bullies. I should know—I used to be one of their favorite targets. But I fought back. Now they just hate me and leave me alone.

As Romeo walked past the rows of seats, it happened.

A girl in front of me—Patricia—stuck her foot out.

Romeo didn't see it coming. He tripped forward, crashing face-first onto my desk. His glasses flew off and skidded across the floor.

Laughter erupted around us.

I clenched my jaw. Idiots.

I shot Pat a glare before turning to Romeo, grabbing his glasses and handing them to him.

Our eyes met.

And for a second, the world felt eerily silent.

A shiver ran down my spine. His gaze—sharp, intense—was nothing like the timid guy who just introduced himself. And for the briefest moment… I swore he smirked.

No way. I must be imagining things.

He quickly put his glasses back on, his awkward demeanor returning.

"Hoy, Trina! Don't tell me you're into that? Then again, who else would even like you besides him?" Patricia sneered, flipping her hair.

Laughter followed.

That bitch.

"Why? If I like Romeo, are you going to steal him too?"

The smugness on her face vanished. The students nearby reacted with a collective "Ooooh!"

"Oops, sorry! I forgot—Jackson dumped you yesterday. You must be devastated."

I smiled sweetly at her. It worked—her expression twisted in anger.

She stomped toward me, but before she could even touch me—

"Enough! Are you seriously fighting in my class?! Patricia, Trina—see me in my office before you go home. Understood?"

Our professor's furious voice sent the class into silence.

Great. Just great.

After the lecture, Patricia and I got an earful from our professor. She stomped away the moment we left the office, throwing one last glare at me.

I rolled my eyes and made my way to the school gate.

Then I stopped.

Romeo was standing there.

Waiting.

For me.

The moment I stepped out, he walked up to me, his expression full of concern.

"S-Sorry… you got in trouble because of me," he said, voice soft, almost childlike.

Okay, maybe I really was just imagining that smirk earlier.

I reached out, ruffling his hair.

"It's fine. Just don't let them push you around, okay?"

He nodded rapidly. Cute.

"A-Are you heading home? Let me walk you."

"I'm just taking a jeep. Besides, we might be going different ways, and I don't want you going out of your way."

"I insist."

I raised an eyebrow. If it were any other guy, I'd have shoved them off. But something about him made me chuckle instead.

"Fine. But I'm warning you—my house is far."

His face lit up like I'd just given him the best news in the world.

An hour later, we finally arrived.

Since he'd been stubborn enough to insist on walking me home, I figured I should at least be polite.

"Want to come in for a quick snack?"

He nodded immediately.

I led him inside, gesturing toward the old couch. "Sorry, our place is small. My mom and I just rent this."

As he sat down, my mom's voice called from the backyard.

"Sweetheart!"

I turned to see her, hands covered in soap bubbles. She was in the middle of doing laundry. I walked over and kissed her hand.

"Mom, I have a guest. My classmate."

She peeked into the living room and smiled at Romeo. He greeted her politely.

"Get him some snacks. Go buy some soft drinks outside."

I stepped out to buy soda, my mind wandering.

We were five months behind on rent. Any moment now, the landlord's caretaker would show up demanding payment.

Ugh. Another problem to deal with.

But when I got back home—

I froze.

Mom and Romeo were sitting side by side.

Laughing.

And in my mom's hands—

Stacks of cash.

"Sweetheart! Your classmate is such a kind boy! Look!"

I gawked at the money. Where the hell did he get that?!

"Where did you get that, Mom?"

"From Romeo! I mentioned our debt while you were out, and he offered to lend us some money."

Mom was practically glowing with gratitude. Me? I felt a mix of embarrassment and suspicion.

I snatched the cash from her hands and shoved it back at Romeo.

"Sorry, Romeo. Mom got carried away, but we can't accept this."

"Trina, it's fine. I offered. And it's not a gift—it's a loan. So don't feel bad."

He extended the money to me again.

And for some reason—

My hands moved on their own.

I took it.

"Romeo, thank you! I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

"It's okay. I'm willing to wait."

Then he smiled.

And this time, I was sure—

That smile wasn't innocent at all.

To be continued…