Nerd Girl (14 page)

I got home after the party and tried to call Amy a few times and sent her numerous texts to try and talk to her. I got no response. I acted like a dick and started doing shots of whiskey while I vainly waited for her to text or call me back. Riven did a few shots with me when he got home. That didn’t last long, though because he was still pissed at me. I got my hopes up when I heard someone knocking on the door and was disappointed when I opened it to a pissed off, Mitzi, as usual. My drunken fog just disregarded anything coming out of her mouth. She had a few shots with me and I think a while later I got sick. All I remember was red lace covered in my regurgitated liquor and Mitzi shrieking at me. I stumbled into the bathroom and proceeded to get sick some more and then passed out on the bathroom floor where I woke up this morning. My head was fucking pounding.

“What the fuck did you do?” Riven accuses me. I didn’t even hear him approach. I was too busy trying to remember last night’s details and watching Amy speed out of my life.

“What are you talking about, Riv?”

“Why is that bitch standing in our house in her underwear?” He thunders pointing at the door. “You have a great girl, someone who cares about you and you have to go and fuck it up. I should pound your stupid ass.”

“I’m still trying to figure shit out, Riv, Amy showed up and got the wrong idea.” My argument is weak, but it’s the simple truth.

“You are such an incredible idiot. I’d get the wrong idea if I walked in on that scene as well. She’s insecure enough, Derrick. What the hell is wrong with you?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Riven this pissed at me. He has every right to be; so does Amy. The best I can do right now is explain things to my friend and hope he helps me make things right with her. We head back into the house and find Mitzi sitting at the kitchen table icing her foot and eating a bagel that my girlfriend thoughtfully brought over for me. Riven just rolls his eyes and stomps out of the room grumbling. I can’t blame the guy. Mitzi certainly didn’t help matters much.

“So the little nerd girl is gone?” She says rolling her eyes. “Finally! If I had to listen to her annoying voice for one more, minute, I think I would have cut my ears off.” She takes another bite of her bagel and with a mouthful continues. “At least she brought us some breakfast.”

“Mitzi, I’m still in shock from what just happened. I need to give her some time to calm down and then try and explain things to her.” My mind is going a mile a minute right now and if I don’t speak to Amy soon, I’m going to lose my shit.

“Why do you need to explain anything to her? Darling, she’s not worth the effort. With her out of the way, we can go back to how things used to be.” Mitzi says gazing at me from beneath her eye lashes. It’s a flirty look that used to get to me. That is before Amy fell into my life.

“Mitzi, things will never be like that again. I’m in love with her. Clumsy, awkward, nerdy bookworm that she is. I’m hooked. I don’t want anyone else.” She stops mid chew and looks at me unbelievably.

“Are you joking? Is it the booze talking? Because I know I did not just hear you say that.” She swallows and continues her tirade. “Derrick, she’s not good enough and will only cause you embarrassment.”

“Mitzi, I’m dead serious. I need to go take a shower and come up with some plan to make things right with my girl. You and I tried something before; it’s not going to work this time.” I thought she and I had an understanding of our relationship. Strictly professional.

“Darling, just leave things as they are; she’s the one that flipped out, got the wrong idea, and broke up with you. See? Her fault.”

“Yeah, well you answering the door in my shirt and your underwear didn’t help matters any. By the way, where are your clothes?” I snap. That is a good question. One I need an answer to. I can just imagine what Amy was thinking. I’m in such deep shit right now.

“Ugh!! You don’t remember?” My answer is a head shake. “We did a few shots last night and you got sick. Most of it landed on my now destroyed, one of a kind, couture cocktail dress. So that you know, I’ll be taking the funds out of your paycheck to pay for it.”

“Fine, whatever, Mitz. Just finish your breakfast and get out of here. I’ve got some things to do. You know, as my agent, you’re supposed to help make my life easier, not fuck things up.” I’m all wound up and if she doesn’t leave, I might freak out on her. Make that will freak out on her. I can’t look at her right now. I need to sift through all these events and figure out if Mitzi is more at fault than what she eludes to. My guess would be yes, but I need to be sure.

“I’m serious, Derrick, just let it go.” She says.

