I’m walking to my car Tuesday, Nov. 11, after dance. I danced
from 2:45 to 5 p.m. that day and now it was time for me to go home.
As I slowly walk to my car, I look at the now empty campus. It is
so quiet and so empty. Usually, San Benito High School has people
walking elbow to elbow, it is so crowded.
However, the students manage. As I walk through the campus,
certain spots bring back memories.
I’m walking to my car Tuesday, Nov. 11, after dance. I danced from 2:45 to 5 p.m. that day and now it was time for me to go home. As I slowly walk to my car, I look at the now empty campus. It is so quiet and so empty. Usually, San Benito High School has people walking elbow to elbow, it is so crowded.
However, the students manage. As I walk through the campus, certain spots bring back memories.
Walking by the gym reminded me of the first day of high school. The freshmen were sitting in the gym listening to Mr. Echaore tell us about the zero tolerance policy. I remember sitting there dreading high school because middle school had been so bad. But walking across the crosswalk and closer to my destination made me realize that freshmen year was my best year. And high school hasn’t been so bad.
Passing in front of the flagpole reminds me of when I started hanging out with Christina. Even though Christina and I have known each other since I had started kindergarten, I really didn’t hang out with her until sophomore year. Other places, such as cement blocks, steps and classrooms also bring back memories, both good and bad.
I am still slowly walking to my car and as I near it, I have to pass the band room in the parking lot to get to my car. I stop and sigh as memories race across my mind. A guy named Mike use to run up the walls here. He taught me how to climb the tree to the roof of the band room so I could see the whole campus from up there.
I remember meeting my first circle of friends there that accepted me for who I was and what I thought.
I remember I couldn’t wait until I got to go to Tuesday and Thursday practices for the color guard. I loved seeing all my friends and putting together work to perform at football games and how everybody did it not to win, but just because it was fun to perform. As I sit here and stare remembering freshmen year, my memories start to take a turn for the worst.
Sophomore year had definitely been my worst high school year. So many things came crashing down on me at once. My parents divorced, my best friend turned on me for my boyfriend and he left me for her.
Then, when I thought things could not get any worse, I was kicked out of color guard. Something I had loved doing, performing, learning and marching, was taken away from me in 15 minutes. I was heartbroken and I didn’t know where to go. The only person now who stood by my side was Christina, which was why I started to hang out with her sophomore year. She was my friend no matter what. Everybody who I thought was my friend turned their backs on me. That was the hardest part.
Then I started to dance. Mrs. McArdle, also known as Sensei, told me about Dance Company. Second semester of my junior year, I tried out and I made it. I was also taking her Dance B class. When the concert rolled around, I was performing again. It felt good.
I shake myself out of my reverie, reminding myself that things slowly got better. At the end of junior year, I was myself again. Though my friend list now was considerably shorter, I was happier. I was performing. So, I got to my car, unlocked my door and slid in.
Yes, I thought to myself, things got better. Now I am a senior, enjoying every aspect of it. Though, already there has been a bump here and there, I will get through it. It won’t be as bad as sophomore year, which made me stronger, but not as good as freshmen year. That is fine with me; I will sit back and enjoy the ride as I wait for graduation. It is right around the corner and I am in no hurry.
Brandie Locke is a senior at San Benito High School.
