The Losers Club

That same night, Alec struggles to get Nina and Kent off his mind. He wishes Nina liked him more than Kent. He decides to bury himself in a book to distract himself.

Alec wakes up earlier than usual the next morning, but he can’t get back to sleep. He goes downstairs and finds his dad drinking coffee and reading his iPad on the sunporch. Alec’s dad comments on having found Alec with the lights on and drool on his book. Alec thanks his dad for saving his place in the book. Alec’s dad asks if something is wrong, since Alec doesn’t usually fall asleep in books and wake up early on a Saturday.

Alec asks if his dad ever got bullied. His dad never got physically bullied but he was called names in high school—mainly a nerd. Alec explains that he’s getting called a bookworm, and Alec’s dad already knows it’s Kent’s doing. Alec argues that he is a bookworm, to which his father replies that he is a nerd. He suggests Alec not put so much weight into the words other people say.

Alec’s father makes the point that one shouldn’t feel shame in doing what they love and being who they are, but if it really bothers Alec, he can try to rebrand himself.