Intersession 2014
Intersession is a one week period right before spring break where you can take a class doing almost anything as long as a teacher offers it. Each teacher offers an intersession, and each student chooses one. In 9th grade, the intersession that I chose was creative writing, where we wrote creative non-fictions; memoirs. I wrote mine about a friend that I used to have. I hope you enjoy!
1
My first best friend; Rachel*. She lived only three houses away from me in my cul-de-sac, and so we saw each other a lot. We had much more in common than where we lived, though. We both had little sisters, we had similar hobbies, and we’d gone to all the same schools.
When we were at either of our houses we had something we could do, or somewhere we could talk without a sibling interrupting us. At my house, I had a back garden (we called it the secret garden) and at Rachel’s house, she had a really cool tree house. The tree house had three separate buildings, with monkey bars to connect them. It also had a swing set, and her rock collection in the main building. One of the things I remember doing at my house all the time was crushing up flowers and plants to make “potions.” They were really more like potpourri, but not dried out.
Another place that we could hang out was a park just down the street from our cul-de-sac. It was relatively big, with a large grass field, swing set, sand pit, play place (one of those colorful play sets with a few slides and a bridge, among other things), two basketball courts, and a few picnic tables. In the back, there was a water drainage canal and a hill, with a residential area behind it. Right next to that, in a secluded area with a few trees, was one of the picnic benches. We loved to go there to talk, or even just sit in the shade while our little siblings played.
We both read similar books. We read them all around the same time, and whenever one of us finished a book, we enthusiastically shared it with the other person. Those books, about two girls looking for fairies that had gone missing, mean so much to me. They stand for the bond that Rachel and I had, and our lives in elementary school. Even after we both grew out of this book series, we still shared books and read a lot of the same things. We still do, in fact, because we got each other into certain series.
We were such close friends, that at school, when one of us was absent, the other would have maybe one other friend to go to. At one point, when we took one of our few breaks from being friends, I had to find an all new group of people that I could trust. At that point, before we had our fight, we might have been each other’s only friends.
We helped each other too. When my parents divorced, I was in the 4th grade. That being the already emotionally unstable age that it was, I was a bit of a wreck. Rachel noticed this, and tried to help me through it, leaving me alone when I needed to be left alone, and encouraging me when I needed encouraging.
Once, when we were at this park/lake near our neighborhood, Rachel got a little too close to the mossy edge of the lake and slipped in. I, with my incredible sense of style, was dressed in layers, wearing pants, a shirt, and a dress. I did what any self respecting best friend would do, and gave her my dress, even though my shirt was way too small for me, and it was my favorite dress.
Maybe I should have known; a friendship so sweet has to end someday.
When we were at either of our houses we had something we could do, or somewhere we could talk without a sibling interrupting us. At my house, I had a back garden (we called it the secret garden) and at Rachel’s house, she had a really cool tree house. The tree house had three separate buildings, with monkey bars to connect them. It also had a swing set, and her rock collection in the main building. One of the things I remember doing at my house all the time was crushing up flowers and plants to make “potions.” They were really more like potpourri, but not dried out.
Another place that we could hang out was a park just down the street from our cul-de-sac. It was relatively big, with a large grass field, swing set, sand pit, play place (one of those colorful play sets with a few slides and a bridge, among other things), two basketball courts, and a few picnic tables. In the back, there was a water drainage canal and a hill, with a residential area behind it. Right next to that, in a secluded area with a few trees, was one of the picnic benches. We loved to go there to talk, or even just sit in the shade while our little siblings played.
We both read similar books. We read them all around the same time, and whenever one of us finished a book, we enthusiastically shared it with the other person. Those books, about two girls looking for fairies that had gone missing, mean so much to me. They stand for the bond that Rachel and I had, and our lives in elementary school. Even after we both grew out of this book series, we still shared books and read a lot of the same things. We still do, in fact, because we got each other into certain series.
We were such close friends, that at school, when one of us was absent, the other would have maybe one other friend to go to. At one point, when we took one of our few breaks from being friends, I had to find an all new group of people that I could trust. At that point, before we had our fight, we might have been each other’s only friends.
We helped each other too. When my parents divorced, I was in the 4th grade. That being the already emotionally unstable age that it was, I was a bit of a wreck. Rachel noticed this, and tried to help me through it, leaving me alone when I needed to be left alone, and encouraging me when I needed encouraging.
