Cliché Beginnings

Nicolas Pearson

Josh has successfully fit in to our small group with Viv and Carol instantly falling in love with Josh and taking upon themselves to be his mother-figures. We have also been hanging out at the greenhouse together during free period. At the beginning it was just us two but Tommy has made sure to show his discontent when we show up together at his practice so we decided to let him join in whenever he can. Carol and Viv has yet to hang out with us tho, as they always seem to disappear every free period. Tommy said that they're just doing the 'dirty' somewhere inside the campus which effectively made Josh red in the face. It was during our little talk earlier at lunch that they decided to visit me in my workplace, much to Tommy's dismay seeing as he can't skip his football practice due to an upcoming game.

"Nic, did you bring your car today?" Viv asks as she takes a sip of her iced latte.

I shake my head, remembering my dilemma earlier before leaving for class. "I was too lazy to get on my car." Josh giggles, making the three of us involuntarily smile. "Why'd you ask?"

She shrugs. "Well, Tom said he's driving you home."

I raise an eyebrow questioningly. "Aren't the three of you going to stay?"

Carol chuckles while she forks the corner of the sliced chocolate cake. "Apparently, Josh lives at the other side of the town so it'll just be more convenient if we drive him home while Tom drives you since the cafe is on the way to his." She nods at herself finding her own explanation reasonable. "His words, not mine, by the way."

It didn't actually made any sense. Josh doesn't live at the other side of the town, no one does except the farmers who tend to their lands. If I remember correctly, he lives just near the school area which is why he hasn't learned how to drive. It is Tommy who lives the farthest from us all. I haven't really been to his house but I heard people say it's located at the west of the town, deserted from other houses and it's big enough to house one forth of the town's population. They were obviously exaggerating but I wouldn't be surprised if Tommy does live in a mansion, he looks like someone who's capable enough.

Anyway, I don't really see other reasons to reject him. I've only been in for about an hour but I can already feel the tiredness slip through my eyes. "Alright, I guess I'll just wait for him or his message in case he changes his mind."

"He wouldn't." Viv assures me with an overly acted thumbs up.

It's not until I clocked out that Tommy arrived at the cafe. He's wearing a different set of clothes from the ones he had earlier. I can't help but admire at how blessed he is with his looks. No wonder girls and boys have been at his feet; Tommy is the personification of perfection. He's platinum blond hair is now with different streaks of gold different from when I first met him, giving a glare of shine everytime the light hits it. His eyes are a mixture of green and blue and his body's built solid and strong. I'd give anything to be like him. I'm lanky compared to him and have light brown eyes that's so ordinary. Not to mention my hair, that's just plain black like a raven.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when Tommy approaches me and gives me a little shake. "The mother hens and chick?" I chuckle, it's the nickname he has recently given Viv, Carol and Josh.

"They left just awhile ago."

"Glad they passed the message. It'll be funny if you weren't here anymore." I want to ask him why he decided to drive me home even if Viv and Carol were here but I don't think it's appropriate seeing how delighted he is now. "Ready?" I nod at him and he leads me to his Jeep.

The drive back home is unbelievably quiet. It's almost as if we are two strangers who just happened to carpool. Tommy is so fixated on the road that he's not even glancing at me or asking random questions like he usually does. I don't know how else to put it but I hate it. Just the mere thought of Tommy and I becoming strangers hurt me that there is this unsettling feeling forming in my stomach. I'm not sure if he feels it but I know he's aware of how awkward it is right now.

"Tommy." I call out, making him jump and slightly swerve. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you."

He shakes his head, smiling slightly. "It's fine, sorry. Are you alright? Are you hungry?"

"No, I just want to talk to you."

He let the silence hang for a second before looking at me and giving me his usual grin. "I didn't notice I guess I'm actually tired from practice." He does look like it. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

I shrug, not really knowing why I wanted to talk to him in the first place. "Anything?"

He looks thoughtful for a moment then asks, "Why did you decide to move? The real reason?"

It's not the question I'm expecting. I bite my lip contemplating what or how to answer.

"You don't really have to answer that, sorry."

I shake my head, not wanting to end the conversation. "I really had a hard time back home. Not in my home, home I mean in the school."

"It's not home if it made you leave."

"Hmm, you're right."

"Your parents, aren't they going to follow you?"

"They're planning to move away too, but not here, just closer. Dad was reluctant to leave at the beginning but like you, home for them is where you'll feel at ease." The car stops. We have arrived in front of my apartment. Tommy goes down first then I follow. We stand in front of the main entrance, just looking at each other. "You know, I'm lucky that I got to pick this place. It's just been a few weeks but you made me feel as if this is home. I'm thankful, Tommy, really thankful."