Best Two Years of my Life.

As I enter the hallways of Middle School, people turn to see me, happily. I stride briskly over the cleat-streaked blue floors towards my closest friends, who smile and greet me pleasantly. Lauren and I bond over last night's epic episode of Glee... Bianca rambles on about how boring her weekend was... Olivia excitedly informs me of the progress of our group video project... Cassie talks briefly of Justin Bieber's performance on Oprah, or maybe breaks into song. Greeting the rest of my close friends quickly, before the warning bell rings, we scramble to make our polo shirts appear to be tucked in. I think to myself, I am so lucky to be here.

Last year, I hated this school. I hated SJK with a fiery passion and I hoped desperately for a sunny opportunity to get out of here. From the atrociously boring uniforms, that seem to resemble an old librarian with no love life, to the difficulty of fitting in, to having to continuously sit and stand (and sit and stand and sit and stand..) on Fridays from 1:40 to 2:15, being forcibly enrolled at SJK seemed like a death sentence.

After spending basically an entire year trying to make the right friends, I was told that I wouldn't be returning in Grade Nine due to nonnegotiable curriculum changes. As Mr. Carswell broke the news of the release of the Grade Nine drama program, I was dazed. To most people, this was an annoying inconvenience, resulting in an overly full Art class and no easily gained marks from playing Drama games in class. To me, that thirty seconds involved the past two years flashing before my eyes (I know it's melodramatic - now you see my problem) as I realize that without a doubt, I would not be returning to this school, and the friends that I have grown to truly love, next year.

I think about all the things that I hated about SJK initially and in some cases, still haven't come to like- things like Evensong, "C.O.O.L." Conferences, the need to tuck in our polo shirts, Wyatt, and exams. Honestly, I probably won't miss them too much. But looking back on the majority of the year, I know I had a lot of fun. I will always remember the days spent taking photo booth pictures in French with Alex, colouring plastic babies, googling pictures of cakes and sharing an extreme interest in some of my favourite things, Glee and Justin Bieber, with everyone. The real turning point for me, when I really fell in love with SJK, was sitting on the dock, at sunset, playing guitar, at Tanamakoon. We listened to Reid play Wonderwall, by Oasis, and the enthusiastic voices of my friends singing along. I remember wishing that I could stay on that dock forever.

I honestly don't know where the year has gone. Memories of the first day of Grade Eight seem so strong. I can clearly remember screaming and hugging my friends whom I'd missed so much over the summer, and fussing over Olivia's killer new bangs. Now, as exams are approaching rapidly and the thought of graduation - leaving all this behind - makes me cry every time I think about it. As my friends anxiously await the night of the Graduation ceremony, and of course, the dance, I inwardly try to suppress my sorrow and the worry of missing my friends after I've gone. They get excited about Upper School, while I wish desperately for time to just slow down. Maybe even for it to rewind, bringing me back to sitting on that dock at Tanamakoon. But time won't give me a break. They will continue on, but I'm leaving for good, and I really don't want to. I just wish I had more time here, time to make more memories.


P.S. Wyatt I was totally kidding about not liking you. You know I love ya buddy.