Hello.
I'd like to start off by introducing myself.
My name is Parker Lewis.
You've probably heard of me on the news by now, and for all the wrong reasons. I've been a Los Angeles resident all my life, living in California's most prestigious city. I would like to make a few things clear before we dive in. One, I'm a grade-A narcissist, so let's get that out of the way. Two, there's probably a high chance I'm CRAZY. And three, I couldn't care less what you think of me. Now that you've been informed, let's begin with the story.
Ah, yes. Growing up in the '90s was something. Us Los Angeles kids were living the dream. Rocking punk haircuts and pushing skateboards heavy as bricks. Those long summer nights will forever be remembered. We'd sit back on the roofs of our cars, watching the sunset over the horizon. We chased girls around at the beach, and stayed out late at night, until the police had to come pick us up because our parents were so concerned. Such nostalgic memories, every one of them.
By the time I was sixteen years old, I had already dated four girls...AKA the ALPHA of elementary school. Three of the relationships were official, and the last one was only somewhat of a partnership. In other words, I didn't have a hard time getting girls. In fact, it was very much the opposite. However, once I grew out of late childhood innocence, or in other words, hit puberty, things changed.
It all started on a cool morning in 1997. I was walking to school, my seventh-grade class, where I saw all the girls lined up. I was very used to receiving attention from them. I seemed to be their favourite boy to chase around on the playground, and I secretly loved it. But things were different that day. They didn't even seem phased by my presence. They were all in a circle, talking a mile a minute, as if they having a caffeine rush. I discreetly listened in on their conversation.
"Oh my God. I can't believe tonight is the premiere!"
"I know! I practically FAINTED when I saw him in the trailer!"
"He's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!"
"That actress is SO lucky!"
What the heck? I remember thinking to myself. Who are they talking about?
Their gossip went on until the bell rang, and even then, they couldn't seem to contain their excitement. I ended up asking my friend Dillon if he knew what was going on.
"It's the premiere tonight," he told me.
"Yes, so I've heard. But the premiere for what?"
"You don't know? The new movie coming out—Titanic."
No. Why hadn't I heard of this?
"Well, who are the girls talking about?" I asked.
He paused, before saying a name that would forever haunt me. "Leonardo DiCaprio."
"Leonardo Di-what?" I replied.
"Dicaprio. He's one of the main characters in the film. He's a real talent alright. Had an Oscar nomination a few years back. Should've won, too."
I was still confused. I couldn't get over the way those girls (the ones that usually flocked over me) spoke of him. It was like they were literally on crack they were so happy.