Chapter 3

Trope Three: The Heroine Runs into the Hero…Literally

Bill’s POV

The next day at school I was tired.

“Didn’t get enough sleep?” Dennis asked.

“Yeah, there was something I needed to confirm, so I burned the midnight candle researching,” I replied.

“You’re quite hardworking,” he complimented. “Well if the history class was that hard to understand, you could have met me, I would have helped.”

“History class?”

“You said you were busy researching.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you mean the history class homework?”

“Heavens, no, I was talking about a romance novel.”

Dennis sighed, “I can’t believe you.”

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked.

“No, you didn’t, did you do the history assignment though?” He asked.

“Yeah, done and dusted,” I said as I folded my arms. “Finished it in class that same day. It was quite easy.”

“Lies, let me see,” he said, and I handed it over to him. He skimmed through it, “These are all right, you’re actually intelligent. Not what I expected.”

“Of course, I would be, every unpopular kid in a novel is supposed to be intelligent,” I said in a matter-of-fact manner.

“Well, in reality, some of us aren’t as intelligent as you may think,” he said, “So, what were you researching?”

“The steps necessary to claim my heroine,” I replied.

“Please, in normal human terms, explain,” he sighed.

“Okay, I’m trying to find love, just like my parents did,” I said. “When they told me how they met, it always sounded like a fairytale or something out of the novels. I want that.”

“Okay? So, the heroine?”

“The heroine is the one I want to go out with.”

“And that is?”

“Kate Andrews. We already raised a flag yesterday,” I replied.

“Wait, when?”

“When you were giving me a tour of being unpopular, I made eye contact with her,” I answered with a nod.

“Oi, Rodman, I’m running a little low on cash here,” Kevin said while interrupting us.

“Just take this and go,” Dennis handed him 10 bucks.

“Oh, uhm, I…” Kevin was surprised.

“Get going, Kevin,” Dennis said.

“Do you want my lunch money?” I asked with excitement.

“Eww, no,” he replied in disgust and left.

“Aww,” my shoulders dropped.

“You don’t have to feel bad about it, you’ll get your bully one day,” he consoled me. “Now, back to the main topic, eye contact doesn’t really mean anything. I can make eye contact with someone and feel nothing.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” I shook my head. “You always feel something when you look at someone. Indifference is also a feeling, you know?”

“Fine then, what did you feel? And how are you so sure it was a flag?” He crossed his arms.

“Have you ever heard of this trope? Love at first sight?” I asked, and he nodded. “I think that’s what I experienced. At first, I had the feeling she was going through a lot, but last evening sealed the deal and suspicion for me.”

“So, now what?”

“Now, she needs a Prince Charming disguised as a commoner to rescue her.”

“You may have not noticed this, but you have a high and mighty attitude that you pull off so flawlessly.”

“Yes, praise me more.”

“You, idiot, she’s not some damsel that needs saving,” Dennis sighed. “Okay, let’s assume she does need saving, how do you intend to do that?”

“Hmm… according to romance novels, judging by what happened yesterday, she’ll come to school late.”

“Okay?”

“You said she’s in track and field, right? So, there’s no practice Tuesdays and Thursdays, so she’ll be heading straight for class,” I continued. “History is the first class of the day, and we share the same class.”

“Oh, I see, she’ll be running late, and because of the homework that would be due at the beginning of class, she’ll actually be running.”

“And since she’ll be running, she would accidentally run into me.”

“And that accident would activate some sort of special effect that would make you look 5x more attractive that she would be at a loss for words.”

“And the rest would be smooth sailing,” I concluded. “I must say, Master Dennis, you are quite the deducer if I do say so myself. Didn’t know you were interested in romance novels.”

“I just happen to know it because it’s a tired trope slash cliché, and it doesn’t work in real life,” he sighed. “At most what you would get is a ‘Watch where you’re going, nerd!’ Trust me.”

Sounded like he was speaking out of the experience.

“Anyway, I’m going in for classes, it’s 6 minutes till they begin,” he informed. “Should I turn in your homework?”

“Yes, please.”

He nodded and left while I waited.

3 minutes till classes started, the hallways gradually thinned out, so I decided to walk toward the entrance.

And then… I saw her.

Running toward the door a few meters away.

I ran toward a corner and waited.

I heard the door open, followed by the sound of hurrying steps and a girl repeatedly saying, “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late.”

I waited until she was about to turn into the corner before walking out.

We collided.

You know… come to think of it, I’ve always thought that the fact that in novels they usually walk away unscathed worries me.

Sometimes, they drop what they are holding or they are both knocked backward.

I didn’t expect the possibility of what happened.

So, when she made the turn and we collided, I fell backward, and she fell on my body.

“Ouch…” she said, and then her eyes focused on me, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m…” I started to speak, but everything started looking blurry.

I passed out.

***

Kate’s POV

“Hold on, Kate, I’m not as fast as you are, you know?” Rosa called as she caught up with me.

She saw the new kid under me, passed out.

“What did you do?” she turned to me. “Don’t tell me you’re a bully now.”

“That’s the conclusion you made?” I asked.

“What other conclusion should I have made?” she asked.

