Cliché Beginnings

Thomas Weiss

The adrenaline has long passed and I just want nothing but to get out of my uniform and meet up with Nic and the others. It was amazing how pumped up I was when I saw Nic at the stands cheering for me. Unfortunately he wasn't wearing the shirt with my name like Viv, Carol and Josh but seeing him watch me with a large smile made up for it.

"You made a show out of that last goal, Weiss." Parker's grinning widely obviously still thrilled from winning the game. "You're a good player but what can I say? Having inspiration sure makes you a better one." I can't even hide my grin from his statement. His voice is also so loud that the others begin to holler. It's not a surprise that they know about Nic already. As Parker said, I play better when there's inspiration and that includes practices.

"Shut up, idiots. I'm leaving."

"What? You're not going to the after party?" Keith, one of my teammates asked. 

Parker slings his arms on Keith's shoulder and clicks his tongue. "Why are you even asking that Oscars? He's definitely going to another kind of after party. If you know what I mean." He winks at me suggestively making me throw a towel at him. "Hey!"

I shake my head at him and wave a goodbye. "Nice game! Enjoy your night fellas."

Nic, Viv, Carol and Josh were already at my car when I arrived at the parking lot. Nic was leaning at the driver's side and smiled widely when he saw me approaching while the others were busy talking about stuffs probably only them can understand. 

"You played well, Tommy." Isn't this such a relationship goal? Your boyfriend approaching you after the game by your car and saying you played well. The only thing missing is for him to reach his arms to me and give me a-

"Damn right, show-off!" Viv shouts and jumps on my back. "Aren't I a proud best friend?" I roll my eyes at her but let her hang on me anyway. 

Josh approaches me next then smiles widely while looking up at me. "Boy you were great and that buzzer beater! It wasn't my first time seeing you play but you were really great out there Tom!" I can't help it and let my hand fall to his head to ruffle his hair. This kid is cute. It's no wonder Viv and Carol and even Nic are suckers for him. 

Carol's more like Nic. She's normally chic and calm so she just gives me her usual 'nice work' nod and carry on watching the happenings in front of her. 

We went to my house this time to have a small celebration. Nic and Josh were pretty surprised to see my house. They somehow thought I actually lived in a mansion because of some rumors. My house is indeed bigger than the average but we're not that rich. If there's someone who'd be living in a mansion it's Carol. Her family's the richest in the town but she's not a snob so nobody really knows it except for Viv and I. 

My parents and sister were not around so we had the whole house to ourselves. Viv blasted some music and we had our own little party until we got tired and decided to just watch a movie. Viv and Carol settled for the love seat while Josh chose to sprawl at the carpet near the television and Nic at the bottom of the solo couch where I sat. His head was almost leaning on my legs so I found it hard to focus on the movie. It was so bad specially when he finally did only to find out he fell asleep. 

After I got to settle him at the guest room I found the other three asleep as well. I'm supposed to be the one who's tired but I guess they did so much cheering and eating that they just can't hold their tiredness. I took turns in bringing them to the guest room where an extra mattress was already laid down on the floor. I didn't really want Nic and Josh to sleep at the same bed together so I decided to fit him with Carol and Viv in the mattress instead. I can easily just bring Nic to my room while I sleep at the couch so Josh can sleep alone in the bed but I was afraid that he'll actually wake up this time so I just let it be. I'll just tell them I got tired of carrying everyone even if they wouldn't really believe it. 

The next day, we hit up the diner to have breakfast and spent the whole afternoon going around town. I drove them all home after surprising Nic and Josh yet again after finally seeing Carol's house. Josh was so shocked that Viv and Carol decided to surprise him more by taking him with them inside. Nic was supposed to go with them but he politely declined as he had work tonight leaving the two of us alone in the car. 

We didn't really talk about anything and instead let the radio speak for us. Normally I'd try to bring up random stuffs just to get a conversation going but I'm more contented with the fact that I am with him now and that I was able to surprise him yesterday with both my artwork and the game. Nic looked contented as well with the way he was humming with the music and looking out at the window with a small smile. He looked so serene that I just want this moment to linger so I can stop the car to bring out my phone and capture it.  Nic looked like a work of art with the sunset on his side and his eyes  being illuminated by the light. I'm falling for him more and more each moment and I'm afraid that just being with him like this wouldn't be enough. I'm afraid that I'm falling for him so hard, it'll all just end up in vain.

The weekend passed by in a flash. The day back at school was just a regular day, contrary to the rush of last week. There was no morning practice and I was able to sleep in. Nic and I spent the first class together and met up with everyone during lunch. The afternoon practice was cancelled as well to make way for the examinations so we went to the diner to have a small study session. It was just a normal day, with usual routines. We were all happily talking; Viv being her overly-active self, Josh being cheerful and all smiles, Nic and Carol being calm and observant and I being too caught up on looking at Nic. It was a typical school day until the doors of the diner slammed open and Nic stormed out leaving all of us frozen.