All Chapters of Dare To Love The Chubby Nerd : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Clara’s POVSTERLING HEIGHTS ACADEMY – CAFETERIAThe warm milk dripped down my hoodie, soaking into the thick fabric. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.“Oops,” Sloane smirked. She held the empty milk carton like a trophy. “I thought that was the trash can. My bad, scholarship girl. You’re just so… big, it’s hard to tell where you end and the garbage begins.”The cafeteria exploded with laughter. Sterling Heights Academy had a way of turning humiliation into entertainment, and if the elites laughed, everyone laughed. It was the survival of the cruelest, and today I was the main event. I stared at my tray, trying to breathe through the humiliation.“Is it heavy?” I heard a cold voice ask.The room went silent as he spoke; it was Jaxson King. The hockey captain was looking right at me. "Is that your third tray, HULK?" he said. "Or are you pacing yourself today?”The hall roared again, louder this time. The nickname "HULK" felt like a physical slap every time he said it. He had

CLARA'S POVThe word hit me like a tornado. ‘Filled? What did she mean by filled?’ This couldn't be true; I needed this job. This was supposed to be the last lifeline; it was the medicine in my mother's veins. It was the roof over our heads."Maria, wait," Mrs. Gabe pleaded. "I spoke to Helena this afternoon. She said—""And I am speaking to you now!" Maria retorted, with a cold, sharp tone."The family decided on a professional from the city agency. We don't have time for charity cases." She said as she pulled the door shut."Please," Mrs. Gabe whispered, but it was too late."Maria? Who is at the door?" a soft voice called out from the hallway behind her.Maria stiffened; she didn't close the door, but she didn't open it further either. A woman appeared behind her in the doorway; her figure was elegant, and I could smell her rich vanilla scent from where I stood. As she approached, Maria opened the door wide. The lady turned to Mrs. Gabe. "Eleanor," she said calmly."Helena." Mrs.

He looked deep into my eyes, and I stared right back. Our eyes fixed on each other, and yet, the world did not end, though it felt like it should have.His mouth finally opened. "What the hell?" he roared. "Adene? Is this a joke? Are you stalking me now?""Jaxson." Maria appeared behind him, but her eyes moved straight to me, then to her watch. "You are two minutes late, Miss Adene.""I was here at six," I said. "I rang the bell at exactly—""Late for what?" Jaxson turned to Maria, looking utterly confused."Miss Adene is the new nanny, Master Jaxson. Mrs. Gabe's recommendation. Your mother approved her last night."Jaxson looked at Maria. "You're serious? Wait, you're really serious?""Yes, sir," Maria said.He looked back at me. I watched him try to process it; his eyes were suspicious. I could see the thousand questions lined up behind his eyes."Do you know each other?" Maria asked."No," I said before he could speak. I kept my voice even and looked directly at Maria. "We don't. Ca

Jaxson's POVThe team was being dismissed, but I stayed behind with some of the guys. I couldn't shake it off- that restless, crawling energy that had been under my skin since the game began. Since I looked up and saw Clara Adene sitting in the stands without an atom of fear, even when I told her she couldn't be here. I had lost the game in front of every school in the district because of this fat, disgusting Hulk. "Yo, King." Charles Vance called out as he dropped onto the bench beside me and began unlacing his skates. "Crazy game today. You played like straight garbage.""Shut up, Charles." I fired back."Just calling it." He leaned back with a wry smile. "If you're tired of being captain, just say the word. I'll take the letter off your jersey right now.""Keep dreaming, sucker." I winced and walked to the other side.We had been doing this since junior high; Charles Vance and Jaxson King. Two names that couldn't exist in the same room without competing for the air. His family had

CLARA’S POVI made it to the estate fifteen minutes late. I was shaking with fear, but Maya was with me, helping me haul my luggage through the side entrance. We tried to sneak toward the stairs, but a shadow blocked our path.Maria stood at the top of the stairs. "Failing orders on your first day is not a good look, Ms Adene.""I'm so sorry, ma'am. I went to get the rest of my things. There was traffic and...""Excuses are not welcome either. And who is this?" She pointed at Maya."This is my friend Maya. She is just helping me with my—.""Staff are not permitted to have guests.Leave now," she said, walking down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. Then she turned, "And Clara, Lily's waiting in her room; change quickly."Maya didn’t leave, not yet. We waited till Maria was out of sight, then continued. She followed me to my room, helping me shove my clothes into the wardrobe while I changed quickly. Then I ran to the nursery, my heart hammering beneath my ribs. "You’re late, and I’m