Chapter 2: Math Genius or Cheater?

The next day, Nick dragged himself to school with dark circles under his eyes, totally defeated. He looked like he’d just spent all night bingeing every episode of The Office—zero sleep, maximum misery.

He’d been up all night. The good news was, he’d regained control of his body. The bad news? It would only last two hours at a time—we had to take turns. No joke, it was like the world’s weirdest timeshare.

Because I wasn’t used to this body, my legs and torso moved like they belonged to different people. Seriously, it was like my body was built by committee. Normal people sway a little when they walk. Me? I looked like a zombie on roller skates—limbs everywhere, no rhythm, total disaster.

Nick’s face went from green to red to black as he cursed me out for half an hour. I sat on the floor, duck-style, not daring to make a sound. The floor was cold, but I didn’t dare move. If I could’ve disappeared into the tiles, I would’ve.

When he saw my pose, he got even angrier and cursed for another half hour. At this rate, I was gonna need therapy.

Nick, completely defeated: “Have you never walked before?”

I muttered, “I’m a ghost. So... probably not.”

He was stunned. You could practically hear his brain short-circuit.

In the middle of the night, he suddenly sat up and slapped himself hard. The sound echoed in the silent room.

“I deserve this!”

Woken by his slap, I was confused: “?”

After a sleepless night, his morning mood was worse than a ghost. Like, haunted house-level grumpy.

At the school gate, fate wasn’t on our side—we ran into Carter Reed, the main guy and Nick’s arch-nemesis. Carter couldn’t stand slackers like Nick. Total oil and water. Cats and dogs. You get the picture.

Nick: Ugh, I hate stuck-up people.

Carter’s looks and vibe stood out in any crowd—fair skin, natural bedroom eyes, a beauty mark at the corner of his right eye that made him look even more attractive in the sunlight. Yet he had this cold, distant energy, never warm to anyone, which only made him more irresistible to girls. Some guys try. Carter? He just is.

Carter glanced at Nick, then immediately looked away, as if he’d seen something dirty. Ouch.

I marveled quietly, “He’s from Room 202, right?”

Nick: “How’d you know? Is that in the book too?”

“No, it’s just—he’s ridiculously handsome.”

He went totally silent. My joke must’ve short-circuited his brain.

He replied icily, “What, you got a crush on him?”

I was baffled. “I just made an offhand comment. Seriously, is your brain heart-shaped or something?”

He went silent, then mumbled, almost shy, “Am I not as good-looking as him?”

Truth was, Nick was pretty handsome—sharp features, youthful vibe, chiseled face like it was sculpted by a master. He had this rebellious, dangerous aura—definitely a lone wolf. Oh, and he was 6’1” with abs for days. Like, superhero material.

I already thought of Nick as one of my own—we were literally sharing a body. So I casually reassured him, “Relax, you’re way better looking.”

He ignored me, but when we passed a mirror by the stairs, I noticed the tips of his ears were red. Classic. Ears totally gave him away.

Wow, tough guy on the outside, but underneath, just a bashful teenager.

As soon as we got to the classroom, he slumped over his desk and fell asleep. Guess this was just another Tuesday.

I yelled into the void of his mind, “Get up and study!”

Whoa, there was even an echo. It was like shouting into the Grand Canyon.

I annoyed him so much he shot up, making a huge racket with his desk and chair. Everyone stopped to stare. The math teacher just sighed, totally done with our nonsense.

“Nick Shepherd, what now?”

He scowled, radiating don’t-mess-with-me energy. If looks could kill? The teacher would be toast.

Right then, our two hours were up, and it was my turn to take control. My timing? Impeccable.

I want to answer it.

The whole class: ???

Nick was mortified: “Shut up, you’re ruining my reputation!”

Me: “......”

Could his reputation get any worse?

Chad Benson, his top lackey in the back row, nearly popped his eyes out. He tugged Nick’s sleeve. “Bro, are you possessed?”

Me: “......”

Nick: “......”

Sharp observation skills. Kid should be a detective.

The math teacher adjusted his glasses, voice stern. “Then tell us how to solve this problem.”

It was a trigonometry question—looked simple, but easy to screw up. Total trap question. You know, the kind that weeds out the careless.

After a few seconds, several solutions flashed through my mind. I felt the adrenaline kick in.

