HS antagonism

HIGH SCHOOL ANTAGONISM

Bad blood, antipathy, and malediction are ubiquitous. Their presences appear in movies, in the news, in fairy tales, and in high school. The last comes bold, italicized, and underlined.

Like a tacky telenovela, high school is full of heavy drama. We, as the infamous protagonist, saw ourselves spinning in the wheel of life. In the one hand, we triumphantly reaped the fruits of our labor, enjoying the sweet smell of success. We delighted in pleasure and celebrated joie de vivre like there was no tomorrow. Drinking endlessly, smoking excessively, and partying ecstatically were the few dark secrets hidden in our sly shadows. On the other hand, we touched the bottom and tasted the bitterness of life. Failing examinations and experiencing humiliation, it was inevitable, much to our chagrin, but we learned to live with it. All from natural causes, those were just few of the rewards and the challenges of our humdrum lives in high school.

To add piquancy to our lacklustre existence, God created antagonists. They come in all shapes and sizes and pop up like filthy fungi. From the mountains of Payatas, from the graves of North Cemetery, from the mouth of Pasig, or even from nowhere, they entered our magnificent lives. They did wreck havoc to the world, did exasperate our nerves, did steal the limelight from the gullible, but they also did entertain us. Having them around was like a hangover: we craved for them, but once they arrived, we regretted the moment. We wanted the unwanted and unwanted the wanted. Nevertheless, let us be honest, their growing species added spice to our life. These beasts were easy to spot. They have discernible markings and telltale mannerisms that made them easy to shelve.

The Backstabber

Cautiously hissing, this slithering snake poisons minds—both of the innocent and of the ignorant. With a rotting attitude, a backstabber models an invisible massive B engraving on his big bald forehead. He divulges his friends’ secrets to open a conversation with people he desires but cannot have. When this insecure quisling attacks us, he is either envy of or petrified by us. Since we are a million times more superior to him, this coward will never say his lies about us straight to our faces; instead, he will just spread dirt behind our backs. That is all a pathetic backstabber can ever accomplish. Well, we cannot blame him for having a dull existence.

The Gossipmonger

Like the insecure backstabber, this elephant-eared creature needs tons of (tick your choice) rumors/tales/hearsays/scandals/tittle-tattle/cause célèbre/etc. to survive his insignificant life. However, he is much tamer and less appalling than his cousin above is. Eavesdropping is his favorite activity and whispering is his expertise. A Bombay merchant of the modern world, he loves to trade his goods only if you have what he desires—juicy gossip.

The Sycophant

Among all adversaries, he is everybody’s favorite. He adores you like a god. Fine, he is an ally and easy to manipulate. Nevertheless, why did he make it to the list? His excessive flattery, obsequious sycophancy, and blind idolism are annoying. Faithfully, this stray dog follows you wherever you go. He, then, turns into a raucous hyena laughing at every joke you crack no matter how clichéd, corny, and absurd it is. Finally, he personifies the Pokemon Ditto and copies your actions, your clothes, your brand, and your style. Beware: he will do everything to please you.

The Social Climber

There are no mountains high enough for this great pretender. Fast as a skin color changing chameleon, they easily adapt to different social environments. Life for the poseur is an ascending catwalk; as a matter of fact, they will never stop until they reach eminence and leave a mark in the minds of people both above and below him. They always have ready-made fabricated stories to share in any available occasion. Yes, his relentless pursuit of fame is really impressive.

The Plastic

Although hidden from a naïve person’s world, the species of this race are rampant and omnipresent and overpopulated. Wearing a beautifully crafted mask, he makes himself look the best by giving positive yet false ideas to others about his. People shall see the true ugliness of his personality. And he, who thinks true friends surrounded him, will realize that he has no friends at all. This favorite frenemie of ours is also schadenfreude feigning affection. Love it or hate it, it is not easy to burn and to melt a cold hard plastic.

The Parasite

A mendicant of high society, this leech sucks the energy of its gullible host. Participating in activities and gaining credit for it are just a few of his trademarks. Discreetly, he attaches himself to his friend or his acquaintance to fully benefit from his skill, talent, and intelligence. Once his true malicious motives are discovered, he leaves his host and moves to another gullible one.

There is a perfect synergy among all these villainous characters. Taking advantage of the sycophant, the parasite enjoys attaching himself to this servile flatterer. The thirsty gossipmonger, however, delights in the pretentious world of the ambitious social climber. Making our monotonous lives more exciting, the tension between the backstabber and the plastic are scenes to behold. They symbolize the bar of excellence in antagonism. Yes, they may be the wicked witch, the evil sorcerer, or the cruel stepmother in this fairytale called life—but just like all fairy tales—these antagonists eventually lose the battle in the end; as a result, we simply end up living happily ever after.

EMAILED LANG.

:D