President's High

If you take no risks, you will suffer no defeats. But if you take no risks, you win no victories.

- Richard Nixon

Chapter 1

Standing at the center of the massive stage, Richard couldn't help but be nervous. He was sweating profusely due to baking under a bright spotlight, as well as the anticipation of what was to come. He couldn't wait much longer or his heart might burst-

Suddenly, Ryan Seacrest strutted onstage, doing that cocky little walk of his. He approached the microphone towards the front of the stage, a sealed envelope in one hand, a small mirror in the other. He glanced at himself in the mirror and winked.

"Damn, I look good," he muttered to himself. The crowd screamed in delighted agreement and anticipation. Ryan flashed a dazzling smile at the audience.

"MY EYES!" one woman screamed as she fell to the ground. Her eyes caught fire upon receiving the brute force and intensity of Ryan's smile, rendering her immediately blind and smitten by that classic Seacrest charm we all know and love. Ryan could only chuckle - he was used to this by now.

Suddenly the lights dimmed and a hush fell upon the once raucous crowd. Ryan set down the mirror and straightened his fuchsia bow tie. This was it - the moment everyone across the world had been waiting for.

"...Richard…"

"The results are in!" shrieked Seacrest. He dramatically unsealed the envelope, his sight-stealing pearly whites sealed safely behind a rakish smirk as his eyes traced over the name on the card.

"...Richard…"

"The winner of the American Presidential Election is-"

"RICHARD MILHOUS NIXON, GET OUT OF BED THIS INSTANT!"

With a start, Richard was jolted from his dream and jolted awake by his mother's voice traveling from the kitchen downstairs.

"I'M UP! I'M UP!" He called back before pushing himself out of bed and trudging downstairs to the kitchen, where his mom was whipping him up some breakfast. She placed a plate of food and glass down on the table.

"Hurry up and eat, Richard, your food's getting cold."

"Sorry mom, I was having that dream again…" Richard replied to his mother sheepishly.

"The one where Seacrest makes a woman's eyes burst into flame inside her head, rendering her blind and smitten?"

"Yeah, and I always get so close to seeing who wins the American Presidential Election but then I-"

"Now now, enough with this Election talk. It's just a dream, sweety."

"Well, I made it in the Top Two this time," Richard replied, moodily.

"Of course you did, of course you did." Richard's mom patted his shoulder placatingly. "You've got bigger fish to fry, mister. It's your first day at your new high school, can you believe it?"

Richard shrugged, his face uninterested, but his clenching fists betraying his nervousness about starting his sophomore year at a brand new school where no one knew his name. Sensing her son's nerves, Hannah Nixon squished her son's big ol' face between her hands.

"You know, I made you your favorites-"

"Cottage cheese with ketchup and a glass of fine French wine," Richard said, his voice quivering with gratitude as his mom dropper her hands, allowing him to regard the spread his mom had laid out before him.

"You're the best, mom!" Richard beamed at his mom in gratitude, and she returned his face warmly.

"I know. Now eat up before it goes bad." And with that, Richard quickly ate his food and then scurried off to get dressed in his new school uniform - khaki pants, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a blue tie - and grab his packed backpack to head off to school.

He paused at the door and turned towards his mom, a nervous smile gracing his lips. Hannah handed Richard his bagged lunch and straightened his tie.

"Are you ready, Richard?"

"...I'm scared I won't fit in or make any friends," he mumbled back, embarrassed. Hannah winked and gave her son a peace sign.

"You'll be just fine, my boy. I know it. You're a Nixon, after all." Richard smiled and returned her peace sign with both of his hands.

"And everyone's gonna remember my name someday!"

"They sure are, bud." And with that, Hannah promptly pushed her son out the door and towards the school bus waiting outside. Richard ran towards the vehicle's open door as his mother waved tearfully at his back.

"I'm so proud of you," she murmured. "Have a great first day at President's High!"