The cheers of the Los Angeles Senior High School students filled Matt's ears. Once again Matt cursed the lab room that required him to pass through the field. Today the football club was sparring with Victory which meant Los Angeles Senior High School would be twice as crowded as before. Matt didn't like crowds. In fact, Matt is pretty sure he would take night classes if he could. Couldn't the school be quieter?

Damn! Matt cursed again. It felt like Matt was unlucky today. Not enough with the crowded school, now Matt had to try to avoid someone. As Matt quickened his pace, it was there that he bumped into the girl again. Matt didn't know why he reacted the way he did. All Matt knew was that the girl was Johanna's close friend. Nonetheless, he tried hard to avoid the girl. After all, being Johanna's close friend didn't mean being her friend either. Johanna and Matt also never got along at all.

A few times Matt saw her visiting Johanna. A few times Matt decided to walk away or stay away from her. The girl was like a crowded festival in the other hand Matt and the crowd would never be one. That's why Matt always avoided her as if he already knew that dealing with her was not a good thing.
Matt walked on the sidelines quickly. He was a little grateful that the crowd was covering him as he walked. However, between the bleachers, Matt could see what the girl was doing on the field. The girl was jumping up and down in encouragement. Oh, my goodness! Matt couldn't estimate how much energy the girl had in her body. But, the girl was shining on the field.

Today, she was wearing her cheers uniform. Los Angeles Senior High School has always been synonymous with the color red. Just like the cheerleaders' shirts. With her red cheerleading outfit, hair tied in a high ponytail, and a big red bow, the girl looked more like a beautiful doll. Unconsciously, Matt stopped his steps and looked at the girl. Her smile was bright and Matt was sure that the girl was really fit to be a cheerleader.

Seeing the girl's glow, Matt quickly put on his hoodie. It wasn't that Matt was overly confident that the girl would find him. It's just that Matt learned from experience. It was enough that once the girl managed to find him. Matt wouldn't let her find him again. Matt watched the toe of his shoe. Being in such proximity yesterday was not a good thing for Matt. After all, it was unlikely that anyone would pay attention to a strange, hoodie-clad man in broad daylight. Men like that were just losers. Unfortunately, that was the reality. Matt admitted that he was a loser.

Matt wasn't smart like his half-sister, Johanna. He wasn't very good at sports either. Matt couldn't attract girls. He even skipped the welcome party for the new students of Los Angeles Senior High School last year. In fact, even Johanna went to the party this year as an organizer. Matt is an ordinary boy. Oh, isn't that too good? Matt is almost transparent in his school. No one pays attention to Matthew Connor.

Coming out of his reverie, Matt quickened his pace again. What the hell? Why did Matt feel bad about being a loser? Along with Matt's footsteps, he was getting closer to the cheerleaders. The girl was again visible in the audience as if the world was only centered on her. As soon as Matt could see the girl's face, Matt couldn't lie to himself. He was mesmerized to see her jumping with her pom-poms and screaming. When her school scored, the girl smiled widely.

Matt quickened his pace again. It wasn't normal for him to pay attention to a girl. Especially since she was a popular girl in his school. Avril Marie Miller. Of course, Matt knew her name. Only just.

How could he not? Avril was everywhere. On Monday she would go to the choir club. On Tuesday she would go to the theater club. Wednesday, she'll be a cheerleader. Like today. Thursday you can hear her voice over the school radio during lunch. Only Friday she has no schedule. Every time she walked through the corridors, people would call out her name. If you go to the cafeteria, Avril's table is the most crowded and of course, everyone almost wants to be friends with Avril. Almost everyone!

Another factor that made Avril famous? She always played an important role wherever she was. Avril was the head cheerleader, the vice president of the choir, the lead in the theater club, and the girl who made the school radio come alive.

It was like the earth revolved around Avril. Yeah, it's a good thing Avril didn't win the Olympics too. Matt couldn't help but think that she was a genius too. Fortunately, the place was occupied by Johanna. Otherwise, Avril would have been the perfect girl that no one could achieve.

Johanna was also popular. Being friends with Avril, Johanna was also the center of attention. Unlike other nerds, Johanna could make herself look beautiful without losing her identity. She still wore glasses in her daily life. It's just that Johanna wears cool clothes. Not to mention her cynical way of speaking that would make anyone think twice about bothering Johanna. Yes, her half-sister is cool too. Matt admits it!

