An article they wanted me to put on for our newspaper.

The American Idiot

Newspapers, magazines, articles, everywhere…apparently, every member of the older generation frowns upon the present one. It’s one of those obvious facts that are not to be questioned out loud, even though we all know its one hundred percent false. I do not want to hide the fact I was under the same impression as they were, until I came back here. I was born in Miami, but went to attend my middle school in a different country… the older populace had clearly warned me: - beware of the teenagers.
I walked into Cypress Bay with an air of indignation, as I saw the silent but efficient and steady traffic of pot, weed and every other toxin available. I looked on, amazed, at how casual the conversation was between teachers and students. I was amused at the public display of affection; these events only seemed to strengthen my prejudice.
Well, yeah. THAT opinion lasted for about, lets say, five minutes at the maximum. Whilst I was too busy paying attention to the innumerous eyes that appeared to be snottily probing me, I failed to see the warm smiles directed at me. I eventually did, though. It was only my fourth day, and I had already made almost half the school as my acquaintances. I happily informed my teacher of my social-life progress, but she simply frowned. Oh, they’ll b friendly all right, she claimed. My complete fantasy of confidence crumbled as she explained how they might eventually take me in to drugs, and here again, I heard that same, old warning. Be aware of the American teenagers.
I waited for a week, but still no sign of it. Then I decided it was rather easier for me to ask them first… I made the first move. I think I’m going to start drugs, I told a friend who sat in front of me. Apparently, my ‘whisper’ had reached through out a whole side of my English class. Everyone by turn (animatedly) asked me if the myth was true. Family problems, I shrugged.
In the beginning, it worked like a charm. It was as if I had Orlando Bloom as my fourth cousin. I guess that celebrity feeling lasted only for about half a period… Once they realized I was serious, the previously known as “absolutely irresponsible and immature” teenagers dissolved into thin air as I saw the dozen adolescents emerge as counselors. I faced stern looks of disapproval in the beginning; but I still insisted I would do it anyway. Then came the final step, the most feared one, alienating. It was an unspoken agreement amongst them: - until I came back to my normal senses, I shall be a stranger. They had absolutely no need at all to do that. I was some third person, why should it matter to them if I ruin my life?
Then came my final act. I told a senior that I was planning on letting my grades drop. She first thought it quite comical; until she found out I had no intentions of sarcasm. She didn’t even bother going through the whole explain-try-then-alienate process. She simply demanded a paper from my teachers that ensured her that I had all my homework up, clean and submitted. She ordered that she must observe my report card before it reached my parents. If I succeeded in maintaining my straight A+s, she would take me out for one whole day, wherever I wanted. Movies, shopping, discotheque, you name it. Here again. Why does she have to blow a week’s pay for one day, so I could get good grades?
If being this mature, considerate, kind and helpful still earns our generation a tattoo that screams “rebel” on it, I doubt there’s anything we could do. A store may trust it’s cash with an adolescent at the counter, but it would still have a sign asking teenagers to come in only by pairs. Not all teenagers are thieves, I learnt it the hard way that not all teens are drug addicts and rebels either. If being this thoughtful earns them a name as the American idiots, I’m proud to be one too.