Chapter 2: Nerdy Date

Second Year College, 2016

The bell rings signaling the end of class.

"Guys, don't forget your papers are due this Friday.  It's been the second time the submission is pushed back.  There will be no more extension after that," the professor said.

"Hi Trevy," Samantha greeted Trevor in a sweet tone.

As usual, Trevor gets thrilled every time Samantha comes closer and especially when she calls him "Trevy".  He's the typical uninteresting nerdy guy in campus and his story is as typical as he is – he's head over hills for Samantha, the it girl in school who also wants to establish the reputation of being beauty and brains that she tries to achieve by dominating the school's beauty contests and using others like Trevor to do her assignments and projects.

"Hi Sam," Trevor responded.  He's so mesmerized.

"Awww….so sweet of you to call me by my nickname.  Not everyone gets to call me that," she said.

"Really, Sssam?" he said in a trembling voice.  He feels so lucky like he won the lottery just by that.

"You heard Professor Yoon's announcement, right?" Samantha asked.  She shifted the topic abruptly.

"Yes.  The deadline of the papers is this Friday," he answered.

"Are you sure you'll be finished with my paper by Thursday night? I want to add some personal inputs to that," Samantha asked.

"Of course.  It will be ready by then," Trevor said to assure her.

"Ohh, you really are the best, Trevy! I don't know what to do without you," she continued to praise him.

"I know you've tons of things to do as well," he said.

"Yeah. I need to have my hair and nails treatments done before the concert.  Gosh, those two procedures take a lot of time," she said.

"The concert.  I'm really excited to come with you so I need to make sure this paper is off your plate immediately so we can enjoy," he said.

"Us? Enjoying the concert? Ahhh…of course, of course," she said.

Billie sits near Trevor.  He's organizing his books inside his bag and unintentionally hears the conversation.  He knows what's going on.

"Oh hi, Billie!" Samantha greeted him to start ending the conversation with Trevor.

"Hello, Samantha," Billie responded.

"What's with 'Samantha'?  Just call me 'Sam'," she said.

Billie smiled.  "I'm having lunch in the canteen. Are you guys staying here longer?" he asked the two.

"I'm going to lunch too. My friends are there already in the canteen," she said.

"How about you, Trevor.  C'mon, let's eat first," he asked him.

"Oh, Trevy needs a little more time.  He's rushing some papers. He can join a little later," she said.

Billie looked to Trevor.

"I'll catch up with you," Trevor said.

In the canteen, the girls are thrilled seeing Billie and Samantha entering together.

"Oh, new pair?" one girl asked.

"Hi, ladies," Billie politely greeted Samantha's friends.

"Are you going to watch the concert, Billie?" another friend of Samantha asked.

"Yes.  I'm coming with my friend," he said to close the topic. 

"Girlfriend?" Samantha asked.  She looks a little intrigued.

Billie just smiled. "Oh, I'll save this seat for Trevor.  He' coming shortly.  I'll go order," he said.

"He's a little snob, isn't he?" one of the girls asked.

Billie heard it.  He just shook his head.

"I think he's just playing mysterious but it's fine.  It suits him," Samantha said.

"How about you and Trevor?  I heard you're going to the concert together," her friend said.

All the other girls giggle.

"Sssshh…shut up. Others might hear you.  Of course, I'm not," she said.

While waiting for his turn to be served, Billie watches the girls as they laugh non-stop.  He can even see Samantha mimicking Trevor's mannerism.  He feels bad for him.

He calls Zofi on the phone.

"Hey, what are you doing Friday night?" he asked.

"Wow, what a random question," Zofi said.

"C'mon, are you free?" he asked.

"I have exams on Monday so I better study starting Friday night," she said.

"We can study on weekends. Come with me to this concert in our campus.  We have a mission," he said.

Zofi's eyes got wider upon hearing the word 'mission'.  They haven't had one recently.

"Okay, count me in," she said.

Come Thursday afternoon, Samantha's paper is ready.  Trevor made sure to finish earlier than what he promised.

"My goodness, this is so good! Thanks, Trevy!" Samantha said. 

"It's nothing.  Your topic is interesting and smart," Trevor said.

"I will read it tonight and add some of my inputs," she said.  What she actually means is she will study the paper so she will sound like as if she created it herself when asked about it.

"Excited about the concert?" Trevor asked with more confidence now.  He knows he's good shot to Samantha because of the favor.

"Ah yeah.  Great.  See you there," she answered with less enthusiasm. 

"What do you think I should wear.  Can you tell me or better come shop with me?" he asked. 

Samantha closed her eyes. 

"I told you the other day that I'd have my treatments today so I can't shop with you.  But if you wanted my advice, I'd recommend that you buy from any high end store inside the mall.  Anything above $100 is okay," she said.

"$100? That's a lot of money for an outfit," he said.

"Oh, if it's just me, I'm fine with anything you want to wear. Even this one you're wearing right now is no problem with me.  I'm all for simple things. However, other pretentious concert goers might make fun of you if you dressed simple and I don't like that to happen," she said.

Trevor is touched by Samantha's concern.

"Before I go, can I have our tickets?" she asked.

Trevor got one of the tickets he purchased for them.

"I mean both tickets," she said.

"But why?" he asked.

Samantha sighed. "Of course, I want to make sure that you will show up tomorrow.  I don't want to be stood up," she explained. 

