THE NERD AND THE SUPERFAN

“Holy shit! My baby just broke a Guinness World Record again” Ava screamed.

Gemma rolled her eyes for the 100th time that minute. Her eyes were about to fall off.

“Tone it down, girl. I have an exam next week” Gemma scolded her friend harshly.

“Chill out, Einstein, no one is going to ever beat your record for the smartest dork” Ava said, waving off an angry Gemma.

“Can you imagine making 1.3 billion dollars in 6 months? He is indeed the greatest of all time” Ava shrieked loudly.

Gemma was tired. All she asked for was a peaceful night to study, and she seemed like she was getting the opposite.

“I really despise you right now” Gemma groaned.

“I know, and I don't give a fuck, it's Kayden we are talking about here” Ava snapped back.

“You mean you because I don't care about your Kay.....whatever now please shut the fuck up and let me read” Gemma shouted at Ava, finally looking at the ginger haired goddess who seemed to have an undying crush on a famous pop star she knows nothing about.

“You mean bitch” Ava said to Gemma before leaving the room and slamming the door.

“Finally!” Gemma groaned in peace as she buried her nose back in her books.

She was writing her third year report. It is a big deal to her because she needs to come out with the very best result and get a good job and help her father clear up his debts.

Gemma believed the only way to help him I'd to work hard on the only thing she knows how to do. Read.

All her life, she has been a social outcast, other kids had always made fun of her because she knew nothing about cartoons and other kids programs.

She got her first job at the age of nine, cleaning the tables and counters for her wicked uncle, who said he would only help her if she worked.

Gemma didn't want to feel useless, so she accepted the job and worked until she was 18 when she finally quit to attend college because she got a scholarship.

Since everything about the school was being sponsored, she gave her dad her saving to help clear up his debt, but her gullible father invested it in a business that he was scammed, putting his family in a bigger debt.

Gosh! She hated her father, but could not hate him totally. He just had a problem, and he wasn't a bad father or husband yet.

With so many Burdens on her shoulders, Gemma could not live like the other kids. She was unable to do things like having a crush, or going to prom, or go clubbing with friends because she had no time.

Hence, she became an outcast, in a prestigious university because she stood out from the rest. With worn out shoes, bag, clothes, and everything about her. She even did not have the time to brush her hair. Hence, she was called Ragy-Stone because the meaning of her name is Precious Stone.

The bullying got so bad that Ava had to stand up for her. Ava was the school's queen bee, the untouchable princess, as her father is a multi-millionaire.

Ava was the one who helped Gemma with her school life. Gemma loved bagy clothes and Ava respected her wishes by changing her wardrobe from worn-out clothes, she changed her shoes. She only had two anyway. And bought her 7 different bags.

Gemma knew she owed Ava a lot and promised to repay her when she hits big. Ava was the true definition of the quote" All you need is a good friend in life to help you get through hard times."

Ava came back into the room with cans of Pringles, Gemma's favourite snack.

“Here you go” Ava said, stretching a can to her

“Thank you” Gemma said with her eyes glistening with joy.

“Seems like you are in a bad mood today, what happened?” Ava asked.

“My mom called me, she said my dad took out her saving to gamble, and she wants to divorce him” Gemma said, sighing tiredly.

“Your father is a real nut job, no offense” Ava said to Gemma.

“No offence taken.” Gemma sighed.

Ava finally saw Gemma clearly. Her green eyes were dull, like they had no life in it. Her eyes were swollen due to stress and sleepless nights, her hands, and palms covered with bruises, probably from working, her hair was a mess like a bird had a nest on her head. The only thing that was normal was her body weight. She wasn't thin because Ava made sure she had her fed properly. But somehow, in a miraculous way, she remained impeccable.

Ava knows pretty girls when she sees one, and Gemma was the real definition of beauty. She is so beautiful that she puts her to shame, and Ava Has always been confident about her beauty.

The real reason why the rich kids bullied Gemma was because they were jealous that even in rags she put supermodels to shame.

“I'll listen to your rant about that heart throb of yours. I need a break after all” Gemma said, snapping Ava from her train of thoughts.

“Really?” Ava asked happily.

Ava's reactions never cease to amaze Gemma. Just because she agreed to listen to her rant on why she loves her favourite superstar, she's smiling like she passed her examinations with flying colours.

Rich people indeed have no real life problems. They are just in their own world. Gemma had concluded so many times.

“Kayden Kings is a 23-year-old from New Lando. He became a music sensation at the age of 16, after realising his first hit song "dream" which amassed over 28million streams on the first day, making him the most streamed artist with a debut song and since then, he has been on a roll. Hits after hit, breaking records here and there.” Ava paused to see Gemma, who was paying attention.

“You look interested,” Ava said to Gemma.

“I am, he sounds like he is extremely lucky” Gemma said.

“It's not luck, it's his hard work you know, all his fans know that he works extremely hard despite having billionaire parents.” Ava said.

“Wow, having parents that are billionaires must be tough, so touching ”Gemma snorted.

“Stop it, you bitch! His fans know he got kicked out by his parents because of his choice to become a musician instead of taking over the family business and everything his parents are doing right now is for show” Ava said seriously.

Gemma knew Ava was not joking because of how serious she is.

“That must have been tough, so why aren't y'all his loyal hounds not killing his parents” Gemma said.

“Gone are the days of childish fan behaviour, he hasn't said anything about it, so we pretend like we know nothing about it” Ava said.

“That's loyalty and maturity at its peak. To be able to unite so many people together is quite an impossible feat.” Gemma said, completely fascinated at the loyalty people have to a stranger who probably did not love them but uses them for money and fame.

But she was not going to say this out loud, or else she would be minced meat in a matter of seconds.

“The Kayden Kingdom is a very loyal and awesome fan base. We are never toxic, we do projects to help boost his image and just send a few death threats here and there to Kayden's haters” Ava ended.

“I am sorry, what?. Kayden's what? And death what?” Gemma questioned genuinely out of concern.

“His name is Kayden King, his fandom name is Kayden Kingdom. If someone asks us, we did say we are Kayden's Citizens and yes, don't mess with us, we are like a group of mercenaries ready to get a bloodbath for that man” Ava ended.

“Sheesh! Remind me never to say anything bad about this Kayden guy” Gemma said as she walked to her bed.

“You are probably one of the 1% of people in the world that does not know Kayden. As a Kay Citizen I am ashamed of myself that you are my best friend and roommate” Ava said, faking a sorrowful tone.

“Go to bed, oh mighty mercenary. Your Kayden isn't going to write your test coming up tomorrow, and Goddammit you are an adult girl” Gemma said, genuinely concerned.

“Go to bed if you do not want to die.” Ava said darkly.

“Yes mam.” Gemma responded almost immediately as she closed her eyes.

Gemma and Ava were pretty exhausted as they slept off in less than a minute, even though one has no idea of what made Ava so tired.