My Nerdy Alpha's True Masks

The next day arrived sooner than Indiana had hoped, she spent half the night nearly regretting the deal she’d made with Finnick.

Yet, here she was, feeling like a total fool.

The school library wasn't too crowded yet when Indiana pushed open the glass doors. Morning light streamed through the high windows, reflecting off the polished wood floors. And just as she expected, Finnick was already there.

He sat at the same table, now buried under an even larger stack of books than yesterday, with his laptop open. Pens were lined up in a row, as straight as a phalanx of soldiers.

Immaculate... Indiana noted silently, watching Finnick, who looked more like a robot than a human in her eyes.

Indiana stopped a few paces away, but he didn't look up. He was writing something rapidly, his brow furrowed in deep concentration.

What a prick, she thought.

She walked over and dropped her bag onto the chair across from him with a heavy thump.

Finnick stopped writing and slowly lifted his gaze. His bright blue eyes locked onto Indiana for a split second before returning to his screen.

"You’re three minutes late," he protested.

Indiana rolled her eyes. "Good morning to you too," she shot back sarcastically.

"I wasn't hired to be friendly," Finnick countered, making Indiana scoff again.

Indiana leaned back in her chair, every fiber of her being wanting to get up and walk away, but Mary’s ultimatum kept her anchored in her seat.

"You know, normal people usually start a conversation with 'hello.'"

Finnick kept typing. "Normal people also don't apply to Oxyord with math scores that pathetic," he retorted.

Indiana glared at him. "Okay. So we're moving on to personal attacks now?" She was ready for war; she didn't care about Mary’s ultimatum anymore. She was sure she could find another way without this arrogant, stiff-necked guy.

Finnick finally closed his laptop and slid a thick book toward her.

"Basic Mathematics."

Indiana looked at the book as if it were a mortal enemy. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

"You need a foundation before you can build anything. Strengthen the basics, then we move forward," Finnick commanded, tapping the book with his index finger.

Reluctantly, Indiana flipped open the first page with a clear air of skepticism. Finnick, meanwhile, was fighting a hard battle not to laugh at the stubborn girl in front of him.

A few seconds passed. Indiana was already groaning. "I hate this," she complained.

"That much is clear," Finnick replied flatly.

Indiana slammed the book shut. "Can't we start with something more... advanced? Come on, I’m not that bad. You're seriously underselling me here. I don't trust your judgment."

Finnick crossed his arms. "Your skills are exactly as basic as this book."

Indiana was about to snap back when—

"Indy!"

The voice shattered the tension like a stone through glass. Indiana turned instantly. Jax strolled into the library with a casual swagger, his bag slung over one shoulder. A wide grin spread across his face the moment he saw her.

"So this is where you’ve been."

Indiana let out a small sigh. "Jax, I’m busy—"

Jax was already standing behind her chair. His hand landed casually on her shoulder. "Studying?" he mocked, glancing at the book on the table. He let out a dry laugh. "Since when?"

Indiana nudged his stomach lightly. "Shut up."

Jax then glanced at Finnick for the first time since entering the library, and his expression shifted. "Ah." His voice went flat. "The nerd."

Finnick didn't react. He simply reopened his laptop. Indiana watched him closely, relieved to see no change in his expression or a sharp retort. She couldn't imagine the chaos if Finnick’s silver tongue started wagging now.

However, his silence acted as if Jax didn't even exist in the room. And that clearly grated on Jax.

He pulled an empty chair next to Indiana and sat down close, completely ignoring Finnick's presence as he wrapped an arm around Indiana's shoulder.

"So, you guys are studying together now?"

Indiana tried to push his arm off. "He’s my tutor."

"Seriously?" Jax laughed again. "Indy, you must be really desperate."

Indiana opened her mouth to argue, but something made her stop. Finnick was still silent, but his fingers, which had been flying across the keys, had stopped.

Indiana didn't know why she was watching him. Maybe because... the silence felt different now.

She stole a glance at Finnick. He was still staring at his screen, but she could see his jaw tightening. Just a fraction. If Indiana hadn't been paying close attention, she wouldn't have noticed it.