“I know, but I can’t leave things as they are. I’ll see you later or something.” I rub my stinging nose and head upstairs to take a shower and formulate a plan to make things right with Amy. I have to make her believe me; nothing happened last night between me and Mitzi. Now if I could just get her to understand and listen, I might have a chance of winning her back. Think Derrick, think. Ugh!! Right now, I’ve got nothing.

Chapter #14

Nerd Girl Problem #114

Pity Party: Table for one, please.

I
manage to make it a few blocks from Derrick’s house before I have to pull over. The tears are streaming down my face, making it difficult to see the road. Pulling off to the side, I park my car and proceed to have my break down. I put on a good show at Derricks, pretending to be brave, while letting him hear my wrath. Deep down, my heart was shattering and my nerves were tighter than a telephone wire. I know it was just the adrenaline pumping through my system that made it possible for me to defend my honor. Mitzi should be happy now, she got what she wanted. Namely Derrick. How could I have been so stupid? This is real life, not some idiotic fairy tale where the dreams come true. I’ve escaped out of the land of delusion, finally. It’s almost laughable; the nerd and the hunk. It was never going to happen.

Yanking off my glasses, I hang my head on the steering wheel and cry my eyes out. I grab a tissue to wipe my nose and through my sniffling, I hear my phone ring with Layla’s signature ringtone. She’s the only one I’d talk to right now. I need my friend, so I grab the phone off the passenger seat and accept the call.

“Jenks, that you?” Her voice sounds concerned and just a little bit pissed off. My answer is a sniffle. “Ok, honey, Riven called me, he told me what happened.” Good old Riven sure doesn’t waste any time. I need to thank him next time I see him. Smart thinking on his part that I would need Layla right now. “Jenks, I’m about three seconds away from grabbing my brass knuckles and a sock full of change to use on that son of a bitch. He’s going to get a swing to the face and a brass knuckle to his junk the next time I see him.” I sniffle again. “Are you still driving? If you’re driving while this upset, I’m going to be a tad bit displeased with you.”

“No, I’m pulled over a few blocks away from the guy’s house.” I grab another tissue and gently wipe my eyes and blow my nose. “How could he do that to me, Layla? I thought we had something special. I feel so stupid.”

“Don’t you dare insult yourself. He’s the one that pursued you, not the other way around.”

“Why, Layla? Why give me that bracelet? Those beads were each supposed to mean something. I was supposed to mean something to him.”

“I don’t know, honey, but we’ll get to the bottom of this. If I ever see that bitch face, Mitzi, again, she better start running for the freaking hills.” Layla grumbles on and on, describing in vivid detail the things she’s plans on doing to Mitzi, should they ever come face to face again. “You need a hug, Jenks, come on over and we’ll figure this shit out. Can you drive ok? I can come get you if you can’t.”

“No, I’ve calmed down enough to drive. I wouldn’t leave my car here anyway, give me ten minutes and I’ll be over.”

“Alright, be careful; I’ll be waiting right here.” I’m so lucky to have a caring best friend like Layla. She’s always been there when I’ve needed her. Through thick and thin, through sick and sin. We are quite the pair; the nerd girl and the moxie girl.

“I’m on my way.” I hang up with Layla, turn on my car and crank up the stereo to drown out my thoughts. Loud music is always good for that. It’s only a short drive to Layla’s apartment.

She lives on the second floor of an old Victorian house. The house is a little rundown on the outside and could use a new coat of paint and some TLC. It’s what’s on the inside that makes this place worth the rent. Original stained glass windows, hardwood floors, crown molding, antique fixtures, and lights. It really is beautiful. Layla’s apartment has a bay window overlooking the front yard with a cushioned bench seat. It’s the perfect reading nook and the two of us have spent many lazy days relaxing there reading books and magazines. The driveway is for tenants only, so I park my car at the curb and scuffle up the sidewalk to the porch. I climb the narrow stairs to the second floor and before I can even raise my fist to knock, Layla wrenches the door open and wraps me in her arms. I can’t help it, I start to cry some more. My body is filled with tension and the stress of the day. She just holds me and lets me cry it out. I don’t even notice when she guides me inside and over to the couch. Together we sit, and I’m comforted by my friend.

