Archive of Our Own ^beta

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His hair shone in the wind, his muscles bulged from his shirt. Jayden gave you a smile. His white teeth glistened in the sun’s rays, gleaming and blinding all the people in love with him…which was about everyone but me! I am just a nerdy girl at primrose high. Nobody ever notices me but that’s how i like it. My friends Millie and Annie are all i need in this school. We play video games, talk about all the shows we love and…boys. Look i love my friends but who CARES?! I don’t have the time to think about “boys” and stupid “love”. I need to focus on getting into an ivy league school. I was unlocking my locker when i hear a familiar, agitating voice. “Hey Matilda. You dropped this” Jayden hands me my calculus book. “Oh thanks” I snatched the book away from him and got back to my locker, looking for my ap bio book. “You look like you changed. Did u change your hair or?…” his voice trailed off in my mind. I know I changed but i don’t care. Summer changed me. My hair is longer and I got blonde highlights. I got a little taller and my sister forced me into a workout plan, skincare routine and buying a new wardrobe. Best of all, my braces were off. I did not want these new changes to define me though. I mean, I am still going to be that smart girl going to an Ivy league school. No time for boys…not even ones as cute as- WHAT?! DID I REALLY JUST THINK THAT?! NO NO NO THIS CAN’T BE! I turn back to Jayden and his voice comes back “…yeah u just look better, yknow” “uhhh, thanks!” I say giggling and looking down. THIS IS NOT ME! I DO NOT GIGGLE AT BOYS! I GIGGLE WHEN I GET MATH CALCULATIONS RIGHT. NOT WHEN AN XY CHROMOSOME SAYS STUPID WORDS TO ME! I quickly shut my locker and storm off to my class. “OH. MY. GOSHHH! I CANNOT BELIEVE HE NOTICED YOU LIKE THAT!” Millie and Annie were whispering excitedly in class. “And what happened next?” Annie asked, leaning closer with a gleam in her eyes. “I walked away. I can’t be late to class. A disappointed groan leaves their mouths. “Ur so fucking useless, Matilda. Only THE hottest guy at school noticed u and u…walked away?!” Millie sighs. “You have GOT to get some game in ur system gurl!” Annie chimes in. “Uhhh last time i checked, NONE of us have had boyfriends yet?!” I laughed. They looked at each other and laughed too. “We are so hopeless” annie says between tears.

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I went into school, my hair curled and makeup on. My older sister forced me to put this shit on. I walk into school and I feel eyes around me. I feel uncomfortable now. How do popular people do this shit? Jayden is at my locker again, grinning. “Hey sunshine. Ur gleaming today” he said, shining those pearls in his mouth. I felt my insides flip. This. Can’t. Be. Happening. WHY DID I GET NERVOUS?! THIS IS JUST A REGULAR BOY WITH TOTALLY REGULAR FLOWING HAIR AND TOTALLY REGULAR DIMPLES WHEN HE SMILES AND- OH MY GOSH I AM TOTALLY INTO HIM. He peers at me with a playful smile dancing on his lips. “U, me, my house and a movie?” I scoffed. “In your dreams, loverboy!” I said starting to walk away. I feel a hand grab my waist. I look up to see Jayden bend down to my face, still smirking. “U sure? Here’s my number if u uh…change ur mind. He swaggered away leaving my my open in shock. “Fucking skank trying to steal my man” i hear bitchy voice whine. I swivel around to see Annabelle and her group of hyenas scowling in my direction. “No cus who the fuck does she think she is? She came back from summer and thinks she is all hot shot now?” One of her minions whispered but loudly so that I could hear. “If he’s ur man-“ i started “Then why aren’t you the one he invited to his house for a movie” I smiled sweetly. Gasps fills the halls. “SHUT THE FUCK UP, HE DOES NOT WANT U U LOSER, BIG HEADED, BUCK TEETHED, FUGLY, FLAT ASSED BITCH” That one stung. Ofc I knew that I changed over the summer but her words really felt real. Had I even changed or was I just imagining things. My eyes stung with tears but I just sucked it up and giggled “And with all that, he chose to invite me…and not u” That struck a nerve. Annabelle charged towards me, her sharp manicured nails stretched out like a cat about to attack. Just then a voice boomed “STOP” people turned. It was Jayden. He was furious, stomping over to Annabelle and her whores. “What the FUCK do you think ur doing?” He yelled, spit spraying on her face. Annabelle was dumbfounded. She never thought that anyone would dare to raise their voice at her, especially not Jayden. “B-but” she stuttered. “Get the fuck away from her! Stop embarrassing urself. Everyone knows u chase me but I don’t want you. Just get some respect for yourself for once.” He turned to me and said softly “Are you okay?” My heart skipped a beat. Me. Matilda. The girl only interested in books and games. Never got any attention from guys. So why is he so nice to me? I turned my head away, blushing. “I-I need to go to class” i stuttered and hurried away.

