We spend junior year worrying about standardized tests. We spend senior year applying to colleges. We spend our last summer saving up money, preparing for move-in day, but most importantly- being with our friends every second of every day.
Never did I think this day would actually come- when your life completely transforms. The relationships created over the past ten years all seem to have a clock, secretly ticking as the weather grows colder and the leaves become older.
Throughout my last summer as a high school student, I invested my time in forming countless memories with a group of teenagers- all with varying personalities and interests- that not only became my best friends, but also my family. We relied on one another for happiness, for laughter, for tears.
Some of our recollections consisted of scorching hot days fulfilled at the beach as the salt water absorbed our laughter and the sand built our memories. Our sun-kissed faces survived until the night, where we gathered in backyards talking, in complete denial that we all had limited time.
As I travel into my next journey, my reflections of these past few weeks overpower any advice ever given about high school friends. Typically, people say that it is unusual to stay friendly with many of your high school friends during college -my class will defy those words, for our bonds and relationships will remain in touch as the day’s pass. These people morphed me into the character I am today, strengthening my confidence and persona.
That last week of summer, when the ticking clocks progress, when the friends depart one by one, when the emotions weaken. All of the sentiments previously felt over the years illuminate for those seven days, wishing we could have repaired broken relationships, wishing we could just have one more week, wishing we could say the words that seemed impossible to utter.
I think the last night all together is emotionally the hardest. We spend eight weeks by one another’s side, but then the time vanishes in an instant. Those last hugs, sinking our affection into everyone’s chest, soaking our tears into everyone’s shirts. Never did I want to experience that night, where we had no other option but to say our goodbyes and to wish one another luck in our next journey.
A series of torn emotions flood our minds. One part wishes we could rewind to prom and graduation, whereas another part cannot wait to start college; there really is no in between. The excitement about starting fresh should distract our sadness, but it just does not. These sentiments are purely too powerful; we grew with these classmates, we experienced with these friends, we learned with this family.
We spend high school wishing to be in college, separated from drama and parents, finally independent. However, we do not acknowledge the clock that begins right on the first day of high school. Once the alarm rings, we cannot help but want to go back in time. Until next time class of 2016.
