It Figures

Two days from now, ghosts of my past will be gathering for our 10 year high school reunion. I'm not going.

First, I hated high school. It's full of bad, awkward memories for me. I cringe at the thought of things I said and things I did. They weren't bad, mind you - I've never been a bad person! I just have a skewed sense of embarrassment, shame, and guilt.

Second, with a handful of exceptions, I still see everyone from high school that I actually want to. And those people that I don't still see, but want to, are extremely unlikely to go (most graduated the year before me so they wouldn't be there anyway; Erin transferred in only for senior year; Jake, one of my best friends who was very much Goth; etc.) The rest of the people - and those most likely to attend - are people I'm very happy not knowing anymore. So the primary reason I'd be going is to see who got fat. And I don't want to be that kind of person, so that's not really a good reason to go.

Third, it's being held at a nightclub in the suburbs. Surprisingly enough, it's not an oxymoron, but reports I've heard from people who've attended indicate that it is as lame as it sounds. And populated by college kids. And they charge a cover. In the suburbs. Furthermore, the reunion lasts from 5:30 to 9:30 pm - who picked THOSE hours??

Fourth, we were invited via Evite, which is very indicative of the people organizing this thing. Very casual, like an afterthought. When Husband's reunion came around last year, they sent real live invitations. My year sent... Evites. And they're charging $60 per person, or $100 per couple.

So I'm quite settled in not going. I responded "See you at the 20," and added my email address and maiden name in parentheses so that anyone who wanted to reach me could. But the voyeur in me couldn't let that stand, and I admit I've been checking back regularly. And who do you think I found out today is going?

My Goth friend Jake. Jake, the 6'7" brick wall beast. Jake, who liked high school about as much as I did. Jake, who listened to Marilyn Manson and worshipped Black Sabbath. Jake is going.

I'm still not. But I'm kind of annoyed that he is.