“Kate, Rosa, let me copy your homework,” Hilda said as she walked over to us, and then her eyes settled on me and the new kid. “Why are you taking advantage of the new kid?”

“You see, that’s the normal conclusion,” I said to Rosa as I got up and faced Hilda. “I’m not taking advantage of him, I was late for classes, and we bumped into each other.”

“Yeah, and you got on him to give him CPR,” Hilda added.

“I did not, I just fell on him,” I defended.

“Yeah, yeah, tell that to the judge,” she said.

“Guys, what if he’s dead?” Rosa said as she poked him.

“We should probably take him to the infirmary,” I said.

“Probably? The kid passed out,” Rosa said.

“We? I still haven’t done my homework,” Hilda said.

The bells rang, signaling the start of classes for the day.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” I said, “Rosa, you and I carry him to the infirmary, Hilda, you turn in our homework and tell the teacher what happened.”

“Right,” they agreed.

We handed our homework to Hilda.

“You grab the legs, and I’ll grab the arms,” I said.

“No fair, you get to carry the lighter part, and I get the heavy side,” she complained.

“Fine, I’ll take the legs, let’s just get him out of here,” I said.

We lifted him and carried him to the infirmary.

It wasn’t easy though, I accidentally let go of his arms, and he fell with a thud.

“Did this guy offend you or something?” Rosa asked in disbelief. “It seems you want him to forget about some secret he wasn’t supposed to see.”

“It was an accident, I swear,” I said and lifted him again. “Come on, let’s go, we’re almost there.”

We kept him in one of the sick beds. The school nurse wasn’t there.

“One of us has to stay with him until the nurse comes,” I said.

“All right, good luck then,” Rosa said as she left.

“Sneaky coward,” I hissed.

“Hey, don’t blame me, I didn’t kill him, you did,” she said.

“It was by accident!”

She shut the door, causing me to sigh.

I looked at the boy who was lying still. He was still breathing.

If I had never come late, none of this would’ve happened.

“I just hope you’re okay,” I said to him as I took a seat.

I couldn’t help but think about what happened this morning.

“I’m sorry about last night, sweetie,” my dad said as he gave me breakfast.

“It’s okay, Dad,” I replied.

“I’m sure some other time we’ll have fun,” he smiled.

“I look forward to it,” I returned the smile.

Dad was still trying to make this work. Unlike…

“Pfft, yeah right,” my mom said, “Is it too much to ask to go somewhere a little more extra?”

“Mom, it was fine, I was actually enjoying yesterday,” I said.

“So what? You’re saying I ruined it?” she asked.

“I’m not saying-” I was about to defend, but Dad stopped me.

“She’s not saying that, Lilian, take it easy,” dad said.

“Why do I have to take it easy?” she yelled. “Why do you treat me like a nutcase?!”

“No one’s treating you like that,” I mumbled.

“What did you say?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I replied.

“Let it go, woman,” dad warned.

“Two on one, eh?” Mom scoffed and went upstairs.

Dad wiped his face with his palm.

I couldn’t eat anymore. I ran up to my room and cried.

“Are you okay?” A voice asked.

I looked at the bed, and the boy had woken up. He was rubbing the back of his head.

“I should be asking you that,” I said.

“Well, I didn’t raise the flag in the way I wanted,” he said as he rubbed his head. “What the hell happened to my head?”

“You fell and hit your head.”

“How many times?” he groaned in pain.

“Just once,” I lied. “Sorry, I bumped into you.”

“Wait, is this the infirmary?” he asked.

Jeez, how hard did I hit this guy?

“Yeah, it is,” I replied.

“And you carried me here?”

“Well, no, I had someone help me.”

“So, that’s basically… I raised a flag,” he said, and a satisfied grin started growing on his face.

“Are you sure you’re okay? The nurse will be here soon so she can check for a concussion,” I said.

He really looked like he had lost his mind. What did he mean by raising flags?

“I’m fine, honestly, but it’s you I’m worried about,” he said.

“Me? Why?” I asked. “If it’s about me bumping into you, then it was my fault.”

“Well, that, and you were crying?” he said.

What?

I touched my cheek and noticed the traces of tears. Did remembering what happened this morning cause me to cry presently?

I had let down my guard because I thought he was knocked out.

“Is it something you want to talk about?” he asked.

“I…I…” I lost my voice, and the tears started to fall.

He came down from the sick bed and walked over to me. His arms opened wide.

He hugged me without my permission, but I didn’t mind.

I just inhaled deeply and exhaled.

“All better?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I sighed.

“Good, smiling suits you more,” he said. “Sorry, was that cringe? I think it was cringe. God, it sounds better in the books.”

“You’re one weird guy,” I said as I wiped my tears. “What’s your name?”

“O’Hare. Bill O’Hare, unpopular kid and fan of all things romance novels,” he replied with a big grin.

“I’m Kate Andrews, track and field,” I said. “Heh, even your introduction is weird.”

“Why thank you, and pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said. “I think we should head to class.”

“No, you need to stay and have the nurse check on you first,” I said. “The classes can wait.”

“Well, okay, thank you for saving me, Kate Andrews,” he said and stretched his hand toward me. “See you next time?”

I shook his hand, “I guess I will.”

And that was the start of the many romantic clichés he and I endured.