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Y Kerrie's Story Y
"Parkview, Parkview, we cheer you!"

I know a million people, but I don’t have a million friends. Most friendships are really shallow. It’s like, you collect a bunch of pictures on MySpace, say hi in the hallway, and that’s it.

I used to try and impress certain people, especially one particular guy. It didn’t matter whether I tried or didn’t try. He wasn’t interested, and he still ignores me to this day. But I understand. Freshman year Courtney told me there was this guy who really liked me. But I didn’t like him, so I totally ignored him, and then I made fun of him with my friends later. I feel really bad about that now, ‘cause he’s a really nice kid.

You come to school in a new outfit, and everyone is so impressed. But it only lasts maybe two seconds, and maybe it’s mostly in your mind anyway.

Popularity is a vain pursuit, a total waste of time. Especially popularity in high school. One more year, and then I’ll graduate, and everything everyone thought was so important won’t be important anymore. Like who’s head cheerleader and who’s seeing who. Even if I were as popular as Kelly Donahue, it wouldn’t matter one bit after graduation. It’s not like I’ll ever see these people again.

Even though I’m a cheerleader, I’m not especially popular. Not compared to Brit, Kelly, or even Courtney. Also Amanda. But when I backslid and was partying, I was very popular in that crowd. Everyone laughed at everything I said, and all the guys thought I was hot. Partly it’s ‘cuz I usually didn’t wear my glasses, and I think I’m hotter without my glasses. I can’t see squat, but I’m hot. (unintentional rhyme – sorry) I need to save up for contacts, but that’s a subject for another post.

The fact is, everyone at parties is totally into themselves, especially if they’re drunk or on drugs. So you think everyone is thinking about you, but really you’re just part of the background scenery – or else some random guy’s property.

Scott is a real friend. He was there for me when everyone else thought I was a burnout. Even my “friends” on the cheer squad gave up on me ‘cuz I was on drugs and was always late or in a b**chy mood.
       
Everyone except Courtney, even though she’s as blonde as a cheerleader can get, ‘cuz she’s been a real friend through everything since like about fifth grade. These are the people who stood by me when I was lost for a while last year. They’re worth more than all the others combined. The Bible says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother was born for times of trouble.” (Proverbs 17:17) Totally true.

When I was messed up, I avoided Scott ‘cuz I knew he was a strong Christian. And I blew off Courtney, ‘cuz I knew she didn’t approve. They kept trying, but if I’d lost them, it would have been mostly my fault. Now I try and do nice things for them and try and always make time. Real friendships take work. I want to keep these friendships long after high school, maybe even forever. So even when I get pissed at Courtney, I don’t stay mad long. And I never hold a grudge, even though she can be really annoying sometimes.


My best friend is definitely God. But if you’ve read my other posts, you know that by now. I know it’s hard to imagine having a relationship with God if you’ve never had one. I can’t imagine what being a teenager in Japan is like either. Some things you just have to experience yourself to really understand.


 

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