Within minutes of my unfortunate accident in the park, I was with the gang of Beautiful Teens (Diane, Lita, Kaleb, Lincoln, Vincent and Rory) as they led the way to a nearby pizzeria known as Robbie Joe's as the place was fairly packed. A perky waitress led us to a table before we all took our seats and another dark-skinned jock named Josiah Wilburn introduced himself to me. "So, newbie," Lita began as another waitress brought us drinks. "How do you like being in Berkeley so far?"

I shurgged my shoulder. "It's a bit different from being in Oakland, for one thing," I replied. "I mean, this is my first time out alone since my folks and I moved here two days ago."

"Busy getting things unpacked?"

I nodded. "That, and I mainly liked to keep to myself. I mean, I originally intended to stay inside and catch up on some drawings I put off before the move."

That caught the girls' attention. "You're an artist?" Diane asked excitedly.

"Aspiring fashion designer, mainly, but I do love to draw and paint whenever I can," I answered. "Had plans to enter some of them for competitions, but Dad thought that I should be with the jocks and whatnot- try to get some air in my lungs and make new friends outside of the usual friends I make."

And that caught almost everyone's attention, especially Marcel's. "And what kind of friends do you usually make?" the jock asked, his gaze hard and domineering.

I gulped. Why did I feel like I was transported to the Spanish Inquisition? "Well, I mainly hung out with the kids from the rough side of town," I began. "I was also cool with fellow nerds, some Goths, religious kids. But the ones that were attracted to me the most were the Valley Girls and Boys. I had DOZENS of those hanging around me, but they weren't really-"

"Ah, fuck," groaned Rory. "Kid, you're a magnet for the Losers."

Now it was my turn to look at the Beautiful Teens my pointed stare with a bit of Bette Davis mixed in. "And what's wrong with that?" I asked sharply.

"Nothing, not unless you like to be caught up with mediocrity," Diane commented. "And let me guess, your parents were social butterflies and popular kids back in high school, right?"

"Mom's a PR consultant and Dad's a defense attorney," I replied. "And both of them insisted that I needed to make friends with popular kids and branch out more."

"And they're right," Marcel said as a waitress brought in our food. "They must see some hidden potential locked inside of you, yet I can tell that you like to hide away in the shadows and not cause any unwanted attention. Did you join any sports clubs at your old school?"

"Only the swim team, but even there I was a loner," I replied.

"Yikes," Vincent said. "Looks like you coming here was what you desperately needed. You can count yourself lucky that you met us, Kyle. From where we all stand, you're in need of a change, a MAJOR change."

Folks, if I wasn't liking how these fools were perceiving me and agreeing with my parents (whom they never met), I was glad of not showing it because they were starting to get on my last nerves.

Luckily, our pizza arrived and we eagerly dug in. "So, Kyle," Marcel said. "How do you think your school year will turn out?"

I shrugged, polishing off my slice of pizza. "I just want to focus on my grades and be among the faceless in the crowd," I replied. "I wasn't the one to cause any waves or be a troublemaker. And my circle of friends made sure to keep me away from anything reckless."

"That's cool and all, but you're a senior, right?" Josiah asked.

I nodded.

"I think that you're going to need a new sense of direction," Diane said. "Hell, you kind of do since you're a wild card and the new kid in town."

Everyone nodded.

"That won't be necessary," I replied, shaking my head. "If anything, I just want to get through my senior year without getting involved in things that I don't like."

"That won't be happening," Marcel said, eyes full of determination. "And since you're attending Sandifer Bay with us, I think it's only fitting that you have someone to not only keep you on your toes but also boost your life to new levels. With my two dads being the principal and vice-principal, I can promise you this: your old paradigm is going to be no more. I'm going to make sure that you get the glow-up you desperately need."

He leaned in closer (damn my ass for being seated next to the jock). "Because underneath your hardened shell...is a raging teenager who is waiting to be shown to the world. And I'm not going to let you slip away from me," he finished. "I have major plans for you, Kyle York. And whether you like it or not, you will be a THRIVING teenager."

Why did I feel like he meant every word? And why do I have the feeling that my parents know about this?

There was only one way to find out.

**************

"Mom, Dad, do you know that this Dermott kid is going to be my personal buddy when I start school at Sandifer Bay High?" I asked upon my arrival at home, grateful to see my grandparents hanging out in the living room. "He said that he was going to make sure that I lose my geek persona and everything."

Dad, dressed in golfing pastels, gave me a pointed glance as his wife was busy cooking dinner while arranging everything in the kitchen. "Of course we know about Marcel and his plans," he replied curtly. "And his fathers talked with your mother and myself as we agreed that you will need to not only be familiar with Sandifer Bay and the social ladder there but also be exposed to new opportunities."

"Besides," Mom added as she stirred something in her favorite pasta pot, "you are starting senior year and could do with more extracurricular activities and even some sports to add to your college resume. You can't keep coasting through high school with hanging out with the riff-raff and being antisocial. This'll be good for you, son. Learn to embrace new opportunities."

"But what if those kids only use and abuse him for their entertainment?" Grandpa asked as he turned away from the movie he and his wife were watching. "Kyle's a good boy who never gets into trouble."

"But he also never loosens up," Dad rebutted. To me, "Kyle, are you really going to be satisfied with just existing in your final year of high school, being cynical of the kids who can help you boost your confidence? Or do you think that it's time to try something new and maybe see if this move to Berkeley can be the best thing in your life?"

I sighed heavily. "Dad, just make sure that this Marcel dude doesn't make a fool out of me," I only replied. "I'll give this a chance, but I won't hesitate to cut a bitch down if those Beautiful Teens end up being rotten."

"That's all we ask," Mom commented. "And be sure to keep tomorrow morning free because you'll be registered at your new school tomorrow and your father and I will introduce you to Marcel's two dads."

I nodded, retreating to the living room and joining my grandparents. "Grandma? Grandpa? I have a strong feeling that my senior year is going to be bonkers as ever," I told them.

"Well, as long as you remember what your morals are and remain true to yourself, you can't go wrong," Grandma replied gently, rubbing the back of my shoulders. "But you could be right, child. By the tingling in my thumbs, something chaotic this way comes."

"For sure," Grandpa agreed. "Be mindful, boy. Your parents are up to something, and it's not good."

And I had a feeling he was right on the money.

Grandpa's not wrong, folks! There's some strange magic going on backstage, folks, but all will be revealed in due time! But coming up next, Kyle's getting registered for classes as his plans for a quiet senior year are all but demolished thanks to his parents and the Dermott family. You can't miss it!

Dedication: adijhan.

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