The shy's girl crush

Loren's POV: Hello, my name is Loren Thompson. Most people know me as Loren The Nerd. I study a lot, and that's why I got this nickname. I'm not mad about it. Honestly, only a group of students are using it. They are the popular ones. I mean, Christina and her girls. I don't know why people like them so much. Sometimes, they can be mean. Well, they got the attention of the boys. My best friend Alice has a crush on one of them. His name is Jackson. From the outside, they look like a cute couple. I have to say that she is not as shy as me. I am a bit jealous of that. When we are together, I am carefree. During the other time, I am the quiet one. You can see me active only in class. Well, the teachers got tired of me. Even if I know the answer, they won't pick me. Except for my best friend, I have a crush as well. There is a boy named Dylan Myers. He has the prettiest blonde hair and blue eyes. I am with ginger hair and brown eyes. I don't think he will like me. I have had a crush on him since we came to high school. That's why I never talked with him. Sometimes he waves at me in the hall, and I quickly pull out a book or my phone. Otherwise, he will notice that I am staring at him. Alice makes fun of me for that. She has talked with Jackson but never about dating or going out. Maybe she is waiting for the right moment. At least my friend is making moves. I am scared to talk to Dylan. Also, he is always with Jackson, Christina, and her girls. These girls always find something to make fun of me. I don't want to do it in front of them. Maybe I have to keep it quiet. After all, I have two years until I graduate. If I don't do it this year, I'll do it the next one. I hope that I'll stop being tongue-tied when he is around. Currently, I am in school, waiting for Alice. She said she would come soon. Today is my first meeting with the mystery club for this year. All we do is play a game called Case Files. I love criminal and thriller books. That's why I searched for people who love this too. That's how Alice and I met. We are six people in the club. The other four members are boys. Of course, the doors are open to everyone interested. I can't believe that the school made this club official. I guess they don't know what we are doing. Well, they don't use any resources on us. All we need is a room. Soon, my best friend came. She took the books from her locker. Meanwhile, she looked at Jackson. I know how she feels. After all, we are two best friends who have a crush on other best friends. The problem is that none of us will tell them how we feel. Well, Alice might do it. She is not that shy. I wish I could say the same for myself. I know I have to be more open. The thing is that sometimes I feel like everyone is judging me. Maybe I have a big imagination. - One day, he will be yours. - I said - Only in my dreams. - When will you ask him out? - When he is alone. - Why? - If he is with Dylan or someone else, Jackson will reject me because he will feel embarrassed to talk to me. When he is alone, I will know what he thinks of me. There will be no games or pretending. - I understand. I wish you good luck. - Thanks. I will need it. - You'll be fine. - What about Dylan? When will you make a move? - I won't do it. - That's the wrong answer. - Look, I am tongue-tied when it comes to him. I can't talk to him. - Loren, Dylan is only a boy. They don't eat girls. - Alice said, chuckling - It's not about that. You do whatever you want. I won't follow you. - Ok, it's your loss. - Can we go to class? - Yes, sure. Like that, both of us walked into the classroom. The good thing is that all of our classes are together. Alice is my go-to buddy. I feel alone if she is not with me. I mean, she protects me from Christina and her girls. Of course, we sit at one of the front desks. Both of us want to have good grades. I turned around to take something from my backpack when I saw Dylan. We made quick eye contact. He waved at me with a smile. I managed to return it. My whole face is red. I quickly turned around. - Loren, are you ok? - I'm fine. - Are you sure? Your whole face is red. - I am. - Hold on! - Alice said and turned around - What are you doing? - Now I know why you are red. That will be a fun year. - No, it won't. Please don't do anything. - I will try, but I can't promise. - No! If you do something, I will tell Jackson the truth. - As you can, shy girl. - I am shy only around Dylan. - Ok, ok. I won't talk with him. - Good. On the lunch break, Alice and I went to eat with the boys from the mystery club. Let's say we don't want to be alone all the time. Also, we need to plan today's meeting. I have ordered another game. It won't arrive until Friday. That means we can talk. - Hey, Alex. - Oh, hey, Loren. Where is Alice? - Over there, waiting in line. - Good. - Hello, boys and girls. - Hi, Justin. - I said - Man, your hair is different. - I have had the same hair since I came here. - No, no. You have a new haircut. - I thought you meant the color or the hairstyle. - Hey, am I late? - Alice asked - No, you are on time. - Good. The line was long. - Hello, everyone. How are you? - Nicky said - We are fine and hungry. - Alice, you never stop eating. How are you so slim? - I won't share my secrets. - But I will. My friend has a fast metabolism. - I guess I am the last one to come. Hello. - Chris said - Ok, are all of you available today? - I asked - Yes, we are. The boys and I talked before we came here. - Alex said - Good. I have ordered another game, but it won't come until Friday. - Have you read the last Louise Penny book? - Justin asked - I did. It came a couple of months ago. - Nicky - I know, but now I had time for it. That thing is good. - Sad to say, I think this might be the end. - I said - Why? I love the series. - Read the end of the book one more time. - I know, I know. - Don't be sad. There are many other good books. - Alice said - Yes, but these series were different. The granny next door always complains when I play my video games. - Justin said, and we laughed - She is a great neighbor. - I said - Yeah, for sure, she is. - Hey, it could've been worse. - Look who is here. I mean Loren The Nerd and her friends. - Check this out. The little b*tch and the minions are here. - Alice said - Watch your mouth. - Why? You don't do it. - Game on, missy. - Let