Once, when we were at this park/lake near our neighborhood, Rachel got a little too close to the mossy edge of the lake and slipped in. I, with my incredible sense of style, was dressed in layers, wearing pants, a shirt, and a dress. I did what any self respecting best friend would do, and gave her my dress, even though my shirt was way too small for me, and it was my favorite dress.
Maybe I should have known; a friendship so sweet has to end someday.
2
While it may seen that our friendship was perfect, it was not. Like almost every other pair of friends in elementary school, we fought. Not a lot, but a few times throughout our friendship. Most of the times after we fought, Rachel had no problem finding another friend temporarily. On the other hand, I tried to to use my (I’m sorry to say) inept social skills to find another friend. I am almost thankful that this happened, though, because it taught me how to make friends, and forced me to develop that skill.
Some time in elementary school, Rachel and I both auditioned for a play. It was a musical version of Robin Hood, with numerous changes, additions, and comedic bits. Both of us got parts, although my part had more speaking. At some point late in the play, however, we had a fight. I don’t remember what it was about. It didn’t matter too much, play-wise, because I didn’t share any scenes with her. It still affected me, though, as our fights always did. Apparently, it had affected Rachel, too, because on opening night, right before the play started, her Mom confronted me about whatever it was. I don’t recall her being specific; just that I’d hurt Rachel’s feelings. It really startled me, and I was nervous throughout the whole play. Afterwards, we had a bit of an awkward reunion, and made up. This affected our relationship because of the odd encounter I had with Rachel’s mother. For a while, I was constantly nervous around her mother, afraid I’d say the wrong thing and get in trouble. I never did learn what I had said or done to offend Rachel so much that her mother had to come intervene.
One of the times that we fought, I did manage to find another friend, named Laura. Laura lived a bit farther away from me. Not on the same street, that was for sure. She was exceptionally kind to me, but sadly, she moved away. We no longer went to the same elementary school, and that was everything when it came to friends at our age. Of course, we stayed friends for a little bit, but our connection quickly eroded. Later that year, Rachel and I made up. Our relationship was strained because of how long we were apart. The lapse in Rachel and my friendship lasted almost a year, and being apart that long took it’s toll.
For the most part, however, we got along fine, unlike many during the volatile fifth grade.
Some time in elementary school, Rachel and I both auditioned for a play. It was a musical version of Robin Hood, with numerous changes, additions, and comedic bits. Both of us got parts, although my part had more speaking. At some point late in the play, however, we had a fight. I don’t remember what it was about. It didn’t matter too much, play-wise, because I didn’t share any scenes with her. It still affected me, though, as our fights always did. Apparently, it had affected Rachel, too, because on opening night, right before the play started, her Mom confronted me about whatever it was. I don’t recall her being specific; just that I’d hurt Rachel’s feelings. It really startled me, and I was nervous throughout the whole play. Afterwards, we had a bit of an awkward reunion, and made up. This affected our relationship because of the odd encounter I had with Rachel’s mother. For a while, I was constantly nervous around her mother, afraid I’d say the wrong thing and get in trouble. I never did learn what I had said or done to offend Rachel so much that her mother had to come intervene.
One of the times that we fought, I did manage to find another friend, named Laura. Laura lived a bit farther away from me. Not on the same street, that was for sure. She was exceptionally kind to me, but sadly, she moved away. We no longer went to the same elementary school, and that was everything when it came to friends at our age. Of course, we stayed friends for a little bit, but our connection quickly eroded. Later that year, Rachel and I made up. Our relationship was strained because of how long we were apart. The lapse in Rachel and my friendship lasted almost a year, and being apart that long took it’s toll.
For the most part, however, we got along fine, unlike many during the volatile fifth grade.
3
Middle school was awkward for Rachel and I, as it is for most everyone. We had both tried to get into a school that used a lottery system to admit students; High Tech Middle North County. We only knew about it at all because her brother went there. When the results of the lottery arrived, I was at my Dad’s house. My Mom called me, and told me that there was good news and bad news. I had gotten in, but Rachel had not. I was, while not as crushed as you might imagine, very disappointed.
The end of school and summer flashed by. Ever since the announcement that only one of us would go to High Tech Middle, Rachel and I had a small rift between us, growing larger with the start of school looming nearer.
Around two weeks into school, the unexpected happened. One of the other students dropped out and Rachel moved into their place. I honestly didn't know whether to be happy, or not. I had already established myself at this new school, and had a few new friends. I made the best of it, however, because I hoped it would bring us closer again.
