Cliché Beginnings

Nicolas Pearson

I didn't know what came to me when I sent that message to Tommy last night. I will be lying if I say I didn't expect him to suddenly pop-up on the cafe after work to drive me home. I was kind of hoping for him to be there, not because I was tired and it was convenient but because I want to talk to him. He was not himself when we met yesterday at the field and I'm pretty sure he's hiding something. It's not as if he's entitled to tell me everything since we've just became friends but I have this feeling that he's only hiding it from me. Even Josh looks as if he knows something specially when he stopped me from surprising Tommy by showing up where he was.

I knew he was at the art room yesterday but I also knew he wasn't actually sleeping. I thought he was making a painting or an artwork of some sort so I wanted to go and see it but after Josh stopped me, we ended up meeting at the field and when I asked him what he was up to, he lied and told me he was sleeping so I'm pretty sure there's something else that he-they don't want me to see. I have this premonition that since Tommy is popular maybe he's doing the nasty in school with his boyfriend or girlfriend like Candy has been doing when we were still together but I didn't want to assume things indefinitely so I asked him what he was doing instead but judging by his reaction I guess it might really be the reason.

What I don't get is why I feel as if I've been bathing at the hot tub for too long and got stabbed at the back by an imaginary knife just by thinking about it. It shouldn't be surprising that Tommy has someone he likes or hangs out with from time to time. He is handsome and popular. Not to mention, he has great great body, far from my thin and lanky one. Perhaps it's just foreign to me since I've never actually seen him with someone since I've arrived here and with the way that he's been talking to me I thought that maybe―

"Why do you look as if the whole world suddenly turned against you?"

I try to smile but my thoughts are making it hard. "Hi Carol."

She raises an eyebrow. "O-K. Really Nic, what's the problem?"

"Nothing."

"NOPE. It's not nothing. You're obviously thinking of something not good."

"How can you tell?"

"Well because you look the exact opposite of Tommy right now."

"Tommy?"

She nods. "Yup. He's smiling so much it creeps me out."

"Oh." It might've been because of that woman or man. I don't really know. I should ask him. "That's great."

"Ok?"

She wanted to ask more but I was not in the mood to talk. It's annoying because I don't even know why I'm annoyed. It doesn't help that I don't get to see Josh today because he suddenly caught a flu and stayed at home and also Tommy because non-players are not allowed in the field so they can concentrate on practicing for the game.

I'm pretty sure I have successfully worried Carol as and since Viv suddenly sent me a "How are you?" message, she obviously already is as well. I don't want to be difficult, to act immature and well, selfish but I guess until I figure out why I'm feeling like this, there's no way I'll be the usual witty Nic.

The rest of the day passed by without my annoyance fading. I even got scolded at work because I've been mixing up cappuccinos and lattes. It could've been funny if I didn't repeat it six times. I also spent my night trying to focus on studying but failed miserably. I was too caught up thinking about what Tommy was hiding from me and if my assumptions were right, who was he with? Is it wrong for me to pry? Will I appear to be too nosy if I ask him? Why am I even bothered? Maybe he doesn't trust me yet and would think I'd judge him if I were to meet his girlfriend or boyfriend at that.

My phone lights up at my bed I immediately pull the blanket to reach it.

"Skip school tomorrow. We're visiting."

What? Why are they visiting at the middle of the week? "What kind of father tells his son to skip school, Dad?"

"My kind of father. Skip it or we're never giving you an allowance."

"You know that I have a part time job, right?"

"Oh."

"Then you do realize your apartment's lease is under my name, right?"

Ok, he got me at that. "Alright. Are you going to stay here in the apartment or are we going somewhere else?"

"Are you kidding? Of course, we'll go somewhere else. I don't even want to think of what a mess your apartment is. I might end up staying there longer to fix it."

And we don't really want that right now. "Haha. Alright."

"We'll call you tomorrow when we're near. Good night, love 'ya."

"Good night, Dad and Papa. Love you guys. See you tomorrow."

It's already lunchtime but they haven't messaged me besides telling me they're caught up with a client three hours ago. I was tempted to just go to school anyway but I know they'll still arrive no matter how late it will be. Dad and Papa never go back on their words. I have also been bombarded with messages from The Chipmunks and Josh but I was too lazy to give them each an explanation so I just sent a group message saying, 'Parents here. Going to skip. Be back tomorrow.' I was expecting Tommy to call me and ask further like he always do but I guess having expectations also mean getting disappointed.

After two more hours of waiting, I finally get a new message. "We're driving by your apartment. Get ready in 10."

"Got it."

As soon as they arrive in front of the apartment building, Dad jumps out from the car and runs to me to hug me, earning a distressed grunt from Papa. Fortunately, I have good balance so I caught him without the two of us falling to the ground. "Gosh, I missed you a lot sweet pea."

"Hey Dad."

He pulls away and let Papa have his turn. "You've grown some more kid."

I chuckle but holds him tighter. "It's only been a few months Papa."

"I know."

When he pulls away, he looks at Dad and then look at me at the same time. I'm not sure how but I think they can see my distress. Dad suddenly looks so worried but instead of asking me, he just smiles and leads us to the car. "Come on, I know you haven't eaten."

I nod and follow them, letting my worries float away for a moment.