Even today, there are certain misguided adults who tell those still at school that "Schooldays are the happiest days of your life." Whether these people genuinely fall into the small percentage of people for whom school is a halcyon era of fun and games, or simply view the past through the anesthetic of nostalgia is a moot point. It is perhaps as well that few of those still at school believe them - or the quota of youth suicide would rise exponentially, for many might conclude that "well, if it's going to get even worse than this, I'd sooner avoid it altogether!"
For school, save for a tiny percentage with perfect looks, athletic build, rich parents and perfect confidence is no paradise, or even anything like it. It is a prison, save that the inmates have fewer rights. A time when teachers, prefects or bullies can do what they like to you, and you have no defence. When you must be at this place, at this time, when a bell dictates, wear what the rules insist you wear, do whatever you are ordered, no matter how unfair or unreasonable. And when, like the unfortunate Brooke Meadows, you are right at the vey bottom of the school pecking order, a school is indeed the inner most circle of hell.
The lunch period, Brooke felt, was always the worst.
Before school, if she was careful, she could avoid the bullies. Nancy and Layla, and Finn, their male hanger on, and the rest. After seeing Wendy to her class she could loiter, hide behind the bushes at the end of the playing field, then make a frantic dash for her own class a few minutes before the bell sounded, thus leaving them no window to molest her. And morning break was so short she could usually manage to dodge ad weave and avoid them. But the hour they had for lunch was just too long a time. Whenever they wished to find her, they always could, for there were only so many places to hide.
For the millionth time she lamented the recently passed act of parliament, that had added the extra year of schooling to the curriculum to, as the bill had put it "better prepare our vulnerable young for the new and complex world in which they must iteract in adulthood." Damn it, at nearly nineteen, (for though, thanks to her small stature, innocent face and wide eyes she didn't look it she was actually the oldest in her class) she should have been able to put this life of constantly being bullied and tormented behind her. She was sure at Oxford it would not be like this. Damn it, it wasn't her fault she had her "little problem." You would think people might be sympathetic, rather than persecute heer at every opportunity for a situation beyond her control!
For school, save for a tiny percentage with perfect looks, athletic build, rich parents and perfect confidence is no paradise, or even anything like it. It is a prison, save that the inmates have fewer rights. A time when teachers, prefects or bullies can do what they like to you, and you have no defence. When you must be at this place, at this time, when a bell dictates, wear what the rules insist you wear, do whatever you are ordered, no matter how unfair or unreasonable. And when, like the unfortunate Brooke Meadows, you are right at the vey bottom of the school pecking order, a school is indeed the inner most circle of hell.
The lunch period, Brooke felt, was always the worst.
Before school, if she was careful, she could avoid the bullies. Nancy and Layla, and Finn, their male hanger on, and the rest. After seeing Wendy to her class she could loiter, hide behind the bushes at the end of the playing field, then make a frantic dash for her own class a few minutes before the bell sounded, thus leaving them no window to molest her. And morning break was so short she could usually manage to dodge ad weave and avoid them. But the hour they had for lunch was just too long a time. Whenever they wished to find her, they always could, for there were only so many places to hide.
For the millionth time she lamented the recently passed act of parliament, that had added the extra year of schooling to the curriculum to, as the bill had put it "better prepare our vulnerable young for the new and complex world in which they must iteract in adulthood." Damn it, at nearly nineteen, (for though, thanks to her small stature, innocent face and wide eyes she didn't look it she was actually the oldest in her class) she should have been able to put this life of constantly being bullied and tormented behind her. She was sure at Oxford it would not be like this. Damn it, it wasn't her fault she had her "little problem." You would think people might be sympathetic, rather than persecute heer at every opportunity for a situation beyond her control!