The Cheerleader and the Nerd

The Cheerleader and the Nerd is a prequel to the Owl house that is also available on Archive of Our Own. Dakota Evergreen (that blonde cheerleader with a pink stripe from episode 1) reflects on her High School life and her relationship with an eccentric nerdy Latina classmate.

## Chapter 1: Three Sonnets of Ordinary Beginnings

### **1**

We met in freshman year on the first day.

Both of us were heading to our first class.

I didn't see her running in the hallway.

We collided, knocking me on my ass.

She extended a hand and asked me sweet

"Sorry, I'll help you up. Hi my is Luz"

and then she helped me back onto my feet.

I was annoyed by her bizarre excuse.

"Haven't you seen any Shojo anime?

The main character's always running late.

I figured that this was the simplest way

to meet-cute, and find somebody to date"

"Okay I get it, you're just a dumbass"

I told her before walking into class.

### 2

Luz and I both tried out for cheerleading.

I got applause for a perfect backflip.

Then Luz caused students to run off screaming,

by showing them her freaky eyelid trick.

Luz made a taxidermy griffin beast.

After Luz flipped open the creature's beak;

a swarm of ugly black spiders released.

Once again Luz caused the students to freak

Luz and I both tried out for Juliet.

Once again Luz was outrageously strange.

Luz plunged a dagger (fork) into her chest,

and spilled guts (sausages) onto the stage.

Luz's antics got her repeatedly sent;

on down to see the principle's office.

### **3**

My first impression of Luz was that she,

was a total weirdo and a dumbass.

That opinion was not unique to me,

she was looked down on by the rest of class.

Most students agreed, Luz was a weirdo;

or that maybe her mind was simply sick.

Her friend count never rose above zero.

By contrast, I became popular quick.

I was always anxious to look flawless.

I mocked Luz for her lack of social grace.

Yet Luz was utterly unselfconscious.

I always tried to put her in her place.

I'm beautiful, and smart, and athletic.

I shouldn't envy someone so pathetic.

## Chapter 2: The Ballad of Mocking Luz's Intelligence

When it came to academics,

Luz struggled to keep pace.

I consistently got high grades

and rubbed it in Luz's face.

I loved how much this bothered her,

and that Luz felt ashamed.

"Are you stupid or just lazy?"

Luz would try to explain

"I have a disability

I have ADHD"

and I'd say "So you were just born

into stupidity?"

I'd laugh seeing how much Luz hurt

"Having ADHD

doesn't mean I can never succeed"

"So then you're just lazy?

That's what it sounds like your saying"

"No, that's not what I said"

and then I'd start giggling at Luz

getting so frustrated.

"It it because of genetic

inferiority?

Or is the reason you always

fail because your lazy?"

Not long after that Luz would start

to yell and start to cry.

A teacher asked "What's going on?"

and I’d shamelessly lie.

"I don't know she just started to

cry spontaneously'

I rolled my eyes "Just another

Luz eccentricity"

The teacher was deceived.

Luz was the crazy problem child;

so she was not believed.

Luz wasn't somebody the teachers

or faculty would miss.

Luz's accusations against me

were easy to dismiss.

This conversation wasn't confined

to just a single day.

This scene played over and over;

on different schooldays

This scene played over and over;

in small different ways.

This scene played over and over;

and if Luz walked away.

Then I would simply follow Luz;

not let her get away.

This scene played over and over

and it was fun to play.

This scene played over and over;

and end nearly the same.

This scene played over and over;

I'd always win this game.

## Chapter 3: Three Sonnets of Jealousy towards Luz

### 1

The way that my sister and I were raised;

was to view our lives as a giant test.

We should always be trying to earn praise;

and to earn praise, we need to be the best.

Our parents expected from sis, and me

nothing less than absolute perfection.

They taught us, nothing in this world is free;

especially not people's affection.

Mom and dad taught us this, so we'd succeed

in life; and to help us excel in school.

But I applied it to my other needs,

like getting my classmates to think I'm cool.

Although It certainly hasn't been easy,

for the most part it has paid off for me.

### 2

I put in the work to be popular;

in everything I try to be perfect.

Luz can get people talking about her;

even if she never wins their respect.

I'm beautiful, and smart, and athletic

I work hard on my mind, face, and body.

Although Luz Noceda is pathetic;

she easily steals the spotlight from me.

