the first day of school

One thing that I do admit I am going to miss, is the first day of school. No longer do I spend my last few weeks before summer is over preparing for the next 9 months. No school shopping for that first day outfit; those new shoes, cute top, skinny jeans and rad necklace I saw at that one store. No need to check out Staples for the sales on pencils and paper, and no need for that brand new you haircut I've waited all summer for. nothing. Instead this year I watch as my 4 younger siblings now deal with this. "What should I wear?" "Is this cute?" "Do girls like this?" "My kicks are cool" They've all spent the last week school shopping, getting hair cuts, catching up with friends and they've all got their backpacks packed, the older the age the less material they seem to need. They spend an hour or so picking out that perfect first day outfit for, as we know now, first impressions seem to mean everything.

"If I wear all black they're going to call me emo or gothic or something. And even if I wear all pink because I have purple streaks in my hair they're going to call me something." First words out of my sisters mouth this morning at 6 a.m. when she was getting ready. "Do you like your hair?" I said, "Well, yeah, it's wicked sweet!" "Well then why do you care what everyone thinks? You're ahead of the fashion world right now. They can shove it." She smiled and laughed a little and continued to put on the outfit that we picked out together: Dark blue skinny jeans, black ballet flats, a long dark purple flowy top, and her hair down with bangs cut straight across. She looks 15 when in reality she wont be for another three years. Her style is modern and hip, she likes to wear and do most of the same things I do. We like to try out new styles and see how people react, and if we like something we will wear it, no matter what. Sometimes we get weird looks and sometimes we get "I love your outfits!" One thing we've always vowed to do though from the beginning is to be original.

I find it ridiculous walking into Abercrombie (which I am not a fan of) to spend my birthday giftcards from those aunts&uncles, and seeing 10 year olds begging for a pair of jeans or that $35 tee-shirt. For christmas they ask for a new Chanel purse and they absolutely have to have highlights, heels and hair extensions or they won't be good enough. It's necessary to have the newest sidekick or razor, because when you're 10 you don't just take the bus and call your parents when you get home, you need to talk to all of your friends during class, call them from the bathroom, and secretly text about the cute boy who's sitting behind you.
Welcome to the next generation where who you are is based on how you look and what you do. If you don't have the money to buy an ipod nano and don't have a computer in your room and don't stay up until 10:00 to watch the hills, you are so not cool.

I guess if I was walking into middle school nowadays I would be scared too. I would probably fret over every single thing down to my hair elastic color and making sure my eyebrows are just perfect. Walking into school just to pick up my brother I get glares from girls who are at lest 4 years younger looking at me like I'm not good enough to breathe. Suicide rates are up, it's highly unlikely to find someone with more than 2 best friends, and 13th birthdays now include vodka and a new pipe. If you we're born before 1990 I would consider yourself lucky, and as for after that, best of luck to you.