Sandifer Bay High School, home of the War Hawks.

Sounds a bit overkill, too much like the typical teenage setting for drama and whatnot for some bad teen drama (read, The O.C and Degrassi) and it's even more so since it was the epitome of every typical high school that boasts of extravagance and social-climbing wannabes. The teachers will expect you to jump through hoops to get excellent grades and your fellow peers will want you to follow up on the latest trends (and God help you if you're not at the top of the food chain or at least try to follow up with what's going on).

But I was at my new school feeling self-conscious (despite my conservative Kenneth Cole outfit of dark colors) with my parents as Principal Andrew Dermott and his husband Phillip (the vice-principal) alongside their son. And damn it to hell and back if the Dermott masculine trio didn't belong in a fitness magazine because they could be candidates for an underwear catalog. "Mr. York, you're very lucky to have moved to Berkeley, California and be a part of our school," Principal Dermott (an older version of his son) intoned, giving me a small smile. "Your transcripts boast of promise and with extra hard work, you could be catching the eyes of any school that you wish."

"But what you'll need to work on are your social skills and your extracurricular activities," his husband (a striking blonde with slightly-tanned skin) added. "Despite your time on the swim team, it doesn't look like you're well-rounded. Any particular reason?"

I took a deep breath. "I was mainly focused on my grades and didn't felt like I belonged anywhere since my old school didn't have an art club or a fashion club," I explained. "Not only that, I mainly kept to myself unless I was with my circle of friends- the 'riff-raff' that consists of Valley Girls, Goths, religious kids, and those from the rough side of town. Surprisingly enough, we didn't fit the usual stereotypes and were often thought to be...well, we were grateful to have each other."

Principal Andrew hummed, though the look that he, his husband, and their son shared with my parents didn't look so amused.

"If I may say something," I asked, noticing that I needed to make things clear.

"By all means," Vice-Principal Phillip said.

"Look, you may think that I'm not being social enough and a bit of a cynic, but I'm just keepoing my heart guarded so I could keep myself from doing or saying anything foolish. If anything, I'm just trying to keep my nose clean and remain faceless in the crowd. But it doesn't mean that I don't want to try to branch out or at least be taken seriously. It's just that I don't feel like anyone can take me seriously."

"Because you don't take yourself seriously," Dad pointed out, giving me a hard stare. "Your mother and I didn't have that problem regarding your older sisters Khadijah and Khandi. They took to being social butterflies without delay. But you, Kyle, mainly stuck around with your grandparents and they instilled that negative and pessimistic mindset in you. Your mother and I think that you could be more than you limit yourself to be, but you gotta make the move to start being approachable. Learn to let loose and live a little."

I looked down, already dreading this morning when either Mom or Dad (if not both of them) reminded me how Khandi and Khadijah were every bit of socialites that I wasn't. It's not like I haven't tried, though. I did whatever they asked me to, but it was never enough since Mom and Dad either accused me of not trying hard enough trying too hard enough. It was either one extreme or another, and I just didn't want to play that game anymore. So I just...well, stuck around with people who understood me. And that opened another can of worms.

But I'll explain about that later. "But what if I do give it my all and you and Mom still demand more of me?" I asked. "What if-"

"Then you'll just have to truly prove to me and your father that you can be what's expected until you can do it gracefully," Mom interrupted.

Lovely parents, am I right?

"I think that we can help," Marcel, who remained quiet until now, spoke up. "My dads and I talked with my friends and their parents, and we can chip in to help Kyle come out of his shell and fit in with Sandifer Bay's social life. We'll pitch in as much as we can."

I bit back a retort, wanting to unleash my inner Bianca Del Rio to roast this self-righteous jackass until he was ready for a bear's  dinner.

"Capital idea," his father (the principal) chimed in. "We'll start out with getting Kyle signed up for the men's aquatics team- diving in particular. And from there we can..."

And for the next hour or so, I was looking at a senior year that didn't feature any personal time for myself and very little time for my fashion career. I was soon signed up for the aquatics team, the school yearbook committee, a spot as a contributing reporter for the school's newspaper, and even the Honors Society (the aquatics and Honors Society was expected since I did swim and I did have good grades). My weekends also included working at Rory's family cafe (the teen in question coming in with his aunt and uncle as the adults hired me on the spot to work as a dishwasher) while Lita and Diane (and their sisters) would make sure that I'd get a new wardrobe before the school year began. But the worst part? I was slated to spend my free period with Marcel for some "social-skill building" lessons to help me be ready and transition seamlessly into the Sandifer Bay student body.

"It's the principle of being a new kid with so much hidden potential," Mom insisted after everything was settled. "You spent too much time being with the nobodies of life and coddled by your grandparents. You need to find new challenges for your life. You can't go back to your old haunts. Let yourself make new friends, try new things, and experience new ideals. You know, loosen up and live life like a typical teenager."

"You may think that this is a bit too much for you, Kyle; but you gotta admit that this was long overdue," Dad said. "This is going to help you break down your walls and help you overcome that resentment you hold against me and your mother. We know that we compare you to your sisters a lot, but it's all to push you to do better and be better. You'll thank us all later."

As if, bitch. But I wisely kept that to myself.

"Hey, Kyle!" I heard Marcel's booming voice, making me turn around to see him walk up to me. "Listen, wanna hang around and maybe join me and the guys for some lunch after we check in with Coach?"

I turned to my parents, both of them nodding. "Might as well," I said. To my parents, "I'll see y'all later."

Let the good times roll on.

Kyle's parents are the typical overachievers who want their children to be twice as bad as them. And there's a lot of bad blood and resentment between Kyle and his parents (and maybe even his sisters). But we'll cover that base in the moments to come. Coming up next, it's another trip to the pizzeria as Marcel and his male friends let Kyle in on their plans for him for the school year. And let's just say that Kyle's going to be one unhappy camper if this goes on.

Dedication: AlcantaraRaymond. Song: "Perfect" by Simple Plan.

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!