A good example is when we tried out

to be in Romeo and Juliet.

Luz was all anyone could talk about

My performance people seemed to forget.

I don't know why this bothers me so much.

They like me better, that should be enough.

### 3

From the very first time that I met Luz,

somewhere in the very back of my mind

part of me already thought she was cute.

That part of me only grew over time.

I can't stop thinking of how she's so cute.

Even without makeup Luz looks pretty.

Is that why I've been fixated on Luz?

Is what I feel for her just jealousy?

Adorableness came naturally

to Luz. I can't stop thinking of Luz's face.

With a little effort she'd surpass me,

and become the hottest girl in this place.

Nobody else cares that Luz is pretty,

so why do I feel so much jealousy?

## Chapter 4: Five Sonnets of Noah Smith

### Sonnet 1

Noah Smith always got pretty good grades;

but he never once scored higher than me.

I took a special joy in casting shade;

and watching Noah seethe in jealousy.

Noah Smith wasn't the strongest kid around;

there was no subject where he was the best.

But there was one comfort that Noah found;

thinking himself holier than the rest.

To cope with his feelings of jealousy;

Noah Smith constructed a narrative,

of his moral superiority

over the cooler, more popular kids.

So one day this holy goody two shoes;

decided to start spending time with Luz.

### Sonnet 2

Luz Noceda was friendless and lonely,

struggled in school and had ADHD.

Noah tutored and kept Luz company;

Noah said it was his Christian duty.

Noah claimed it was his Christian duty;

but I think it's less about Luz than me.

Noah's way of taking his revenge on me;

was him being nice to my enemy.

Having a friend brought such joy to Luz's face.

He kept her company and helped her grades.

I don't think he liked her in the first place.

His friendship with Luz was just a charade.

After Luz gets a good grade on a test,

she hugs Noah and tells him he's the best.

### Sonnet 3

He'd wince anytime Luz mentioned witchcraft;

or when she geeked out over fantasy.

Anytime Luz made physical contact

with him I'd feel a surge of jealousy.

But I don't get why I'm feeling jealous;

I don't like Noah and don't think he's hot.

So I should be thinking "I couldn't care less

about if Noah touches Luz or not."

It's not as though Noah welcomed her touch.

Though he endured her shows of affection;

he felt that Luz's PDA was too much

I think that Luz just wanted connection.

Luz Noceda seemed blind to all of this;

took at face value her friendship with Smith.

### Sonnet 4

Between Luz Noceda and Noah Smith

There was a funny similarity

Both of them relied on made up bullshit;

to escape from their sad reality.

Noah coped using Christianity,

his faith in a magic man in the sky

Luz escaped into YA Fantasy

and what Luz referred to as Isekai.

I overhear Noah Smith and his friend.

The topic they are discussing is Luz.

It's unpleasant the moment it begins;

the things they say and the language they use.

"How can you stand Luz enough to help her?"

I overhear Smith's friend ask about Luz

"Did disgust stop Jesus healing lepers"

That's a telling analogy to use

I know magic doesn't really exist,

and Noah and Luz are both idiots.

### Sonnet 5

Noah quit spending any time with Luz,

or helping her pass her classes in school.

Luz's lust for girls apparently excused;

Noah from following the Golden Rule.

Noah told everybody "Luz is gay,

and she is not even ashamed of it.

Of course I will still continue to pray

for her soul. Besides that I'm calling quits"

"So Luz, I heard from Noah you're a dyke.

Did you just want to join the cheer squad to,

peek in the locker room on girls you like?"

I asked even though I knew it wasn't true.

I know that I've seen Luz crushing on guys;

which means that Noah is just telling lies.

## Chapter 5: Five Sonnets of Gay Rumor Fallout

### Sonnet 1

"So Luz, I heard from Noah you're a dyke.

Did you just want to join the cheer squad to,

peek in the locker room on girls you like?"

I asked, though I didn't believe it was true.

I thought she'd nervously plead "I'm not gay".

True or not, I figured Luz would deny.

Luz got embarrassed and I heard her say

"Of course not I planned to cover my eyes"

"Hold on, Luz are you really a dyke?"

"Dakota please do not call me that word;

and why do you care what genders I like?"

"I asked you first, so give me an answer!

Seriously Luz which way do you swing?"

"Why do you care about this sort of thing?"

