Grade School Reunion!

A nice guy I went to grade school with, organized an unofficial class reunion at our Catholic school annual event. Because we have kept in touch and actually live near each other, I decided to attend. I’m not the most social, and our graduating class was small – only about 30 of us. I knew if there were too many no-shows, he and his wife would be disappointed. He kept up with texts to give a tally of attendees. He also was hoping that I and my fiancé would be sitting with him and his wife. I said of course! For me it was great to asked to sit with him. (You’ll see why below!)

The Clique

Yes, the clique. A group of five girls – only TWO of which were pretty, wreaked havoc on us less fortunate. They walked in unison on the playground and snickered mercilessly about those outside their circle. Two of the girls were chubby and homely – I mean ugly, yet they felt empowered by their privileged upbringing and included by the clique leader. They targeted me, mostly behind my back. They were two-faced, always putting on fronts to save face. Yes, it was awful. But as a lonely girl – typical Gen X left totally alone at home, some weeknights until 9 P.M., it was all I knew. {Flash forward to my first day at a public high school. I knew no one. Remember, I was coming from a small private school, now thrust upon to me, a huge school with all ages in certain ‘period’ classes. I was very shy. When lunch came, I didn’t know what to do. I felt more than awkward. I was under stress and anxiety. Then, I spotted the two homily clique girls. My mistake was thinking we are all in the same boat. I sat next to one of the girls. We’ll call her Jane. The other we’ll call Amy, who sat across from her. I said: “Hey, Jane.” She gave a lame “Hey.” Both girls had packed their lunch. Jane didn’t even face me. She took a bite of her apple and looked at Amy. Amy rolled her eyes. Not a glutton for punishment, I said, “I’m going,” and left. I never, ever spoke to them nor looked at them again.}

The School Annual Event

This was a hall next to the Church and school used for various fundraisers. This Saturday was the dinner with margaritas and a live band. Parishioners of all ages were there, but our classmate and organizer we’ll call him Matt, tried his best to procure as many tables as he could for our reunion. He and his wife were there early and hoping for a good turnout. Well…on the guy side, only three were no-shows. According to Matt, one adamantly refused to come – he was bullied by those girls- and the other two declined. On the girls’ side – wait for it – only six showed! Two former classmates moved out of state, and could not attend, two others refused to come – they were bullied too, and one other, my only grade school friend, had died from cancer 5 years prior. And the big one – one of their own from the clique did not show, nor respond to the invitation. She was the ONLY one from the clique who was compassionate to the others, was the prettiest, and most often was sneered at by the homily jealous Amy and Jane! Everyone knew it, and even she knew it but told me at the time that she liked the OTHER two clique girls. In her defense, she married into a family who built a very successful tool machining company and her, and her husband were running the company. All of this, much to the chagrin of her former clique colleagues.

Schadenfraude

Wow! Did that clique girls look bad… let’s start with leader clique. She aged drastically. And her husband – fat and bald, disgusting – and he was bald when she married him. Even Matt said she looked rode hard and put away wet! The clique girl #2, obese like huge female gut overhanging her waist – gross! Now the ridiculous Amy. Her natty hair was kin to Thing #1 or #2! Added bonus of still being obese and wearing – wait for it – stretchy neon green pants! Yuck! Plus, she’s a spinster and a rumored lesbian {still closeted so she can attend Mass}. As for Jane, yes still homely, though she trimmed down, but as Matt said, she put her make-up on with a trowel! And her husband – a bald, fat, cross-eyed troll! It was hilarious!

My Entrance

By a turn of fate, I had picked up an old book and tucked inside it was a vintage newspaper clipping. I immediately recognized it as another non – clique classmate’s older sister. I brought it with me in hopes of seeing her. No sooner did I and my fiancé cross the threshold and she was there. I immediately handed her the envelope. She exclaimed: “Where did you get this!” After explaining, it turns out both of her sisters were there, too. It caused a festive scene right at the entrance – it was grand. After saying hello to Matt and his wife, an upper classmate gestured behind me. “Who’s that?”

My Fiance

Yes, it was my man. He’s the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. I introduced him. Matt and his wife had already met him, of course, but no one else had. Those clique girls by the way, wouldn’t even acknowledge Amy. Hmm…we suspect due to the lesbian murmurings. But the three remaining girls…Jane kept staring right at me, I ignored her. Amy gave me a slight wave, I just nodded. I did say hello to the leader. Why? A few years prior she told Matt she’d like to see me. I ran into her and she apologized by saying:” We were just kids.” So, for me that was closure. She was forgiven. The other clique member there, I did talk to. Why? I felt sorry for her. Her huge gut, her aged crude drunk husband, I took pity. But – Jane with her stare. Later, when I was getting ready to leave, I walked toward the three clique girls (Amy was not invited!) Instead of them looking at me approaching – for the path was clear – oh, no. They never even looked me in the eyes, instead all three were looking right at my man. Trying to place him? Possibly, but more than likely wondering who this tall handsome man was. And how did SHE wind up with him? It was the ultimate win. I think that I did win.