After a good long cry, Layla and I spend time watching reruns of
The Big Bang Theory.
She’s a sweetheart for trying to cheer me up with some comedy. Who wouldn’t laugh at Sheldon? My cell phone was blowing up with text messages and calls for a long time. Text message, call, text message, call, repeat. I don’t want to listen to his explanation, so I just turn the stinking thing off. We’re on our third or fourth episode when Layla’s cell starts ringing. She grabs it off the coffee table and looks at the caller ID. Has Derrick started calling her now? Surprisingly, she answers the call.

“Hey, Cara,” Cara? Why would she be calling Layla? I sit quietly and listen to Layla’s side of the conversation. I’m surprised when Layla gives her the address here and says we’ll see her in a half hour. “Jenks, Cara’s coming over to hang out with us.” So I gathered.

“Why Layla? I’m not in the mood for company right now.” I grump. Layla looks at me with sympathetic eyes.

“She was concerned about you because of last night. She has no idea of what went down this morning.”

“Fine, fine. Whatever.” Looks like I’m going to have to change my reservation for pity party table for one to table for three. I fluff up one of the throw pillows and grab the chenille blanket off the back of the couch to snuggle up with. Layla leaves me to go make something to drink. She comes back shortly with a steaming cup of dirty chai for each of us. As we start sipping, there’s a knock on the door. Layla gives me an encouraging smile and goes to answer. Cara is on the other side, dressed in destroyed skinny jeans, an off the shoulder coral sweater, and white flip flops. She is a striking woman with her black hair and chocolate colored eyes. She smiles at Layla and then notices me peeking over the back of the couch.

“Oh, Amy, how are you doing?” She asks while flipping and flopping over to where I’m currently hiding.

“I’ve had better days, Cara.” She gives me a funny look and sits down on the couch next to me.

“Ok, what happened?” Her face is full of concern.

“Cara, I don’t want to talk about it.” Even just thinking about it, makes me want to cry again.

“Nuh uh, sweetie, spill the beans. What happened?” Cara crosses her arms over her chest and starts drumming her fingers on her arms. Layla sits next to me and I explain to Cara everything that happened last night, at the party and what I walked into this morning. Her facial expressions range from shock to pity to boiling rage. She even grumbles a few times under breath “that bitch” or “how could he be such a dick?” I’m wondering the same things, Cara. Both Cara and Layla get angry with me when I start to doubt my worth. They simply won’t have me insulting myself or bringing myself down. Having this help from my friends is a balm to my wounded heart.

“Thanks for being here for me girls. It’s just going to take a while for me to bounce back from this. I should have known better. The nerd never gets the hunk. Girls like Mitzi are made for guys like Derrick. They deserve each other.”

“I don’t think anyone deserves Mitzi, but if Derrick wants to think with his dick, then I hope they’re happy together,” Cara declares.

“Amen, sister!” Layla preaches. They’re just trying to make me feel better. I give each of them a pathetic smile and pull the throw blanket closer around me.

“You know, the best way to get back at Derrick would be to show him exactly what he just gave up. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new guy and can flaunt him in front of Derrick. Make him jealous.” Cara has a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. What the hell could she be plotting?

“What did you have in mind, Cara?” Layla questions, looking intrigued. I’m just nervous.

“Amy, you should enter the pole dancing competition that I’m running at the gym.”

“Um, I don’t think so. No, way!” That’s my final answer. Why would she even suggest something so ludicrous? I’m lucky I can make it through her class without hurting myself or someone else. The last thing I need is to enter some dumb contest and embarrass myself in front of hundreds of people instead of just a dozen. Worst idea ever!

“Why not? Amy, I’ll help you choreograph your routine and get you ready. You’ve come so far in the class and show great potential.”

“Cara, wouldn’t that be like cheating? If you helped me, that is?” It so would be cheating. She’s the one hosting the contest.

“Not at all, I’m your instructor; I taught you all the moves you know. So what if I give you private lessons.”

“Jenks, I think it’s a good idea. You’re already a lot better than some of the girls in the class.”

“That’s because we’re all beginners, Layla. Yeah, I can do the fireman better than you. Woohoo! Sign me up for a contest. Not!” I roll my bloodshot eyes at these two schemers. Me competing with all the advanced class girls, never going to happen. “Even if I considered this hair brained idea, why would I go to the gym where Derrick works, risking running into him or that bleach blonde bitch?”

