The Jungle Book

Noise. That was all I heard. Noise, noise, noise, all jumbled together so that not even the distinct sound of the bell was heard. There were high pitched screams from girls, and low woots from boys, and whistles being blown, and rocks being thrown, and hollers for food, and loud laughs, and panicked whispers, and requests for homework, and seagulls crying: welcome to high school.

On a rainy day at Casa Grande the trodden grass was like that of greasy hair, the swollen puddles leaked over the brims of slippers, and the mud clumped together like hardened taffy. Through the rain, I saw everyone running frantically towards the cafeteria. Nippy, soggy billowing - no one wanted to be in the rain. Inside, the over-powering smell of food flew into my nose. Cafeterias are orderly, with only one line in which each student waited patiently for their food; Casa Grande's food distribution is a glob of wet, heated bodies all pushing towards the front trying to get food. The food is like that of McDonald's; the hamburgers are chewy, and the cheese is like melted plastic. Sitting down at the tables, I could see the greasy residue from the previous sitters’ fingers, as clear as if it were a finger print test; however unappealing these tables were preferred over the tables outside with hardened bird crap that would never wash away, for it had been molded into the table.

Yet, the plastic food, and muddy grounds, and bird crapped tables, and grimy benches weren't even the hard parts of high school; there were the verbal abasements that rang out throughout the school - given out to everyone, hurting everyone. The more "studious" boys stood by the library - in small groups - they made little conversation, all reading the same book. Occasionally, they would break from their books to listen to the noise of their names being mocked by their classmates; yet, they would always ignore it - either being afraid to stand up for themselves, or not having the urge to care - continued on with their reading. Soon their tormentors would lose interest, soon finding a new culprit; another friend to tease and pick fun at. Surrounding him, the boys would push him around, making fun of his "Ethiopian size" and everyone would smile and laugh. No one had the guts to tell them to stop; their mouths smiled and teased him but their eyes told a different story: they didn't want to be the next target.

Sitting on the outskirts, girls, commented about how all the guys were jerks by openly making fun of someone; yet, they were doing the worst damage by talking behind each other's backs. Instead of pushing each other around jokingly, they picked each other apart - always forgetting to put back the pieces - leaving their meal with no self-confidence left. Many of the girls heard the teasing and thought something was wrong with them. I could see the betrayal on their faces, wondering what they had to change about themselves to be liked - their hair? clothes? weight? Judging. Sizing. Deducing. I watched all these terms whispered about someone amongst the girls, traveling from one group to another. It was like watching a game of telephone, the rumors were spread, and once it got to the last person the line went dead, and along with it, the girl’s reputation. The game of telephone was never ending. Each girl that went through Casa experienced being the center of gossip; they knew what it was like to be humiliated. This vicious cycle stood as a reminder – girls and boys, tall and short, nerdy and athletic - that high school is a place where friendships are tested, confidence is demolished, and memories are forever.

High school is meant to be a place where kids learn and grow, but in actuality they are putting more effort and care towards fitting in, while pushing the age limits on drugs, alcohol, and sex. Casa is a place of envy and admiration where dark secrets brood; it is a place where girls wear provocative clothes, screaming for attention; it is a place where the scarred wrists are crying for help; it is a place where the first heart break happens; it is a place where fake food and fake people are eaten; it is a place where the loud over power the shy; it is a place where people are afraid to be themselves; it is a place where the pigeons roam; it is a place unlike any movie; it is a place where people become fatuous; it is a place of insanity.

-Rebecca