The Monotonous Life

This is a writing prompt over at Twenty Something Writers. Not to say that I think of myself as a writer. I just kinda love me some writing prompts. But I also thought this would be an interesting post. So here goes.

Dear 13 year old SA,

Hi. How’s it going? Pretty damn sucky, I know. I’m you. Only 10 years older and hopefully wiser. Look, I’m not going to sit here and write all these positive things about hang in there and you’ll be okay in the long run and all that other bs. I know you hate all that crap. But yes, it’ll start to get better. After about four years. I know, it’ll drag on like hell, but you’ll make it. I promise. I’m going to give you 20 truths about the next 10 years. Use this how you may.

1. That kid that teases you relentless in middle school now? The one you genuinely hate? The one you considered kicking in the balls when he was teasing you right in your face in front of everybody? He’s going to flunk eighth grade. And then get expelled from high school. And the moment the HS principal tells him he’s been expelled and he walks out of the principal’s office with his mother yelling at him loudly the whole time, you’ll get a grin as big as the Grinch on your face. He’ll see you, try to start doing all the eighth grade teasing shit, and you’ll just burst out laughing and tell him that “I’m graduating in a year. You’re dumber than the kids in Special Ed. I rule over you fucker.” This will be heard by the principal and administrators in the office and they’ll verbally reprimand you. But other than that you’ll be okay. I tell you this for one reason-don’t let him get to you so much. He will be irrelevant in three months and won’t be able to hurt you again. But here’s a tip: try to forget his name. 10 years later you really don’t want to be remembering who he was. Trust me on this one.

2. It’s so geeky, but don’t quit band. You love it and you’ll regret not staying in it.

3. Those people who you thought were your friends? Yeah, not really. They are “school friends.” Don’t rely on these people. You’ll get a good hint of this come April when you and your “friends” go to the All-State concert (see, you were damn good at the clarinet! You were one of the 24 best players in the entire state of South Carolina! Don’t quit!) and they treat you like you don’t exist. I’m begging you, don’t rely on these people. They are going to hurt you.

4. Move to Texas. Your father will get a job there and you’re going to be insistent on staying. Don’t. Start over. Yes, moving is hard. But you might have a better life than you do now. Plus, you can tell people you’re from Texas instead of from South Carolina. Which, well, I have no idea if that’s truly better or not, but I’m going with better.

5. When your sophomore Honors English teacher tells you you write extremely well, even though you never really wrote anything beyond something for class before, start writing. A lot. You really don’t want to be wasting something everyone says you do extremely well. Even if you don’t think you’re that good. Just start freaking writing.

6. Speaking of, when you do start to write those stories, instead of keeping them to yourself and ultimately burning them one Saturday when your grandfather is burning leaves in his yard, give them to people to read. It’ll get you to be more comfortable of people reading your work and you wouldn’t have BURNED ALL THOSE DAMN STORIES YOU WROTE.

7. Your brother is going to hurt you. Your father is going to hurt you. Both in different but almost equally hurtful ways. You won’t get past this. I wish I could tell you something to help, but I really can’t.

8. And while on the topic of dear ole dad, cut your losses. Stop trying to help him out. Please remember that he’s a “grown ass man.” He had two children. If he can’t get his life together it’s not up to you to get it together for him. Those dreams you have of getting the hell out of South Carolina and living on your own will be greatly impaired by him. You need to, especially in high school, start focusing on what you want in life. You can’t help him if he doesn’t want to be helped.

9. Do your damnedest to not go to a state school. And even if you go it won’t be so bad. Just join every club under the sun. And go to the welcome week programs and parties and such. Make new friends. Look, I know that’s hard for you to do, but try damn it. You will totally thank me later.

10. You kinda hate Journalism. Don’t major in it and waste classes you’ll have to make up.

11. Don’t hate gym so much. When you take it as a freshman in HS you will totally kick its ass (100! At gym!) Oh, and start playing sports. You enjoy watching them too much to not participate.

12. And on sports, grow a thick skin. You’re a fan of Duke basketball and Michigan football. You will be hated. You’ll have a lot less hurt feelings when you realize this.

13. Your mother is awesome. Pure awesome. Start to appreciate her more.

14. You know the little teenage kid in Cash Money Millionaires? He’s going to be one of the biggest rappers in music when you get older. You won’t understand it. Just thought you should know.

15. Learn to swim. You don’t want to be 23 and not know how to.

16. It won’t be the end of the world if a bitch you totally hate starts dating the guy you’ve been crushing on for over a year. They come and go. And you’ll start liking every type of guy under the sun. So don’t fret about it.

17. Also, don’t be the other woman. You’ll hate yourself. And feel like karma is going to come back on you in a big way thus making you kinda scared to start any new relationship.

18. You grow up to be a bit crazy. It’s okay. You’ll kinda enjoy it.

19. I would tell you to let your hair go natural, but I honestly don’t think you’re ready for that yet. So I’ll just say to start thinking about it and researching it some. Unlike a lot of other people, your mother will be somewhat supportive. I say somewhat because she’ll still tell you to straighten your hair every now and then, but don’t get upset. Just smile and realize she’s telling you this based on her experiences. And if you ever do get frustrated by this, go read #13 again.

20. I know it’s hard. I know life sucks. I know you have problems with “friends” and family and school and bullies and all that. Just keep telling this one simple thing to yourself-this is not, despite what every damn teacher in your schools say, the best time of your life. Not by a long shot. Those days will come. So please don’t feel like you’re missing out on some big thing.You aren’t.

I hope those help you get through the next 10 years. And if not then deal with it. I never had any of this. I actually had to go through and live this. Be happy you’re getting a bit of a manual.

Loves,

23 year old SA