The tables turned at some point, probably the same year I started taking school very seriously “when it counted” — ninth grade.

That was the year when my life became all about academic over-achievement, more to escape everyday life’s reality than to prepare for college, and my younger sister Bren became the super-social one.

I was one of her “besties,” so it worked out just fine.

We are only 13 months apart in age, and for all intents and purposes were twins in our younger years.

Then, high school happened. I didn’t like the dynamics of the high school social scene. It seemed so cruel, so abusive.

So I was the girl who hung out with her sister and her sister’s friends some weekends, when I didn’t have homework. I didn’t go to the frat parties that they were dumb enough to attend as high-school girls, but other weekends, we hung out. I usually met up with them after I got off work.

So, not surprisingly attending a high school reunion has never crossed my mind, not even once. I was uninvolved in the mainstream social scene of high school.

This weekend is Bren’s 20-year HSR in Vegas, where she lives. Now, if I ever were to attend a high school reunion, it would be hers. But I wouldn’t even attend that given the chance because the “high school scene” is SOOOO two decades ago!…

….well, it is for me, anyway. I don’t doubt that many people form meaningful lifetime friendships in high school. I simply wasn’t one of them and I don’t have the desire to go back.

Ever.

Never.

I do have some good memories from those four years, but they are the kind that don’t require revisiting the past to enjoy them.

Thank the Lord!

Being able to reflect on high school with present-day acuity is a marvelous thing for me. I really like that.

© Alexa Lopez 2008