Who We Want to Be

Who We Want to Be

Popular.

That’s what he was.

Confident, Smooth, Flirtatious, Athletic, and… Popular.

He was the captain of the football team; he had been starting varsity as a running back since freshman year. The Friday night lights were his home turf, no pun intended. The epitome of pure athleticism. He carried himself with an air of confidence few could rival. He was completely at ease on and off the field. He was like a god, and he knew it.

Walking the halls, he towered over the others, not in stature, but in an attitude that could fill a room. No one could walk down the hall and leave the same impression. The effortless saunter. The casual toss of his head. The easygoing smirk. He was a magnet. All the girls wanted to be with him, and all the guys wanted to be him.

School wasn’t his best subject, but who cared? He got decent enough grades to get into college, and he’d go for a football scholarship. So what if he talked back to a couple teachers? He didn’t care. He had his friends at his side and a girl on each arm. Who needed approval when he already got all the respect he needed? He got invited to all the parties. In fact, if he wasn’t invited, there was no party. He was everywhere that was anywhere worth being.

He ruled the school. This guy was the stuff out of movies. A god among mortals. A sensation. A hit. A star. A stud.

He exists. In the deepest corners of our minds. He is who we want to be. He may not always look the same, but he is always there. He is us, but better. And he knows it.
- S. Louis