Because of this, and the fact that our siblings went to the same elementary school, we carpooled. That arrangement worked well for us, and we continued to carpool throughout middle school.
For most of 8th grade, Rachel and I had another break. She had become close with a girl that was openly hostile towards me, and Rachel seemed indifferent. I was hurt and didn't want to be around Rachel’s new friend. The fact that Rachel didn't seem to care bothered me. It felt like she chose her other new friend over me, which really stung.
Near the end of middle school, the whole 8th grade took a fun field trip to Moonlight Beach. Right before we left, I confronted Rachel about the issue between us. I don’t remember what she said. It was something along the lines of: Oh, you've just been really weird lately. She even brought up my parent’s divorce, saying I was really moody then. We made up, and left for the beach.
For that day, everything was perfect. We built a sand castle, I made her into a mermaid, and I even got to spend time with my other friends. For the rest of the school year, everything was normal. Or at least as normal as a relationship can get after something like that. I spent time through the rest of that year with all of my friends, although a bit less with Rachel.
While I didn't know it then, my conflict with Rachel’s new friend started something that we still haven’t recovered from.
The end of school and summer flashed by. Ever since the announcement that only one of us would go to High Tech Middle, Rachel and I had a small rift between us, growing larger with the start of school looming nearer.
Around two weeks into school, the unexpected happened. One of the other students dropped out and Rachel moved into their place. I honestly didn't know whether to be happy, or not. I had already established myself at this new school, and had a few new friends. I made the best of it, however, because I hoped it would bring us closer again.
Because of this, and the fact that our siblings went to the same elementary school, we carpooled. That arrangement worked well for us, and we continued to carpool throughout middle school.
For most of 8th grade, Rachel and I had another break. She had become close with a girl that was openly hostile towards me, and Rachel seemed indifferent. I was hurt and didn't want to be around Rachel’s new friend. The fact that Rachel didn't seem to care bothered me. It felt like she chose her other new friend over me, which really stung.
Near the end of middle school, the whole 8th grade took a fun field trip to Moonlight Beach. Right before we left, I confronted Rachel about the issue between us. I don’t remember what she said. It was something along the lines of: Oh, you've just been really weird lately. She even brought up my parent’s divorce, saying I was really moody then. We made up, and left for the beach.
For that day, everything was perfect. We built a sand castle, I made her into a mermaid, and I even got to spend time with my other friends. For the rest of the school year, everything was normal. Or at least as normal as a relationship can get after something like that. I spent time through the rest of that year with all of my friends, although a bit less with Rachel.
While I didn't know it then, my conflict with Rachel’s new friend started something that we still haven’t recovered from.
4
Over the summer after 8th grade, I didn't hear from Rachel at all. I went on multiple trips, and was gone for a lot of the break from school. A few weeks before school started, I was back at home for good. I asked Rachel if she wanted to see a movie based on a book that we both loved. I was going to see the movie anyways, and I wanted to see if I could bring her along. Sadly, she couldn't come, and I went to the movie with only my family.
When it came time for everyone to get their new high school classes, everyone was at school. After getting my own classes, and sharing a team with only one of my close friends, I decided to ask Rachel who she had gotten. Once I had found her in the sea of incoming freshmen, we realized we didn't share any teachers. Again, I was sad, but not crushed. I would still be able to see her during lunch, and our elective classes, after all.
Turns out, it felt the same as 8th grade. To her, I didn't seem to exist any more, except for strictly school matters. I barely warranted recognition. I would wave and get a cold shoulder in return. In the event of a rare exchange, our conversation was limited. It was so odd for me, seeing her in the halls, and not saying hello.
I still don’t know why it happened.
When it came time for everyone to get their new high school classes, everyone was at school. After getting my own classes, and sharing a team with only one of my close friends, I decided to ask Rachel who she had gotten. Once I had found her in the sea of incoming freshmen, we realized we didn't share any teachers. Again, I was sad, but not crushed. I would still be able to see her during lunch, and our elective classes, after all.
Turns out, it felt the same as 8th grade. To her, I didn't seem to exist any more, except for strictly school matters. I barely warranted recognition. I would wave and get a cold shoulder in return. In the event of a rare exchange, our conversation was limited. It was so odd for me, seeing her in the halls, and not saying hello.
I still don’t know why it happened.
*Rachel’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.