Introduction
I am the biggest nerd in this school, as they say. I take honor classes and am in charge of a book club.
Being a "nerd" I have a reputation for being bullied. I don't understand at all why students don't like me. But I suppose it has something to do with my intelligence. Other than that, students see me as an eyesore. At times, I see that the girls find me "cute" which the boys don't like. Of course, I have no interest in dating.
I started my freshman year of high school with Shisui, who was a senior. I was safe around him since Shisui was popular. He played basketball and was loved by both teachers and students. Shisui protected me from the bullies. Before he left high school, he had asked me to make friends. I've tried. But who would've thought the kids would become more aggressive each year. Without him, I was a target. I had my reading glasses broken, my backpack thrown away, pushed around, and locked in the girl's restroom. I don't cause fights at all. I'm not fond of getting into conflict. I don't do anything about it. I do let these kids push me around at times. It annoys me, but as long as they don't go too far, then it's okay. At least they get a laugh out of it. I see it as a way for them to get their acknowledgment.
This year has been pretty rough. The new students who arrive are freshmen. Some don't know how to fit in. Most are rude and fit in perfectly with the wrong groups. After all, they understand that picking on the nerds or outcasts will make them popular.
During my years at Konoha High School, I've been prepared. I put away my reading glasses when I don't need them. I've gotten a bookbag instead, and I watch where I'm going instead of having a book in my face. As a genius, I should know to be cautious and aware, but I have flaws and habits.
Teachers own the book club that I'm in charge of. They send students to my club to help them understand their book assignments. Teachers saw that I'm good with words but didn't see that I'm not very good with people. They've sent me some of their troubling students to help them comprehend what they're reading and help them raise their grades. I've been yelled at and cussed at because they find me boring. The book club has never been shut down because it's been successful due to me being very helpful, as they say.
What teachers don't know is that these students have threatened me. I'll write their book assignments for them to not "stalk me and beat me to death" as they say. Now you know the dark side of this club.
This year. I hope for the best of it. I could've graduated early, but I didn't want to. Not because I want to impress the university with my credits but because my brother Sasuke has joined me this year. The first day of high school can be nerve-wracking. I wanted to be there for my little brother. He doesn't have many friends and spends his time alone. I've also seen him get picked on by some kids calling him emo. Just like me, Sasuke doesn't care. But the difference between us is Sasuke's attitude towards the school. He's cold. But I'm here now to warm him up.
This is how this story goes.
Sasuke and I got ready in the morning. I drove him to school very early because that's when I opened my club. Since this is the first day, I've woken up very early since I am accustomed to opening the book club early. But today is the first day of high school and clubs aren't open until next week, but at least I have time to show Sasuke around.
As we got out of the car, Sasuke walked away. I was amused at that. I can't believe he's this eager to see the high school. "Sasuke, wait up. The school's not going anywhere," I joked, which I rarely do. But this moment should be memorable for my brother.
"Quit following me," Sasuke tells me.
"Don't you want me to show you around? It's a big school. It would be best if you didn't get lost," I slightly joked again.
Sasuke stops walking and turns around, looking at me. "I don't need you to baby me. I'll figure it out myself."
I see. He wants independence which I'll happily let him receive. "All right. If you need me, I'll be in the library," He walks off without saying anything. "See you, Sasuke," I say as I watch him go.
I start my day by picking out a book to read. I usually stay here and read until the bell rings, but today was special. Instead, I go outside and try looking for my brother. I find him by a hallway. Girls are all over him, and he seems to be annoyed. They're asking him for his social media and phone number. I see him grabbing their phones and giving away whatever he has to offer. I decided not to bother him at the moment. When all the girls were gone, I came up to him. "I take it you've found your classes?"
"Yeah."
I try not to frown at his tone. I keep my grin on. "Seems you didn't need me after all. That's what I expect from my smart little brother" I thought he liked my praise, but instead, he walked away as he gave me "hn," which he does when he's bothered. I figured he was stressed. That's probably it. The pressure of this school is getting to him. Thinking about your class size or hoping your teacher isn't mean is stressful. I decided to give him his space during the whole day. But I would sneak a glance at him from time to time.
By the end of the day, I found Sasuke. I walked with him since we were both going to the parking lot.
"Quit following me. I don't want people to see me with you," He tells me. I don't see a problem with us walking together. "Why's that?" I decided to ask him.
"Because it's embarrassing."
I am starting to get it now. So this is why he avoids me. "I apologize if I make you feel that way, Sasuke."
As I make it to my car, Sasuke seems cautious of the students. He waits until I get in first.
As I drive, I decided to ask him how his day went. He tells me it went fine. During the drive home, he told me Naruto talks too much and told me the girls are annoying. The conversation was short, but it was good to hear him.
At home, he's the same little brother that I adore. Talking about our day at the dinner table, asking questions, letting him borrow my comic books, everything's the same old.
The next day in the morning, I park my car at the high school and walk my way towards Sasuke's door to open it. He glares at me. "I don't need you to do that" I chuckled at his protest. He walks away from me. I let him have his way. By the end of the day, I waited in my car. If he felt embarrassed by us walking together, it would be appropriate if I stayed inside. He didn't show up. I got worried. I walk back into the school, and I don't see him. I called him but no answer. I then see him walking away from the school. I grab onto his arm. "Where do you think you're going?" He harshly pulled his arm away from my grip. "Leave me alone. I'm walking home. Can't you see that?"
"Not without my permission"
He rolled his eyes at me. "I asked Mom, and she said it was okay. Now, would you leave me"
"All right, Sasuke. Just next time, please let me know. I got worried"
"You don't need to worry about me," He walked away.
I see it now—the avoidance he gives me. By the next week, it just got worse. He'll walk in the mornings, which I was fine with since I had to open the club early. I'll admit, I will stalk him from time to time to check on him. I found that he made friends, which I was happy for.
One of my old teachers had found me in the library and asked me if I could help them move some textbooks to their class. Of course, I was willing to help out. I stack the big books and walk down the hallway toward the classroom. My arms got a bit sore, but I was almost there. I then tripped. If you know me, you would know that I am not clumsy. I didn't fall on my own. It felt like one of those moments in movies or shows where the nerdy kid gets tripped. The big textbooks fall, and everyone looks at me. Such a cliche.
"Watch where you're going, nerd!" Some jock says.
As I’m picking up the textbooks, I see Sasuke watching me. I couldn't help but smile. I thought he would help me pick them up, but instead, he smacks them away from me, causing them to fall again and everyone to laugh.
"Nerd," He calls me and walks past me.
Sasuke had grown to be a popular kid very quickly. He understood the environment. Which unfortunately led him to go a bit too far when picking on me.
During dinner, Mother saw my cracked phone.
"Itachi, how were you able to crack your phone?"
"...It fell out of my pocket."
"Your pants pocket?" She didn't sound upset but rather shocked and confused.
"No. I kept it in my sweater, and it fell out."
"I always thought you were gentle with phones. This is the first," she chuckles.
I can't tell her Sasuke had done it. It will make me look bad. I'm not mad. Just a bit hurt. I ended up dropping my phone as I was reading an email. I bump into Juugo, who is a very big guy, which has me dropping my phone. I try picking it up, but one of their friends snatches it away. I try reasoning with them, but they throw it on the ground. It didn't crack until Sasuke purposely stepped on it and walked away with his friends, who were a laughing mess.
My phone was still functional. It wasn't so bad that I needed a new one.
Sasuke had taken his popularity to a new level as weeks turned into months. I believe he's been influenced. He stopped hanging around Naruto and started to ignore Sakura.