Middle Skool

They say that junior high is one of the most awkward times of a person's life, particularly for males. To the most manly lookin' go the spoils. And the spoils include attention, affirmation, a glimmer of fame and even preferential placement. So if you're undersized, a late bloomer, a plane Jane, or the like you better be good at something. And by something I don't mean French Horn. You better be an athlete, have wealthy parents who host your early-teen parties and personalize your invites or be talented in a YouTube-worthy sort of fashion. 

I was at my cousin's basketball game yesterday and ear hustled some conversations while observing the middle school animal in its natural habitat. Powder Foundation? At 12/13? For real? Hair, nails and flirtation? These girls are already in competition mode. Survival of the cutest is the rule. Well maybe not but it's certainly up for debate.

And then these boys, these males, these hybrids. They're like half child half 'grunter/snorter". I saw one complain because he thought he got fouled. He was competing fiercely, attempting to define himself with basketball prowess, sportin' neoprene sleeve and Dwyane Wade-esque Nike combat gear. But alas, when he had the ball stolen from him and tripped, he resorted to...tears. His dad hoisted him and held him like an infant in his arms. It was the kind of episode that would ruin a high school male whose machismo is permanently infused already. But these budding alphas are a mysterious, impressionable blend. They want an identity in the worst way.

The only reason I ended up on that campus yesterday was because my cousin hit me up like, "Hey, Norman I have a basketball game at South Pointe at 3:15 if you want to come." Translation: "Can you come, can you come, please, please bro, come man, I'm really really good. It would mean everything...!!!" I had to go once the interpretation came through. LOL

Maybe puberty is the most volatile transition because it's so tangible, so immediate, so public and so conflicting. Maybe we hated Junior High because we didn't have a tour guide through human development, a mentor/confidant to help manage the journey.