There Once Was A Nerd Named Hroth

Ariana Blackwood

Coach Morrell

H English IV

September 28, 2012

A Beast In Disguise

There was once a nerd named Hroth. He was the smartest astrophysicist in the state of Wisconsin. Hroth could build a laser in record time while writing an essay on molecular compounds that could exist in extreme conditions. He was the best of the best, and he was going to prove it at the Annual National Science Expo. Every geek in the area was depending on his presentation to represent Wisconsin in a monumental way. However, Hroth had one very attractive problem, with a hot bod a cute smile. It was his unbelievably clingy and surprisingly hot girlfriend, Grendy. I know, crazy right? Who would ever name their child Grendy?

            All of her life Grendy was the epitome of beauty; but she was never attracted to the kind of men that would fit her looks and shallow insides. She wanted a man she could fix. Grendy wanted a man she could takeover, and make a slave to her everlasting demands. Unfortunately, Hroth fit the bill.

            At first, the Danes, the name of Hroth’s L.A.R.P team and co-workers, thought that this was the best thing to happen to Hroth in a long time. They thought he deserved a pretty girl for all the hard work he has been doing. Despite the look of it, Grendy began to turn into beast in sheep’s clothing. Late nights of research turned into late night of serving her. Hroth’s ambitions and preparations began to fade. The Danes sensed that the urgency of this issue was increasing as time went on. They realized they needed to take action. They needed a professional. They needed a man who had the capabilities of an astrophysicist god and the qualities of a womanizer. They needed someone so influential that simply their presence would whip Hroth back into the genius he was known for. They needed Beowulf.

            Beowulf was Wisconsin’s science representative four years ago but left for other opportunities that involved bareback polar bear riding and skydiving. He was the coolest guy ever and coincidently the smartest. The Danes’ plan was to bring Beowulf back to Wisconsin and get him to inspire Hroth to dump the blonde monster and get back to his destiny. So, one of the Danes, Ace, used his connections to get in contact with Beowulf and ran back to the Danes to tell them the good news. Not only did he get Beowulf to come back, but also he would be there in two days! He ran into the building’s lunchroom and arrived to the Danes’ usually table. They sat at the round table staring up at Ace looking concerned. That was normal, because usually whenever Ace was running, it was serious. He caught his breath and began to speak.

“You guys are never going to believe what I did!” Ace said panting from running through the halls.

“Oh lord, did you hack D.C.’s science district again?” said Ronald, the judgmental one of the group.

“No! Okay yes, but that’s not important. I just talked to Beowulf and he’s going to be here in two days!”

“There is no way,” Ronald commented.

“I did! I told him the whole situation and then he said he’d get here as fast as he could.”

“What made him so interested?” Unferth questioned.

“Well I guess he understands Hroth’s troubles. Turns out, he’s Grendy’s ex-boyfriend.”

“This might not end well,” Ronald stated as everyone stared wide-eyed.

            Two days later, Beowulf was met with Hroth at lunchtime. They sat at a large round table in a bland lunchroom in the science department building. It reeked of processed food but the others didn’t seem to mind. Beowulf; however, seemed to cringe his nose every other second. Hroth was ecstatic and asked how the Danes got Beowulf to come. Ace proceeded to admire his skills and connections as Hroth and Beowulf swapped theories and talked about past experiments.

“So, I hear you’re representing Wisconsin in the Science Expo this year,” stated Beowulf.

“Yeah, but I haven’t had the time to prepare for it,” replied Hroth.

“There is always time for science. What is holding you back?”

“Well, it’s my girlfriend. She has a lot of needs.”

“More like a choke collar and whip,” Ace pipes in.

“She sounds lovely. When shall I meet her?” asked Beowulf.

“She should get her any minute now,” replies Hroth.

As soon and that sentence was finished, Grendy was standing over Hroth, glaring at Beowulf. It resembled an old western stare. These two looked right at each as if they were facing their archenemies. Grendy looked so angry it was as if heat was radiating from her skin.

“Well, well, well, I thought you were riding polar bears in the arctic,” said Grendy through gritted teeth.

“Wait, you can do that?” Ace piped in again. Everyone ignored him as always.

“I heard you had another genius in your death grip. So, I ran to save the poor soul,” Beowulf said. He looked as if he could see right through her. They continued to stare each other down. Although, everyone could look in her face and see Grendy growing weak. Grendy looked like Beowulf had her by the neck.

“Uh, am I missing something here?” Hroth questions. Apparently, no one had thought to fill him in yet. So, he just sat there with a confusion filled face.

“Look, I don’t have much time so, I’m going to make this quick. Hroth, she doesn’t like you she just thinks you’re going to become rich, because of you accomplishments. In fact, in about a year she is going to stop showing any affection at all and just ask for money. I am lucky I left her when I did. If not, she would have stolen every cent I owned, and I would have never noticed. I compel you to drop the monster and become the person you were meant to be without this expensive weight,” Beowulf just stares at Hroth and waits for an answer like that was a simple question. He taps his fingers on the blue plastic table, as Hroth turns to stare at Grendy, who now looks so livid that her eyes are on fire.

“Fine, I’ll make it even simpler, Grendy. Leave this man to his work or I will call you mother. I know you don’t really like Hroth enough to go through this kind of trouble. I’ll even buy you a ticket the European Annual Science Expo. You will fare very well there.”

“Wait, What?!” Hroth seems to be panicking.

“Fine, I’ll leave. But I will be back! I just don’t quite feel like seeing my mother any time soon,” Grendy replies and with that, she leaves.

“That… was the most amazing thing I have ever seen” Ace whispers in shock.

“What is going on?!” Hroth is still having a conniption.

“Well, I think my work is done here boys. I shall send you all gifts from my next adventure. Hroth, good luck on your studies and make Wisconsin proud,” and with that, Beowulf slides out of his chair, grabs his things, and leaves the uneventful looking lunchroom.

“Well I think this is a happy ending,” Ronald snickers with a satisfied grin on his face. “Look Hroth, it’s going to take sometime but it’s going to be o..”

“Shut up, Ronald. I'm going to go work on my laser,” interrupts Hroth. He too slides out of his chair and sulks out of the lunchroom. Hroth’s going to be okay, but the sight of this lunch isn’t going to be a happy one for a while. Nevertheless, things return to normal and Hroth is back to being a genius. Although, do you think Hroth should have chosen his path on his own? Is loneliness really worth being a hero, even when it’s for the greater good?