What is 'Cool'?

An obsession over being 'popular' and 'cool' has cause terminal insanity, depression, and suicide. What do you think when you read that? At first, it sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone likes to believe that they are untouched by peer pressure, cliques, and the pressure of fitting in. But if I think about it again, it's totally conceivable. Honestly, I am seriously affected by it all, but I try not to be. Though cliques in our grade are very prominent and defined, most people pretend that they don't exist when confronted with the idea. The popularity situation in our grade takes up a lot of my time and thoughts, and I know I'm not alone in this position.

I've talked to a few other people who share similar feelings about this. Some of us come to school stressing about whether we'll be able to sit with the cool kids at lunch that day, or whether we'll be casually edged out of the circle again. Then we wonder who we can sit with if we aren't accepted there. If anyone actually reads this, they will totally know exactly what I'm talking about, but most people still wouldn't admit it to their friends. Well, someone's got to address the problem, and since I've only got three more weeks of dealing with it, I'm comfortable talking about this on behalf of the people who are being excluded.

Last year, I admit, I tried a little bit too hard to be 'cool'. It was my first year, and I wanted to make friends, so obviously they were the first group I looked to. Why not? The popular people always seem to have the most fun, are super attractive, are the center of attention, and never have a dull moment. I wanted to feel included, like I was a part of a special group of friends with a tight bond, that I could be friends with forever. It's natural to want to be a part of something like that. I got labeled almost immediately as 'the person who tries too hard', and apparently that's some horrible sin.

What I really don't understand, is why cliques are so necessary. It's different than just groups of friends. The groups are exclusive, and I know from personal experience as I've tried for basically two whole years to officially join a group of friends and have been unsuccessful. When people in my situation (there are a few) are simply trying to make friends, they get caught between the two different cliques. We might think we're basically accepted now, but then we don't get invited to a sleepover or a party, and we have to deal with being left out of inside jokes and funny stories about it on Monday morning - not so fun. So why don't people just hang out with whoever they want?

We worry about boundaries and getting labeled, like I did when I tried going down that path. We worry that other people will start to dislike us, and insult us because of it. Everyday I'm left wondering what to do at SOS, because as soon as that clock reads 11:00, the friends who I had been laughing and hanging out with moments ago race out the door. They run to meet up with the rest of their group, leaving me behind and wondering, "Is it okay to follow them, or is that trying too hard?" I don't want to have to try to be someone I'm not, cooler than I am, for my friends. But in a small school like this, there's not many other people to turn to.

So what are we supposed to do? Well, I say, we make friends with who we actually want to be friends with. Screw the boundaries; go for it!

Barnaby & Bellie Boogly

Well hello there, my name is Barnaby Boogly and I am Andie's imaginary BESTEST FRIEND FOREVER. I enjoy Piña Coladas, getting caught in the rain, and long moonlight walks on the beach. Yes, I am a boy, but I have had a very strong feminine influence from my twin sister, Bellie Boogly. She is slightly mentally unstable but my parents think she is really super, so I can really relate to Andie and her relationship with her strange brother Dawson. That's what we usually talk about, but we can talk about anything with each other because we grew up together and are now very close. Also, I am physically close to Andie, because I live in a house right beside hers. This has come in handy a lot! We can even talk to each other from our windows, and sometimes we attach a rope ladder to both ends and then we can sneak back and forth like super spies or ninjas. I love it when we pretend to be ninjas!

My sister Bellie is also very good friends with Andie, and together we're like the three musketeers. With our strengths combined, we always stick up for Andie when people pick on her for having "imaginary friends" and talking to herself all the time. I am fairly certain that all Bellie really likes to do is paint her nails, do her hair, read magazines and gossip, but apparently that's what Andie likes in a friend because she's the one who dreamt Bellie up. I think I'm supposed to be the caring friend, and Bells is meant to be the fun friend. Oh yeah, sometimes we call her Bells. She says it makes her feel special, and I like to make people feel special. I always go out of my way to make sure people are happy, because who wants to be around a grumpy pants? Not me!

The kids at school tell Andie that she's too old for imaginary friends, but she doesn't listen to them, and it makes me feel very good about myself. I don't want Andie to ever abandon me! She says she won't ever leave me and Bellie because she will always need someone to be there for her in rough times when her 'real friends' just can't help. This makes it difficult for us Booglys. We want to help Andie fit in and make other pals, but we never want to lose her! But since we're such great buddies, we help her make friends at school anyway, and that's how Andie dreamt us up. She dreamt of me on her darkest day to bring her sunlight, and I will stick around forever to keep her life sunny and happy.

barnaby, xoxo.

*Andie Hunt is now 14 years old (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) and she still hangs out with her imaginary pals, me and Bellie Boogly, every single day. This is a completely true story. Trust me. Or you can ask Andie. She will never let go of her imaginary friends.

andie, xoxo.