During the stage of adolescence, what is more important than who our friends are, what we wear, what gadget we own, what party we attend and when exam is due, what grade we get so we qualify to get that gift we got promised if we did well? But paramount on this scale of importance is our friends- that cool squad we belong to. Even though school work can be boring and difficult (especially if you are not an average student) just the thought of friends, the games, the hot gossips and the time away from parents keep us through it.
My squad was made up of Nana Kwaku (who liked to be called Nana K), Dromo (We liked to call him D-MO. Dromo was too local), then there was Kevin and Chris. We related with other boys and girls who were pretty our handsome in our view, who wore their uniforms in un-prescribed way like we did etc.
My parents knew my squad, and its associate members and their parents. But anytime I was asked how my school day went and I mentioned a name they did not know, they made mental notes of those names and will ask when my squad gathered around the car to greet whoever was picking me up or find the person during open day. I would ask why they wanted to meet someone who was not my friend. Accompanied with a laugh, my parents’ reason was this: ‘Because you said the person got an A while the rest of the class made a C.I want to see if his head is bigger than what you have’.
How annoying I thought that was. I was a cool guy. I did not have a big head. Apart from the fact that I could not make an A, I was ‘courageous ‘ enough to sneak out of bed at 10pm to watch TV when everyone was in bed, I knew all the characters in Nickledon,I watched E! and music videos with half naked people, I had the latest Nike Air sneakers and to top it up, I had an IPhone and a PS4.With time, my parents understood the friendship criteria and were disappointed that making good grades, being a bookworm and career choices was not part of this criteria.
On open days my parents will check out each squad member’s position. I topped the ‘WE 5 chart’ though, but overall, I would be 21st or 23rd.
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