“Did I surprise you?” asked Avril casually.

Matt didn't answer right away. The way Avril spoke casually to him confused Matt. Was it that easy for Avril to say she liked him? Why was everyone on television showing different symptoms to Avril just now? Matt furrowed his brow unconsciously in response. Avril walked closer, watching Matt and then the girl's fingertips touched the boy's forehead with a wide smile.

“You better not do that often, Matty dear! You'll get wrinkles in no time” Avril joked.

Avril watched Matt. He blinked his eyes and tousled his hair in frustration. Avril knew how Matt felt. He was showing them clearly. Matt had rejected her several times. But, as Avril recalled, she had also explained it to him. Avril Marie Miller would not give up at all.

“What should I do with you?” Matt said giving up.

Avril looked at Matt. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” said Matt in surprise.

“Nothing!” continued Avril.

“Really nothing?” said Matt incredulously.

Avril laughed amusedly. “Does the meaning of 'nothing' change right this second? I'm not as smart as Johanna but I'm pretty sure the 'nothing' I just mentioned still means the same thing.”

Matt smiled a little. This girl knew how to be funny and annoying at the same time.
“You're annoying”

“I am sweet” Avril replied confidently.

Matt is now laughing. Avril Marie Miller was truly overconfident. Although in truth, Matt himself couldn't deny that one fact. Matt couldn't count how many times he had complimented sweet Avril in his subconscious.

“What does 'sucks' mean change this second? I'm not as smart as
Johanna but I'm pretty sure the 'sucks' I just mentioned, still has the same meaning” Matt said repeating Avril's words.

The girl paused. She adjusted the position of her glasses and looked at Matt with a displeased expression. Her cheeks puffed up slightly and Avril Marie Miller was still the sweetest girl in Matt's eyes even in her boring nerdy girl disguise. There were two things Avril couldn't change. Her infectious smile and even her sparkling eyes. Maybe that was also why Avril still looked cute today.

“What are you doing?” said Avril while crossing her arms in front of her chest. For a nerd, Avril was quite chatty.

“What?” asked Matt.

“You said it earlier. You're annoying Matty too” said Avril.

Matt smiled a little. “I am good-looking. At least, better than Evan.”

Avril's eyes widened at that moment. “You're making fun of me!” cried Avril.

Avril even stopped in the middle of the corridor. She didn't walk at all and Matt complied while enjoying Avril's expression. Come to think of it, this was the first time Matt had seen Avril upset—a few people passed by them. One of them even pushed Matt's shoulder and glared at them.

“No dating in the corridor! You freaks!” the guy said.

Avril's attention was distracted at that moment. Oh, my! What did Avril hear just now? Avril was frozen in place. Her attention was now focused on the girl who mocked them just now. Avril didn't even blink and Matt realized it was the first time Avril had ever been treated like that.

Come to think of it, this was the first time Matt was free to chat with Avril. They were even throwing jokes at each other in the corridor. Can you believe it? In the corridor! The corridor is the second creepiest place after the cafeteria according to Matt. Avril's disguise was clearly working. Matt couldn't understand Avril's mindset. But, the girl clearly couldn't be read by anyone. Avril was just being Avril. An incomprehensible girl to someone like Matt.

A man passed by again and this time Matt was again targeted. “Get out of the way you idiot, at least step aside, you weird couple!”

After saying that, the man deliberately bumped into Avril's shoulder. Matt was shocked and immediately grabbed Avril who was staggering. Matt managed to catch Avril and he quickly brought the girl over before she got any more bad treatment.

As soon as Matt caught Avril in his arms, he accidentally smelled the scent of shampoo emanating from Avril's head. Is this Avril's scent? Or is it her fake hair? Matt wasn't sure. But, Avril still hadn't said a word. She was still silent in Matt's hands and she didn't move at all.

“Are you okay, A?” Matt asked.

Hearing Matt's voice, Avril immediately moved. She immediately stood up straight while watching the man who pushed her earlier. Avril snorted. The man was a friendly man who called her every Wednesday afternoon after Avril's cheer practice. Avril didn't expect him to be quite so rude.

“It's your first time, isn't it?” Matt said.

Avril turned her head. This time, Matt saw Avril's confused face. Her eyes watched Matt. “I wanted to lie. But, yes, it is the first time.”

Matt smiled as he leaned against a nearby locker. He folded his arms across his chest and watched Avril. At that very moment, Avril felt the same as the first time she saw Matt. just his gaze alone, his eyes watching Avril, and even Matt's silence managed to make Avril feel the same reaction again. It was as if Avril could spend hours just watching Matt. Was it too much to say that she felt firecrackers rumbling in her chest?

“Welcome to the world of losers,” Matt said. “A place where you'll think disappearing is better than being noticed.”

Avril furrowed her brow. She wanted to argue with what Matt had just said but something held her back. Avril didn't know the world Matt had just described. All this time, the world revolved around Avril. Since she was a child. Avril was confident that she could fit in with anyone. But being treated like you're nothing isn't a good thing either.

“You're overreacting,” Avril said quietly.

Okay! Apparently, this was the first time Matt had ever seen Avril doubt her mind. The girl looked down and now averted her eyes from Matt. Anyone who saw them thought that these two were dating. Two weirdos flirting with each other in the summer heat.

Matt didn't like being the center of attention at all. Even though he got a few annoyed stares and even teasing from some people, he strangely didn't feel upset at all. Matt was busy thinking about Avril's feelings in front of him. After all, being teased alone with Avril didn't seem like a bad thing either. Well, at least allow Matt to get out of bounds today before he woke up and cursed at himself tonight.

“Trust me, we're all thinking the same thing,” Matt said.