me see what you can do. - You won't win. - Christina said and left with her girls After the meeting with the mystery club, I went home. I have homework to do. According to my parents, I should go out more often. The thing is that I enjoy my own company at home. Let's say I don't know what to do or where to go outside. That's why I spend most of my time at home. When I finished my work, I decided to go for a walk. I don't feel better, but it's a way how I can waste my time. Soon I passed by a park and decided to sit on a bench. I felt a presence and looked up. Please, help me. - Hey, Loren. - Dylan said - H-h-hi. - Are you ok? - Y-yes. - Oh, ok. Your cheeks are red. That's why I asked. - I-I'm fine. - I haven't seen you here. You probably have another go-to place. - N-no. I l-like staying at home. - Why are you nervous? - Dylan asked and put his hand on my shoulder - I-I don't know. - Hey, it's me. I know Christina can be mean sometimes. Please don't mind her. - I-it's fine. - I don't bite. - he said, chuckling - I-I-I'm sorry. - You can calm down. - I'll try. - See? It's not that hard. - W-why do you talk with me? - What do you mean? - I am Loren The Nerd. - You are not a nerd. I like that you study so much. - Really? - Yes. That way, you'll have a secure future. - Thanks. - If you want, we can go for a walk. - I have to go home. - Oh, ok. Maybe the next time. - Yes, sure. - I'll see you in school. - Y-yes. - Bye, Loren. - Bye, Dylan. - I said and quickly walked away I made myself look like an i***t. Honestly, I'm not surprised. When it comes to Dylan, I can barely make a whole sentence. That's why he doesn't talk to me. It's not a lie that he is nice to everyone. Well, that doesn't change anything. I walked home and saw Alice watching a movie in the living room. Our families are close, and we have keys to each other's houses. - Hello. - Oh, hey. You weren't here, so I decided to wait for you. - Thanks, but you could've called me. - I came like fifteen ago. - That would've helped me. - I mumbled to myself - What do you mean? - Huh? - How would my call help you? - No, I didn't say that. - Loren, what happened? - I won't go out anymore. - Why? Did you see Christina and her minions? - No. It's worse. - What can be worse than that? This girl is the devil. - I went to a park, and Dylan sat next to me. - WHAT? I need the details right now. - I don't have much to say. - What did you do? - Nothing. - Loren. - It's the truth. I barely made a whole sentence. - Oh, girl. I think you need some lessons. - They won't help me. - Listen. You have to talk with Dylan. That is the only way how you can tell him what you feel. - I will never do that, and you know it. - Why are you so hard on yourself? Don't you want to date him? - I don't know. - Yes, you do. If you keep being shy, he will find a girlfriend. Then you will be upset. - I know. - Then why are you waiting? Do something. - I don't think I can. - No, you don't want to do it. - Can we talk about something else? - Sure. Let's watch the movie. I want to see the end. - Ok, move. - Nope. I warmed my place. - Alice said, and I laughed - Ok, I will sit from the other side. - Good. - Seeing him with another girl hurts me. - I know, but you have to tell this to him, not me. - I can't. He probably doesn't like nerds. - Why are you so sure? - Otherwise, he could've talked to me. - Dylan did it many times. He waved at you. Also, he greeted you in the morning. - I hate myself. - Everything will be fine. You'll see. - Let's say that I believe you. We watched the movie peacefully. I don't know what to tell Alice. Both my best friend and I look like hopeless romantics, no matter that I don't like saying this. The main difference is that my best friend has no problem talking with her crush. I mean, she is not nervous like me. When I start talking to Dylan, it's a disaster. I need to work on my social skills. - What do you want us to do now? - Huh? - I asked you a question. What is going on inside your little head? - Many things. - Dylan? - Yes. - You need to relax. Also, as much as I don't want to tell you this, Dylan is not the only fish in the sea. - Yes, but he is the only one with blonde hair and blue eyes. - True. You are the only one with ginger hair. - That doesn't make me feel better. I have been thinking of dying my hair brown or black. - Why would you do that? - So I can fit in. - Look, I don't think it's a good idea. If you still want to do it, try with a wig first. Even with a filter. I mean, to see what you will look like with it. - I'm not sure if my parents will like it. - Me either. I love your ginger hair. It gives me red vibes. - When I was little, I loved Winx club. That's why I was happy to have this color. - Because of Bloom? - Exactly. The fairy was my favorite. - Then keep it. I think it looks perfect on you. I can't do much with my brown hair. - You can do more than me. Have you heard of colorful extensions? - Yes, but it looks terrible. I have tried it. - I am trying to say you have more options than I do. Not every color goes with ginger hair. - The red will do it, for sure. - No, but orange will. - Oh, yeah. You can dye your hair orange for Halloween. - Thanks, but I'll pass. It's not something I want to do. - Honestly, I am jealous of your hair. It's so long and thick. - That's why I keep it straight. Curly hair is not for me. - Both ways, you look good. - If you say so. - Dylan liked your ginger hair. - Really? - I think so. I haven't asked. - Stop playing with me! - Ok, chill. - Let's do something. - I want us to go out. - Nooo! - Yeees! - Ugh, fine. Otherwise, you won't leave me in peace. - True. Let's go. - I hate you. - I love you too, my friend. Alice and I stayed outside until dinner time. Later, we walked back home. She is like my sister, so my parents don't treat her like a guest. She is allowed to do everything she wants. I'm glad that we are so close. Sharing things with a friend always feels good. I believe that one day, we'll have the boys of our dreams. Well, she might do it before me. As I see it, I won't tell Dylan anything. If I keep talking with him like that, soon he will stop coming to me. That is the last thing I want to happen, but I deserve it. Maybe it's not meant to be. I won't think about this now. I hope that I will overcome my shyness. It's not doing me a favor.