Drama Beneath the Surface

               Friends are nice, right? Or, rather, they're supposed to be. They have to have your back in any and all situations to qualify as one, right? And, let's be honest, in high-school, public or not, wherever we look, we see at least one clique, maybe one you want to be a part of: The jocks, the popular kids, etc. But what we all want to forget is how much drama and tension really simmers beneath their happy, friendly facade. And the cause of a lot of this tension? 

               Relationships. The dreaded occurrence that can tear friendships apart.

               For example, my group of friends. Now, we're not such a popular group that we have a label, but enough that people know who we are. But that's besides the point. What I want to focus on are the particular friends in this group.

               I have a boyfriend, an amazingly sweet and kind one. Only issue: he's a grade younger. And in high-school, that age difference, especially if the girl is the older one, is social suicide. In my school, at least.

               Going back to my friends, they don't like him. They never did, and at this point, I don't expect them to. Proof? For starters, every time one of my friends passes him, she'll smack him upside the head or say some snide comment that she thinks is sooo funny. Like, really? Is that necessary? And my other friends just listen and laugh.

              I did ask them about it, though. I asked why they thought it was okay or funny to do that kind of stuff. One of my friends replied with a "Every time he passes me, he goes 'ugh' ". So I said, "Okay, that's a valid reason, I guess. If it bothers you that much, then I'll ask him to stop. Good?" But the "friend" that hits him upside the head says, "I just don't like him, and he's annoying. He always acts so condescending and acts like he's smarter than we are. I wish he'd show us a bit more respect." In my mind, I was thinking  "Well, he kinda is smarter than you... And what exactly have you accomplished in your short life that makes you entitled to such respect? Just saying you want respect shows how condescending you are."

               But what I said aloud was, "I don't think just being annoying and acting smart condone such behavior." And she replies with, "Well, I'm not trying to hurt him," so I say, "So what exactly is your goal here?" She doesn't answer. Then she just restates the reasons for her dislike. I just roll my eyes and scoff.

              But you know, I don't think it matters what my friends think. If I like him, that's all that matters. And you know what? She can shove her opinions and objections up her. . .