### Sonnet 2

I thought for sure Noah was telling lies.

I was so sure she's straight, but now I'm not.

For each time I've seen her crushing on guys;

I've seen her gush over girls being hot.

So far I have not cracked the mystery;

of whether Luz is gay or is she straight.

Luz's confused bout her sexuality,

can't decide which gender she wants to date.

By some Luz's queerness was objectified

But most boys avoided her anyway.

All in all, the way she's treated by guys,

hasn't yet changed in any meaningful way.

The fallout of Luz's sexuality,

among girls is a different story.

### Sonnet 3

Luz's weak nerd body was awful at sports,

but she still tried out for different teams.

Her doomed attempts were permitted of course.

Luz's alleged sexuality changed things.

Luz really liked physical contact;

Luz would sometimes hug people randomly.

This eccentric way that Noceda acts;

was now interpreted differently.

Inappropriate but still innocent,

is how the quirk was viewed until today,

like the behavior of a little kid.

This changed now that people thought Luz was gay.

Luz's alleged homosexuality,

made her suddenly look predatory.

### Sonnet 4

Patrica Gilmore, a girl from the squad

used to like Luz telling her she's pretty.

Trish agreed Luz was a loser and odd;

but Patrica held her tongue unlike me.

I'm pretty sure Luz hoped they'd become friends.

Was that ever a possibility?

Any chance of that were put to an end,

bu rumors of Luz's sexuality

Although I was asking Luz mockingly,

if she wanted to peek on girls she liked.

Trish and others took it seriously;

they were afraid to shower with a dyke.

"It would be like showering with a boy;

Luz's clearly trying some perverted ploy"

### Sonnet 5

I still have yet to crack the mystery;

I don't know which way Luz Noceda swings.

Neither can I answer what Luz asked me;

why do I care about this sort of thing?

It's not like I care about damnation

and nor like I believe in salvation,

nor confuse her actions for predation.

So why do I want this information?

I'm not causing her humiliation

nor adding to her alienation.

I'm only causing myself frustration

So why do I want this information?

Yet I can't stop my investigation;

to figure out Luz's orientation.

## Chapter 6; Four Sonnets of Dakota's Face Turn

### Sonnet 1

Noah Smith always got pretty good grades;

but he never once scored higher than me.

I took a special joy in casting shade;

and watching Noah seethe in jealousy.

Noah Smith wasn't the strongest kid around;

there was no subject where he was the best.

But there was one comfort that Noah found;

thinking himself holier than the rest.

To cope with his feelings of jealousy;

Noah Smith constructed a narrative,

of his moral superiority

over the cooler, more popular kids.

So one day this holy goody two shoes;

decided to start spending time with Luz.

### Sonnet 2

"Listen up Luzer" Patricia began

"You need to stop trying out for sports teams.

I've got my eyes on you, you understand.

Don't think I am oblivious to your schemes.

I know it's unlikely that you'll succeed,

but that's not a risk that I want to take.

In the unlikely event you succeed,

you'll have an accident. Your legs will break.

Don't try to give me that innocent act"

Patricia looked so nervous as she spoke;

as if Trish were bracing for an attack.

I was afraid she'd strike Luz unprovoked

I realized that I had to diffuse,

this situation before she hurt Luz.

### Sonnet 3

This isn't my area of expertise

I'm good at knocking people down a peg

I've never been good at keeping the peace.

But she threatened to break Noceda's legs.

Whenever I'd made fun of Luz's grades

I would make sure to do so quietly.

Trish is shouting like she's up on a stage;

and doing this where everyone can see.

"This is completely unnecessary,

Luz Noceda is still weak and artless;

Patricia will you please listen to me

You don't want to get in trouble for this."

You don't want to get in trouble for this.

Trust me, Luz Noceda is not worth it"

### Sonnet 4

“You don’t want to get in trouble for this.

Trust me, Luz Noceda is not worth it"

I say and Patricia Gilmore relents.

She takes a breath and unclenches her fist.

Most of the teachers here do not like Luz;

and don't care if she's afraid or upset.

Trish'd be punished for following them through;

but would Trish be punished for making threats?

As I lead Patricia Gilmore away,

For a brief moment I glance back at Luz

"Um thank you Dakota?" I hear her say

She sounds as grateful as she is confused.

I'll have to be clever to keep Luz safe

in a way that doesn't lose me any face.