AceShowbiz -

Contrary to his nowadays fame and heartthrob predicate, Zac Efron admits he "was not in that ultracool circle" during his high school years. Though having a lot of friends, "I was average. I was a bit of a class clown - I guess to get through the tedium of the quadratic formula! I thought everyone was fair game," the actor tells the April issue of Family Circle Magazine, going on sale on March 5.

On arguing with his parents during his teen years, Zac recalls, "Oh man, it seemed like every weekend I was in trouble for something! Our disagreements were over small things like curfew." He goes on detailing, "If I got home late, I would get chewed out ... I fought a lot with my little brother [Dylan]. We were brawlers and I would always get grounded. If I had big plans with friends for the weekend-camping or boating or surfing at the beach-I wasn't allowed to go."

"High school can be the most confusing time of your life," Zac frankly tells Family Circle Magazine, and that is why "I've always appreciated my mom's ability to listen to me." Expressing his gratitude for his close bond with mother Starla, he reveals, "Even today I can vent my frustration or share my happiness because she made it clear long ago that she wanted to hear what I had to say. I'm thankful to have had that."

Earning his worldwide fame after starring as Troy Bolton in the Disney Channel's "High School Musical", Zac Efron has been invading the big screen, starring in such movie as "Hairspray". He will next be seen in "17 Again" and "Me and Orson Welles".