High school is often defined by its various cliques and groups of students, each adding its own flavor to the daily drama.
Whenever I stare at the photo frame of my classmates and me from our high school days, hanging in the corner of my room, I am reminded of these groups. They made high school fun, and I definitely miss all of us staying together, sharing ideas, supporting each other, roasting and opposing each other, and the little fights that always had the school principal shouting and cursing at the top of his voice. There were about four popular cliques in our class: the Cool Guys (also known as the Amazing Five), the Moms of SS3 (Pablets), the Wanna Bees, and the Pablos (Businessmen). Here's what each clique was known for:
The Cool Guys (Amazing Five)
The Amazing Five, consisted of five boy best friends known for their outstanding relationship. From what I gathered about them when I joined the school, their friendship had lasted from kindergarten to our first year in secondary school, 13 years of being inseparable. They ate, played, and even went home together. They were to my female classmates what Korean actors are to their female fans: intelligent, handsome, and great singers. Every girl in my class and beyond wished to associate with them and would do anything to have a conversation with them.
They had a bit of pride, understandably, with all the girls frolicking around them and worshipping them as demi-gods. Despite this, they could be incredibly nice and would go any distance to help out when they wanted to. They were the alpha males, and they stood by me and became my friends when almost all the girls in my class hated me because of my sister, who was a senior student and her friends too. My sister and her friends were considered the not-so-cool seniors who didn't give them any breathing space.
Sugar Mummies (Pablets): The sugar Mummies were a group of female students who didn’t care about grades or education. They were in school because their parents made them or simply to get the senior secondary certificate. Their interest was in money and guys. They could spend hours discussing boys, planning hangouts and parties, and admiring everything male. If you were looking to borrow stationery or complete notes, they were the last people to ask, they barely bought books, let alone wrote notes or completed assignments. Their school bags, or "escape bags" as they called them, were filled with makeup and casual clothes. They were the kind of students who would do anything for grades except study.
The Wanna Bees: The Wannabes were three girl besties in my class, trying to imitate my sister and her friends, who were a year ahead of us and among the best female students in the school.
My sister and her friends were pretty, popular, brainy, and intelligent, they were more like the model students of our time. The Wannabes wanted to be like them at all costs. Initially, they had tried making friends with my sister and her group, but my sister and her friends were not interested in befriending juniors who were nasty and rude. The Wannabes saw themselves as the queen bees of the class, controlling and ready to fight anyone who opposed them or befriended those they considered enemies, including my sister and her friend. They were the classic female bullies who wanted to be worshipped by all and sundry, with everyone scampering away at their sight.
Pablos (Businessmen): These students were in school to learn how to speak and write correctly in English for their business, or rather their parents' business, which they managed. They were money-minded, in school to study basic English and other business-oriented subjects. Think of students who are rich, worshipped by the Pablets, lacking common sense, not very bright, and believing that money is the solution to all problems—that’s them. They spent hours talking about various businesses, both legal and illegal, rather than attending class or studying. They would do anything for money and didn’t care about who got hurt in the process.
Of course, there were the bright students, my two friends and me, known as the Three Musketeers because we were close friends and always came out as the top three in the class. We just wanted to study, exist, and get out of high school. We had many enemies because some students thought we received special treatment from teachers. I wouldn’t blame them, of course there’s no gold without dirt.
When I look at that photo again, I can't help but smile, thankful for the different classmates who made those years so worth it and memorable. They remind me that high school was more than just a path to the future, it was a time of growth, learning, and unforgettable moments and if it was within my power, I'll certainly bring us all back to a classroom once again.