"I won't do that to you," he said.

"Sorry but I have trust issues.  Just make sure to meet me at the entrance.  Let's text, okay?" she said.

The day of the concert comes.  Everyone can't wait for the bell to ring signaling the end of class.

Zofi waits at the gate of Billie's university. She looks every inch an it girl going to a concert.  She doesn't mind onlookers. 

"Fi!" Billie called her.

Zofi showed off her get up for a moment before Billie pulled her inside.

"You look stunning," he said.

"Thanks.  Where's your friend?" she said.

"He's there at the entrance of the auditorium," he said.

"Is that him?  Trevor?" Zofi asked.  She feels sad instantly for that lanky guy with boring haircut walking away from the venue.  His lack of confidence speaks volume in the way he carries himself.  His outfit looks pricey but does only a little to improve his overall look.

"Trevor!" Billie called him.

Trevor responded immediately.  It's the first time someone noticed and greeted him in the event.

"Where are you going?" Billie asked.

"I'm going home now," Trevor said.

"But why?  Are you not feeling okay?" Billie asked.

Trevor shook his head.

Billie and Zofi glanced at each other. 

"By the way…," Billie started to introduce Zofi to him.

"Hi, Trevor! I'm Zofi," Zofi quickly introduced herself interrupting Billie.

"Hi, Zofi," Trevor said.  He's obviously no longer in the mood for fun.

"Nice shirt!" Zofi said.  By now, it's too late to do a makeover so she tries to lift up his spirit by complimenting what's nice about him or on him.

"Thanks, Zofi.  I broke the bank for this outfit," Trevor said.

"Then why are you leaving?" she asked.

Trevor is shy to answer,

"Billie, would you mind getting us something to drink," she said so she could be alone with Trevor without him hinting they are doing something for him.

"Sure, I will.  I think my friend could use some refreshments," Billie said.

"Hey, Trevor.  Did you come here with a date?" she asked Trevor in a volume that's meant to be heard by others.

Trevor turned from sad to confused. 

Zofi acts like a flirty, carefree girl to draw attention to other concert goers.

"I thought I had a date with someone but she stood me up.  She got my ticket too and have her friend bring this ticket to me but it's in the bleacher not the near the stage," he said sounding like a loser.

"Oh, actually, it's perfect. I would thank her for that," she said.

Billie came back with refreshments.

"Billie, would you be kind to exchange your stage side seat with Trevor's? I think this guy's so fun to be with in this concert?" she asked.

Billie pretends to be surprised and sad that he's forced to give up his seat.

"Oh, you don't have to do that," Trevor said to Billie.

"It's settled.  Let's go inside.  Thanks, Billie for the drinks and the ticket.  See you later!" Zofi said while almost pulling Trevor inside the venue. 

Onlookers are both amazed that Trevor got a date for the concert and curious about Zofi who dumped Billie for him.

Billie smiled.  He knows their plan is working and Zofi is nailing it.

Inside the venue, Samantha couldn't believe when she saw Trevor enter the venue with Zofi and they sit much nearer to the stage.

During the concert, Zofi performs her mission even better.  She gets noticed by the vocalist.

"Hey, Ms. Fashionista, are you from this school?" the vocalist asked her from the stage.

They focus Zofi on the projector.  She looks cute on screen.

"Nope! But my date is," she answered.

"Who's the lucky guy?" the vocalist asked.

Zofi points to Trevor.  "His name is Trevor, sophomore, BS Management," she said.

"Lucky guy!" the vocalist said. 

The rest of the band acted like they were jealous while Trevor is being shown on the screen. 

Trevor's confidence fired up.  He smiled for the first time.

Samantha's face is blank.  She doesn't look anywhere while the crowd cheers for Trevor. 

"That's so nice of you, Zofi," Trevor said.

"It's nothing.  On Monday, Billie will do something.  Just go with the flow," she told him.

"What is it?" he asked.

Zofi just winked.

The following Monday, Billie pretends to be cold towards Trevor.

"Dude, are you mad at me or something?" Trevor asked him right after the class is dismissed.

Samantha and her friends heard Trevor asking Billie.  They stay in the classroom pretending to wait for the others to leave first.

"Well, don't mind me. I'm just not over the fact that Zofi set me aside for you in the concert," Billie said.

"Don't be jealous.  We're just friends.  She gave me some pointers to dress up and carry myself and I think it's working already. I'm meeting someone this afternoon," Trevor said.

"Well, good for us then.  Make sure it's not Zofi," Billie said.

"Definitely not her.  We can go on double date soon," Trevor suggested with excitement.

Samantha left the room immediately.

It's another mission accomplished for Billie and Zofi.

"How's he?" Zofi asked Billie about Trevor.

"Oh, he's over the moon. You should've see him today," he said.

"Actually, I'm more curious how that girl – Samantha is after the concert last Friday," she asked.

"Well, I don't pay much attention to her but for sure, she still regrets doing it to him," he said.

"Yeah.  Trevor's not bad at all.  He just needs some advice on how to look smart.  He's got the brains to begin with," she said.

"Hmm…are you liking him?" he asked.

"He's likeable but…oh my God, don't start.  I know where this is going," she said.

"Defensive?" he continued to tease her.

"Jealous? she countered.

"Why would I?" he asked.

"It's obvious," she said.

"I'm not," he said.

"Okay," she said.

The bickering goes on and on and on.