What Do We Really Learn In School

What is it that is really taught in school now?

Let’s push aside the classes, the tests, the exams. There’s so much more to it. The first twelve or so years of kids’ lives. I’m going into grade twelve. I’m in the International Baccalaureate program and there is so much more to the life school should be preparing us for. 

Review: Don’t Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

SECRETS.
SCANDALS.
ESP.

We weren’t always like this. We used to be average New York City high school sophomores. Until our homeroom went for flu shots. We were prepared for some side effects. Maybe a headache. Maybe a sore arm. We definitely didn’t expect to get telepathic powers. But suddenly we could hear what everyone was thinking. Our friends. Our parents. Our crushes. Now we all know that Tess is in love with her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That, um, Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper.

Since we’ve kept our freakish skill a secret, we can sit next to the class brainiac and ace our tests. We can dump our boyfriends right before they dump us. We know what our friends really think of our jeans, our breath, our new bangs. We always know what’s coming.

Some of us will thrive. Some of us will crack. None of us will ever be the same. So stop obsessing about your ex. We’re always listening.

Into The Night

One of the guys hauled in another skid, the wood perfect and with a grunt threw it atop the fire they all surrounded. For a moment, the flames lessened before consuming the wood and lighting up brilliantly. Eliana cheered with some of the others, stepping up to the flames once they calmed down. She could still hear the chattering of Tessa and Laura behind her. But they were easily tuned out by the flames. A grin spread across her face when she turned away, watching the light of the bonfire reflect off of them all in the dark.

 

She went back to them and sat on the bench, taking the palm bay when it was handed to her from a nearby cooler. Quickly joining back in on the conversation she basked wordlessly into the night. “El!” Daren interrupted her thoughts and she raised and eyebrow at him, “You are such a fire bug, jeez, pay attention. Do you know where your brother went?” “Yes, because my job is keeping track of my brother.” Laura elbowed her slightly in the ribs, giving her a knowing look. Eliana rolled her eyes, ignoring Laura’s grin, “He headed inside, probably for some drinking games.”

 

“Love your faith in me sister,” And a peck on the cheek followed by a hand buried in her hair. Eliana resisted the urge to swat him. But she was in a good mood, so she just took another sip of her drink. “Actually,” he continued, “I’m going to liven up this music and you’re going to help.” Again, Eliana found herself raising a brow. “Oh of course, your every need dear brother,” she muttered sarcastically. “That’s the spirit!” Then he leaned over and whispered something to Laura then he was gone heading over to a group and that was when she spotted the guitar in his hand.

 

There were three others with him for now. All bearing some kind of instrument, including, yes, a cowbell. Eliana shook her head but a laugh still made its way out her lips. One that immediately cut off when she saw Dylan coming up just behind her brother. As always, his face was set blank, but tonight there was a spark there. Which seemed to brighten as she watched him sit down and take the first strum of guitar. Immediately, the music began filling her ears as her brother joined in. Hell, even the cowbell sounded nice. It was when he sang that her breath stopped. Absolutely froze her and sent heat down to places she dared not name when he was only mere feet away from her. A smile worked its way on her face.