"Hey, Indy." Jax suddenly grabbed Indiana’s chin, forcing her face toward him. "Look at me when I’m talking to you."

Indiana swiped his hand away. "Don't be dramatic."

Jax laughed. "Just kidding," he lied.

But this time, he moved even closer. His hand slid down from her shoulder to her waist. Indiana stiffened instantly.

"Jax."

"What?"

"Don't."

Jax just smirked. Indiana glanced at Finnick again, who remained silent, seemingly indifferent to them.

See? Indiana thought. An NPC is still an NPC. But for some reason, she felt a wave of crushing disappointment—a feeling that surprised even her.

Jax leaned in close to Indiana. "So you really want to get into Oxyord?"

Indiana sighed. "Yeah."

"Why bother?" Jax commented, tapping the math book with his finger. "You're not the type to study," he added.

Indiana pulled the book away from his fingers. "I have my reasons."

Jax stared at her for a few seconds, then gave a thin smile. "Because of your dad?"

Indiana went rigid. "You know nothing. Don't bring him into this."

"Why not?" Jax’s tone turned sharper, more mocking. "Aren't you the one always saying you want to prove something to him?"

Indiana felt a tightening in her chest. She hated this conversation. And Jax knew it. Worse, he was doing this in front of Finnick—the last person she wanted knowing her reasons for studying.

Jax always knew which buttons to press to regain control, and Indiana cursed her big mouth for ever being stupid enough to tell Jax anything.

Jax grabbed Indiana's wrist. It wasn't overly hard, but it was enough to make her wince in discomfort.

"Let go."

"Calm down," Jax commanded, his voice sharp and demanding.

His grip tightened slightly. Indiana tried to pull her hand away. "Jax."

Across the table, Finnick closed his laptop. The sound was quiet, but enough to make Indiana look.

And that’s when she saw it.

Finnick’s eyes.

They weren't the flat, bright blue they usually were. Something in them was darker now, deeper. Indiana’s heart skipped a beat.

Finnick stood up slowly, his movements eerily calm. So calm that Jax hadn't even noticed yet. Jax was still holding Indiana’s hand, now leaning in to try and kiss her neck.

"You're so teasing—" Jax rasped, his voice thick.

Indiana tensed, revulsion washing over her.

Then, she saw something strange. Finnick's hand at his side—his fingernails looked slightly longer than before. An illusion, maybe? Indiana thought, unsure.

But Finnick’s entire posture had shifted. His shoulders were taut, his body leaning slightly forward. Like an animal holding itself back with every ounce of its strength.

Jax finally glanced at Finnick. "Oh?" He let out a dry laugh. "You're still here, I see."

Finnick didn't answer. His gaze dropped to Jax’s hand, which was still gripping Indiana’s wrist. Indiana suddenly felt the air in the room grow heavy and suffocating. Other students in the library began to steal glances their way.

Jax smirked. "What?" he scoffed at Finnick, intentionally pulling Indiana closer. "Jealous?"

Indiana let out a frustrated breath. "Jax, seriously—"

Jax’s grip suddenly turned rough, making Indiana wince. "Ah—that hurts."

Then, it happened fast.

Finnick took one step forward, causing his chair to screech against the floor. The sound echoed through the room, which had gone suddenly silent.

Indiana stared at him. There was something in Finnick’s face she had never seen before. A raw, dangerous instinct. His blue eyes were now completely dark.

Jax didn't catch it. He just mocked him further. "What are you gonna do, nerd boy?"

Finnick didn't answer, but his gaze never left Jax’s hand. When he spoke, his voice was low, bone-chilling, and felt like a heavy command.

"Let. Her. Go."

The three words fell like stones into still water, sending out massive ripples. The entire room seemed to freeze. Everyone knew those words were a battle cry; a confrontation was now unavoidable.

Somewhere in the back, someone dropped a book, but no one dared to react.

Indiana felt a strange shiver run down her spine. It wasn't because of Finnick's words—which she thought were suicidal—but because of the aura he was exuding.

For the first time, she felt it. A scream echoed in her mind: This man is not just a nerd!