Cliché Beginnings

Thomas Weiss

My hair is platinum blonde, making my blue almost green eyes stand out but I'm not that vain to actually spend more time appreciating my looks. I know I'm quite attractive thanks to the countless letters and Instagram messages I receive everyday but I'm not one to brag about it, really. I have simple choices of clothing ranging from a statement shirt to an overly-used hoodie and ripped jeans. I do own a couple of shoes but one can easily point out that the white, low-cut pair of sneakers is my favorite. I also know that I have quite a lot of admirers, men and women who are not afraid to voice it out every time I walk the school corridors or during football games for that matter. It was as if it's a natural thing for teenagers to brand the football quarterback as the most popular and most adored person in high school when all I do is play. I'm not even in it for the scholarship.

My interest lies more in art. I like doing sculptures. I'd choose it in a beat of a heart if it's to be put up against football. Thankfully, I am able to do both since our high school offers arts and literature alongside sports and sciences. It's no big deal to find a hot swimmer amongst us who also spends his time at the library reading literature classics. Even my bulky teammate Collins Royce does chemical research during his free time.

You see, that's how life should be, without anything defining the people; demanding that we should choose this or that because of certain reasons. We should be able to freely expose ourselves to the many possibilities our society can offer. I mean, it wouldn't hurt for a cheerleader to be smart too, right?

"You know, you should really stop daydreaming." That's my mom, Penelope Weiss, leaning on my bedroom door with her signature 'I knew it' smirk. For her short stature, she sure is feisty. If you meet her in the grocery store, you'd think she'll give you that kind smile and offer you her advice in choosing your milk but it's only her long and soft-looking black hair that's being deceiving. She'll instead give you a once over and get on with her task. Our neighbors call her 'Penny who hates Many' which literally translates to Penelope hates to deal with many people. "I'm pretty sure there's football practice today and you're five minutes away from being late."

I hate it when she's right. I can't say anything as a comeback. "I'll be out in a minute." She gave me one, last apprehensive look before deciding to move away from my door and walk towards Meredith, my sister's room to have her turn in today's waking up session.

"Good morning, son." My dad is unusually chirpy today, giving me the idea that he got laid last night. You see, cranky and Lucas Weiss go hand in hand. If you don't want to start your day in the wrong foot, you have to avoid dealing with him at all cost. It's only a point half out of a hundred chance that he'll greet you with a big smile whilst sipping a coffee like today.

"Good morning, dad. I'm going ahead."

"Knock 'em up good, kid!" Not the best words of wisdom but who cares? It's better than nothing.

I parked my Jeep at my designated parking lot in haste and ran without even making sure that I closed it properly because I'm already late as expected. I may be the star quarterback but the coach is the law of the field while practicing so it wasn't surprising that I'm now running laps instead of actually practicing. Not that I'm complaining. It's a Monday and everyone else is not just in the mood to do things on the first day of the week.

"Yo, Weiss. Late too?" Jeremy Brighton, our team's wide receiver. If there's someone who can beat my tardy record, it's him. He's that type of guy who'd spend his Sunday nights in a woman's bed rather than with his family. No, he's not a bad guy, just a player, a fatal player.

"Let me guess, Britney Halls?" I don't like to drop names but I heard she's his recent conquest.

"Damn right, bro! Those silky legs got me shaking like a mad man. She's a brilliant diamond, I tell you." I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion. What does he even mean by that? Silky Legs? Shaking like a mad mad? A brilliant diamond? Who even says those words? Sometimes I doubt Jeremy's intelligence for his lack of sensible vocabulary. He can't actually mean those, right? He's being a downright pervert and it unnerves me. "You should really stop saying that, man. You'll get arrested." Without waiting for his reaction, I ran faster, not wanting to deal with him anymore.

The practice ended a little bit later than usual. It turned out not only me and Jeremy decided to wake up late, there were two others who arrived after us and to say that coach was pissed is an understatement. Now, the hall is filled with students who are rather quirky for a Monday morning. What's with people being odd today? I'm hearing tens of gossips at the same time that I can't figure out which to listen to. Thankfully, Vivian Trent, also known as my best slash childhood friend came to my rescue and filled me with the morning news. "There's a new kid in town. 16, male and probably cute enough to date you."

I rolled my eyes at her. Not all cute guys are gay and not all gay person is eligible to date me. "I don't want a relationship right now, Viv. Sam was a disaster." As if it's not awful enough that I mentioned his name, Viv scrunches her nose in distaste. "Ugh, that person's name should never be told. Gosh, he might as well be a living nightmare. I don't even know why I introduced him to you. It might've been the eyes." I nodded. Yes, it definitely was the eyes. His brown eyes were so cute and round, you'd think he's an innocent angel. He's not. He's more of a wolf in a sheep's clothing. He's that character in the book who gets so attached and clingy, he'd make it a mission to give hell to your friends so he can have you for himself. If it wasn't for his mother getting relocated for work, I will still be experiencing such hell at this time of the day.

"The bell's ringing soon babe, see you at lunch. I'll take a picture of the new kid, in case I get to have a class with him today. Who knows, he might just be your type." She reached up to peck my cheek and literally modeled on her way towards the classroom.

I'm too tired to tune in with the lesson but the door opening with a loud bang kept me from nodding off to dreamland. Apparently, the new kid's in my literature class and apparently, he's a so nervous he wasn't able to open the door properly.