“I’m his boss, I can tell you when he’s not there and have you come for private lessons or you can come to my place. I have a pole installed in my bedroom.” Wow! Cara is one kinky little lady. A pole in her bedroom, interesting. Both Layla and I look shocked at the information she just shared. “Amy, doing this. Competing. Will do wonders for your self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself,” Cara pleads with me to agree, “let him see what he just pissed away and show him he didn’t break you.”

“No, he didn’t break me, just my heart.” I blow my nose and readjust my glasses before I continue. “I’ll only agree to this on two conditions. One, I don’t want to see Derrick, and two, please don’t let me embarrass myself.”

“I promise,” Cara says pulling me in for a hug. I’m crushed by both of them when Layla joins in, making it a group hug. Call me crazy for letting them talk me into this.

The rest of the afternoon passes by in a blur of junk food, girl time, and a marathon of
The Big Bang Theory
. Cara has never heard of this hilarious show, but after one episode, she’s now a fan. I’m going to allow myself to hang with my friends and wallow in my heart break today. Tomorrow, when I wake up, I’ll be ready for a new outlook and attitude.

***Derrick***

Twelve hours, 24 voice messages, 48 text messages later and I still have yet to speak with Amy. I understand her wanting to avoid my calls and refusing to talk to me, but I don’t like it and keep trying. I attempted to go out and look for her earlier. I was going to drive to every place I knew of that she could be at. I didn’t care if I made a scene or appeared to be an obsessive jerk. The need to find her was overwhelming, and I just couldn’t sit around any longer. The only downside to my plan was Riven. He didn’t want to sit around all day and watch me wear out the carpet pacing back and forth, waiting her to respond. I could tell he was livid with me, and he kept looking at me like I was a piece of shit. He grabbed his car keys and left, taking my keys and my spare set with him, effectively stranding me here at home. When it dawned on me what that douche bag did, I found myself googling how to hot wire a car. I was that desperate.

After shorting out my instrument panel, I decided that wasn’t such a good idea. Who the hell knows what I just did to my car? It’ll be just my luck that I fucked up the brakes or some shit and will crash the stupid thing. I’m such an idiot. Why did I let her leave? I should have done everything in my power to stop her and make her listen. The whole scene was incriminating, but false. What was I going to say? “It’s not what it looks like,” or “nothing happened.” Two of the biggest clichés in history and Amy’s not an idiot. So here I sit, in the dark, alone, trying to figure out a way to get my girl back and feeling sorry for myself. I’m so absorbed in my thoughts, I almost don’t hear my phone ping with a new text message. I can’t open the thing quick enough and after punching in the wrong code, twice, it finally displays the message. For a second, I had gotten my hopes up that Amy finally sent me something, but it’s not her.

Cara:
Are you that much of a dumb shit? WTF is wrong with you?

Why on earth would Cara be sending me irate messages? Has she seen Amy? Talked to her? I need answers and don’t like her tone.

Derrick:
Explain your message!

Cara:
I’m not the one who has explaining to do. Tell me you didn’t sleep with that harpy.

She must have seen Amy or talked to Layla or Riven. How else would she know that information?

Derrick:
Honestly, I didn’t sleep with her. I got drunk and passed out. She must have come over while I was shit faced and stayed until morning. She says I puked on her dress.

Cara:
LOL serves her right! Amy isn’t in good shape, Derrick, and she’s not prepared to talk to you anytime soon.

Derrick:
Have you seen her? Where is she? I need to explain.

Cara:
Yes, Layla’s and she won’t want to hear it. Give her some time.

Derrick:
This is bullshit, Cara! I didn’t do anything wrong. If she won’t let me explain, how can I fix things?

All of these meddling people are screwing me over today: Mitzi, for fucking up and answering the door in her underwear; Riven, for taking my keys, stranding me home; and now Cara. I’m probably going to have to move to another state once Layla starts in on me. I feel like I’m on trial and am guilty until I prove my innocence. If I weren't in love with this silly girl, I’d say fuck it all and just give up.

Cara:
Put yourself in her shoes, Derrick. Leave her alone, maybe when she’s ready, she’ll answer you.

Derrick:
Yeah, easier said than done. It’s not your heart breaking right now.