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I entered class, heart pounding, and sweat dripping from my forehead. “So sorry I was late I-“ “Don’t worry, Matilda, have a seat” I sat in my usual seat, next to Archie. I love Archie. He is such a sweet, nerdy guy. He has ginger, curly hair with freckles splattered around his face. A nice nose, with soft lips and big rectangular black glasses. He smiled as I sat down. “Hey! I saw that shit in the hallway. U good?” “I am okay, I have dealt with worse” I laughed. “Whatcha doing tomorrow? There is a band playing and I have two tickets. Pierce the veil, ur fav” I gushed. See this is why I liked Archie. He knows what I liked and we are super alike. When were in grade 8, he was this mini, clumsy kid who stammered and constantly pushed up his glasses that were forever drooping down his face. Idk what happened but I guess puberty got to him and now he is like TOTALLY hot. However his kind personality had never changed. I guess that is why he now has a harem of girls (even popular ones) in his wake, totally turned on by his good looks and nerdy hobbies. “So i’m thinking I pick u up at 5? Then we go to the concert and after we get some food and call it a night?” “HELL YEAH!” I exclaimed. “So turn your books to chapter-“

An hour later

The bells rings and students pool out of classrooms. Archie and I are still talking about plans when Annie and Millie come skipping over. “U bitch!” Annie laughs playfully. “So u challenged Annabelle and you lived to see the day! I thought you were left for dead” Millie jumps up and down “So are you going to say yes?” “What?” I asked, running my hand in my hair in a confused manner. “To Jayden’s date?” She said. “Uhhh what?” Archie asked. “Ohhhhhh yeah, Jayden asked if i was able to come over and watch a movie!” I laughed. “Can you believe it?” Archie’s face fell. “Oh, i did not think you guys were close like that.” He said. I looked at him. He looked like an abandoned puppy. My heart fell. “Hey what’s wrong? I mean we are not even close. Idk why he even asked me” I said, giggling awkwardly. Archie’s expression did not get better. “Imma see you around, Matilda. Sorry for bothering you about the concert.” He smiled wryly “It’s cool if you don’t wanna come” My face and tone softened, “Hey, ofc imma come with you, tomorrow. I mean idk Jayden like that. Why would i ditch plans with a cool friend like you” I said. He winced and the mention of “friend” “Uh yeah. Thanks. See you at 5, tomorrow” He said and walked away. “Soooooo what was that all about?” Annie questioned. “Oouuuuuu, I think someone likesss youuu!” Millie teased. My heart dropped. “No he doesn’t! I-I mean we have been friends for 7 years. Cmon i remember that little, goofy 11 year old. He definitely not have a crush on me I mean-“ “Girl open ur eyes.” Annie laughed. “He always buys you things, he asks how you are all the time, he makes plans for you too ONE TO ONE? And you think that he does not like you? Cmon!” My mind raced. All those hangouts. The gifts. How had I not even realised this before. “Why is this happening right now?!” I groaned, slapping a palm to my forehead. “That’s on you to deal with!” Annie chuckled “Cmon guys, I wanna dip. I can’t stay in this place any longer while i am hungry” Millie whined. We went to lunch while my mind looping around.