While Johanna is cynical, Avril is very friendly and sweet. Avril is almost friends with everyone. That's also why everyone doesn't think twice about saying hello to Avril. Another interesting fact? Avril remembers the names of everyone she meets. Previously, Matt had never paid attention to Avril. Never at all. Until he saw an up-close look at Avril Miller.

That day Matt had no idea that Avril was visiting. If he had known, he wouldn't have knocked on Johanna's door just to remind her it was her turn to cook. Seriously! How could he be so careless?

The way Avril questioned her that day was quite sweet. No wonder she was the girl Los Angeles Senior High School boys were chasing. But, Matt knew, someone like Avril would go well with someone equally popular. Maybe William the basketball captain? Or Ed the football captain? Zed the Prince Charming? Not some sweaty loser boy in a hoodie. So funny! It feels like Matt could be the butt of jokes all year round.

The whistle blows. The cheers in the back could be heard again. Looks like Los Angeles Senior High School won again. Matt looked back. At that moment, Matt saw the cheerleaders forming a pyramid with Avril at the top. They counted and threw Avril into the air. At that moment, Avril somersaulted and landed perfectly.
Matt sighed. Clearly, their worlds were different. Why was Matt busy thinking about that? He was walking again. Matt tried to get his mind off it. Thinking about some series on Netflix was pretty good too.

Unfortunately, the students scattered. Matt could hear loud laughter behind him. Oh my! Matt should have just waited in the lab. Why did he have to choose the field? It was Wednesday!

Some passed Matt and giggled at the sight of someone wearing a hoodie in the middle of the day. Some ignored him. One bumped into Matt and blamed him. What a piece of shit!
Matt quickened his pace. He tugged uncomfortably on the strap of his bag. At that moment, the world seemed to have come to an end. The sweet, friendly voice he used to hear on the radio, which he had accidentally heard live the day before, was now back in his eardrums.

Matt froze. This can't be happening, right? But a tug on his shoulder forced him to see reality. Avril Marie Miller, the beautiful doll, was smiling at him. Oh, no! How can Avril still look perfect after what she did earlier? Avril was a little sweaty but she still looked perfect.

"Right, right? I'm sure I wasn't wrong!" Avril said proudly. "Oh my! I called you so many times earlier!"

Now everyone was watching Matt. Oh, no! No! This is not what Matt wanted. But, Matt couldn't afford to ignore Avril. Matt couldn't chat comfortably either. What did Matt want? Since when did Matt become this unstable?
Some cheerleaders passed by. They called out to Avril and they asked her to change together. Avril gently declined. Some people called Avril back and again, she gave her smile. Matt just stood there stiffly watching Avril. Behold! Avril was indeed smiling at everyone.

"What a coincidence! I'm going to visit your house" Avril said cheerfully.

Matt looked around. The stares showered him again. This time they were staring curiously at the loser Avril was talking to. This is not good! After all, Matt knew where Avril was going with this.

"I have to go home," Matt finally said. Matt did have to turn Avril down.

Avril's eyes looked disappointed for a moment. Matt almost cursed himself for being such a jerk. Surprisingly, those eyes lit up again a second later.

"Yes! I have to meet Johanna soon too! Come on, you have to wait for me to change. This shirt is so hot!" Avril babbled.

Matt was just about to refuse when Avril led him to his locker. Matt should have already gone home. But, Avril had that power. She managed to drag Matt to accompany her. Avril didn't even have a problem with her holding a man's hand.
Unlike Avril, Matt noticed their hands. Oh, my gosh! This is the first time Matt has held hands with a girl. Note! She was the most popular girl in his school. Throughout the corridor, Matt had to accept the appraising stares of everyone who saw him or who greeted Avril. This was too much! Matt didn't think he could take all this attention well! Matt even felt like disappearing at this point.

"Don't disappear! I'm pretty desperate," Avril said while winking at him.

After saying that, Avril opened her locker and took out her change of clothes. After that, Avril waved her hand and walked towards the changing room leaving Matt still standing stiff as a tree.

Oh my, what was that? What was Avril doing just now? At that moment, Matt noticed Avril. Avril was right! That cheerleader outfit is hot! Oh, my gosh! What was Matt just thinking?