In every high school there are “popular” people. Face it, it’s true. But what does popular really mean? It simply means everyone knows you. Not everyone likes you, but they know you. Or know who you are. But....is that really a good thing? You obviously always hear some from of insane gossip at some point in high school. And who’s the gossip usually about? “Popular kids”. We all know that one kid who you dread having class with. Always disrupting and just being an asshole. That’s usually because they’re putting on a show for everyone so they can be known throughout the school. Thus making them “popular”. They all hide behind Snapchat streaks and crop-tops, make-up and perfect hair, baggy jeans and asshole attitude all because they want to be accepted. Because they want to be known. Because they want, they crave attention. And I feel sorry for them....I really do. Most of these kids have such potential and smarts. They’re strong athletes and talented actors, incredible writers or amazing mathematicians, science nerds or band geeks. But they can’t be that if they want popularity. You have to be the same as everyone else to be accepted. You have to gossip and use social media 24/7, you have to dress like a slut or ask any girl to fuck you in order to brag to your friends about how many times you’ve “done it”, you have to be under 120 pounds and wear 10 pounds of make-up, you have to ditch class and smoke weed, you have to say goodbye to everything that makes you, you. You have to hide behind the image of what everyone thinks that they want. You have to be perfect. And if you don’t obey these silent rules you’re not “popular” anymore. I’ve always been one of those kids who eats under the stairs at lunch. But I’m not alone. There are lots of other people under those stairs. You make friends, share stories, laughs, sadness, anger, love. You find the people you’ll always remember and the people who will stay by your side. Because they have nothing to hide behind. Because they don’t care if Julie will like their skirt or if Dave will find them attractive. They don’t care if they’re eating under the stairs or in the cafeteria. Think about where you stand and how you got there. Are you proud of it? Or would you rather not share. Because if you’d rather not share, then...is where you are really the best place. Maybe we should go eat under the stairs just for one lunch, one time, one hour, one chance to give up. Just for one small hour. Is that really so hard? Take off the mask, and maybe you’ll see clearer. Maybe you’ll see that popularity isn’t quite what it’s lived up to be. Maybe you’ll go back to the friends you stopped hanging out with a year ago who are now under those stairs. Maybe you’ll find new friends. And perhaps you’ll be You.
