Second First Chance

1. Plain

Vanilla. That is how David would describe himself. He had no outstanding characteristics, no unique traits. Christ, his name was even boring as hell! His parents couldn't have given him something to go on and name him Knox or Xander or some other non-traditional moniker that trendy parents do these days. For the first fifteen years of his life, David has been possibly the most obscure creature on the face of the earth. He was not tall or drastically short, he wasn't fat, dreadfully skinny, or built with muscle mass. Short brown hair and green eyes-nothing that makes anyone notice. Maybe that is what life is supposed to be like: blending in with society until there is only a massive drone of people marching along like cattle. Regardless, if this was the fate of the world, David had plenty of experience doing it.

It wasn't like he was trying to be a standout in the cliché world of high school, but he wasn't trying to be left alone either. If asked, 75% of the student body at Grisham High School would say "who?" when referencing David Clifton. Of the 25% remaining, there wouldn't be much to say because he just didn't do anything remarkable. He was not an athlete, but he did enjoy watching most sports. He was not musically gifted, so the band was out. Being a B+ student, he wasn't breaking academic records. Theater was out too because, if David couldn't make himself interesting, how the hell was he supposed to make a character entertaining. Vanilla-that's what David Clifton was.

One would think that without glaringly obvious attributes, a desire to be something he wasn't, or any adversaries to speak of, David would not have anything to worry about. Truth was, David did want to be recognized, to be known, at least be remembered. What was stopping him? Stella Rogers-that's what. In the ninth grade, David had a pretty good friend named Taylor Waters. Taylor was not the introvert David was, but he never really had to try to be noticed, either. Taylor was just liked and he reciprocated the same to everyone. David often wondered how they became friends and, after Taylor knew him, what made Taylor stick around. Whatever it was, it nearly crushed David that year. Although he didn't think anyone noticed, Taylor saw how much David liked Stella.

"Dude! Go for it." Taylor said one afternoon on the way to their buses.

"What are you talking about?" David replied.

"Come on, really? I think Mr. Mells could see how much you like Stella." He said referring to the old, nearly blind janitor who bitched about slightest messes students made.

David didn't know how to respond to Taylor's revelation. Was it really that obvious? He had planned on coming up with a diversionary tactic to get Taylor off the subject when Taylor kept his point going.

"I'm telling you, she knows man! And, she hasn't made it a point to tell you she isn't interested so, who knows? You might have a shot there, Romeo!" Taylor seemed so convincing when he put it out there. David still had his doubts, but was then willing to listen to what Taylor had to say. While he didn't have a girlfriend of his own, Taylor didn't seem to struggle to have girls wanting to talk to him. He was taller than David, but not by more than 2-3 inches, his physique was made for playing basketball and soccer. With blond curly hair, blue eyes and dimples you could plant seeds in, he was attractive to say the least. He never let on that he felt like he was anything special though. That did nothing but make him even more approachable.

Staring at Taylor like he held all the answers, David finally gave in and said, "Okay, how? I'm not good at that sort of thing, so what do I say? I'm too shy to just walk up and start a conversation. What about my look? Do you think she would like me like this? Should I do something different?" David's words flew out of his mouth without stopping now that he knew someone knew.