What does it mean to truly become an adult? Introducing a series of 11 short stories about Malaysian youth from various backgrounds discovering themselves amidst a national landscape plagued by social issues and the enduring conflict between traditi...
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The Big 16. The age when I have to start thinking about my future. It's a bit unfair, don't you think? Having teenagers decide which path will dictate the rest of their lives. Or maybe I'm trying to justify the fact that I don't quite know what I want to pursue in life. Tuition classes after school, Pandu Puteri on Saturdays, plus regular classes in between. There isn't any time to discover interests for myself.
Sometimes it feels like I'm living life from someone else's perspective. I wonder how everyone sees me: Sofia, the girl who has to be part of everything; both the head librarian and Pandu Puteri leader. Teachers always expect me to go the extra mile because I'm their prized student. The ironic thing is, I don't care about any of this stuff. I want to enjoy my last years of school life and not spend so much time trying to meet other people's expectations.
Is it bad that the only time I enjoy myself in school is during the most mundane moments? Lining up during recess, contemplating what meal I should get as though it's the biggest decision of my life. Talking with my friends about nothing important before classes. The comfortable silence when I'm alone in class after everyone has left.
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Today feels like one of those days that drags on forever. Classes are even more boring than usual because my best friend, Sara, had to come down with a fever. She always has a knack for making the room lively. It explains why everyone seems to gravitate towards her bubbly personality — myself included.
The first time we met was in Form 1. I remember her walking up to me, asking if we could be deskmates. Back then, she stood out like a sore thumb. With glasses bigger than her face and hair ties more colourful than anyone else's, I thought she was a little weird. But I didn't have anyone else to sit with so I agreed. Our relationship grew over the years, from classmates who exchanged exam answers to inseparable best friends.
Her quirkiness is something I grew to love, and so did everyone else around her. Throughout our high school years, people flocked towards her. Despite how popular she became, she always made time to hang out with me. There's rarely a time I dreaded going out with her. No matter how down I felt, she would always be the one to cheer me up. I'd never admit this to her, but I'm forever grateful to know someone whom I can be myself with.
