One
the preppy cheerleader
who has enough spirit for seven people
and always dies her hair to a horrific blonde
she bounces in her seat from too much giggling
making sure she is the core of attention
her baby face contorts into an overly happy expression
the flawless cheekbones on her face are very obvious
the fake tan on her skin is evident
no one is that tan naturally
as the bell rings, she grabs her “in the now” backpack
the ends of her uniform fly up too high as she prances
her brown eyes flash mischievously
she gives bystanders a look of superior victory
as if shes on top, squashing everyone else.


Two
the quiet boy in the corner
his thick frames conceal his eyes successfully
he peers my way when i walk in
then returns to his notebook, furiously jotting something down
he pauses to recollect his thoughts the tip of his pen is being nervously chewed on
his hand adjusts his cream colored collar swiftly
he used to sit in the front of the class
but the bullying got to be too much
so his new home is is the back of the room
never daring to speak up
the motto that he lives by speaks to me-
be so quiet the when you do speak, they have to listen


Three
the girl with paint etched on her clothes
she continuously clutches a canvas
her latest project
the contents in her backpack are mainly art supplies
it’s hard to believe she owns an article of clothing
that hasn’t been affected by her passion
someone sits next to her
she doesn’t even notice
all her senses are engrossed on her painting
her foot taps rhythmically to whatever courses through her headphones
art is all she breathes

I can find something in common with all these
We are a generation
We all want to be praised
To be loved
To be completed
We all stay up late sometimes
Texting is a lifestyle to us
Having a drivers license is a community goal
Lazy days are a staple
Nightmares can become reality
We all forget an assignment or two
Or even procrastinate
It’s how we carry ourselves
Some are better at hiding than others
We are our experiences
And we are all just trying to survive
Survive the ferocity that is high school.