With the whole class watching, I confidently explained. I even used the board, underlining the tricky part, just for drama.

When I finished, the room went dead silent.

A rare smile flickered on the math teacher’s serious face. “Very good, that’s a clever solution. Everyone, let’s give Nick a hand.”

The class was still in shock over the overnight transformation from dead-last to math whiz. It was like watching a turtle win the Kentucky Derby.

Chad and the other guys in the back started clapping first, shouting, “Bro, you’re awesome!”

The applause spread, and the math teacher beamed at Nick. “Keep it up. Sit down.”

I gloated, “Feels good, right?”

Nick didn’t answer, but I could sense his mix of shame, secret pride, and happiness. He was so red, you could fry an egg on his cheeks.

I looked up and met Carter’s gaze. His eyes went unreadable. Looked away quick, like he’d seen something that rattled him.

I fanned the flames: “Nick, he’s challenging you!”

Nick took the bait and exploded. “Who does he think he is? Just because he’s a top student? If I tried, I’d crush him!”

“Great! Let’s challenge him after class—beat him on finals this semester!”

Nick suddenly played coy. I could practically see him sweating bullets.

I scoffed, “What, scared you’ll lose to Carter and embarrass yourself?”

He blustered, “I’m not scared! Bring it on!”

He totally took the bait. Hook, line, and sinker.

I walked up to Carter, blocking the light and casting a shadow like a villain making an entrance. If I had a mustache, I’d be twirling it.

He didn’t even look up, kept writing, totally ignoring me. Could I let that slide?

“Hey, Carter, dare to make a bet with me?”

The other students stopped horsing around, eyes gleaming with anticipation. No joke, the tension was thick enough to cut.

Still nothing. Guy was ice.

Nick fumed inside my head, nearly giving me a headache. I pressed on: “What, scared to answer?”

He finally looked up, face cold, clearly not taking Nick seriously. “My answer is silence.”

Me: “......”

Chad and the guys in the back lost it, banging on the desk. “Hey, bookworm, who do you think you’re talking to?”

I jumped, yanking him back. “Hey, chill—we’re not gangsters. Knock it off and say sorry.”

Chad looked shocked, eyes full of hurt. “Bro, you...”

Nick hesitated, then muttered, “Chad didn’t do anything wrong...”

I cut him off: “This is school. If you don’t correct him now, what happens when he gets in real trouble later? You’re the boss. Gotta keep your guys in line.”

Nick: “...Got it.”

Under pressure, he reluctantly apologized, then stormed out. The drama was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Carter put down his pen, frowning, eyes full of annoyance. “Nick Shepherd, what do you want?”

I squared up. “I’m here to challenge you. This semester, I’ll beat your grades.”

The class burst out laughing, like I’d told the world’s funniest joke. It echoed off the walls.

This chubby kid swaggered over, sneering. “Carter’s the top student in the whole grade. You, dead last, want to compete?”

I snorted. “What goes around comes around—don’t look down on the underdog.”

Nick was dying inside: “...Stop, please, I’m so embarrassed!”

The laughter only got louder.

The chubby kid was red-faced, mocking, “You think you’re some sort of chosen one?”

Nick: “......”

I smirked, “Who do you think you are? I don’t have time for you.”

He stopped laughing, his chubby face twisting. “Nick Shepherd, just because your family’s got money doesn’t mean you can act all high and mighty. Bet me if you’re so tough!”

Me: “Oh? What’s the bet?”

Chubby kid: “Whoever loses the finals has to drop out.” He looked cocky, sure he’d win.

Will—top ten, and Nick’s personal nemesis. Will outright targeted him. As the discipline rep for our class, his list of demerits was basically all Nick.

Nick scoffed, “Fine, I’ve had enough of him.”

I thought for a second: “You’re not just using this as an excuse to avoid competing with Carter, right?”

He answered with silence. Fair enough—Carter was number one, after all. That was a hellish challenge.

I agreed to Will’s bet. The other students looked at me with pity. Honestly, I felt like I’d just signed my own death warrant.

I grinned. “Just wait. I’ll blow everyone’s mind.”

Nick: “...Have you read too many chosen one novels?”

Carter’s deskmate asked excitedly who he thought would win. He paused, then said, “Boring.”

Nick and I fell silent. What now? Honestly, it felt like we were getting hazed.