Life

"Some walk away, some are forced to leave, some just stay"

    I recall being a carefree teenager. That was also my first boarding school experience. My father's wish has come true. It's a fantastic all-boys school. We were educated to be disciplined, well-mannered gentlemen through a tough culture. It was instilled in them to have esprit de corps, loyal to our friends.

    A friend left us as time went. He stated that it would be best if he left. Purely for the sake of a brighter future. After all, we were continually thinking about leaving school. Isn't it true that tough training that pushed us to our limits made us want to quit as well? Some walk away.

    Play hard and study even harder. Some people didn't get the message, and it's now costing them and everyone else their happiness. After a year, they were gone. They claimed they had been expelled. We had all expected to walk through the graduation gate as a family, but we had lost another five people. Credibility and image are essential in this case. That night, as we reminisced about the good old days, we cried. The lieutenant explained that it was nothing out of the ordinary. This is the way things are. Some are forced to leave.

    I was pleased when we got to the end. We all came out on top. We all fought together to reach our goal. This pride can never be found among the nobility or perhaps the upper socioeconomic classes. You can be wealthy or have a parent who works as a gardener and still succeed. We've been taught since the beginning that only the best of the best are allowed to come here. It's possible, but I suppose it's also the case the other way around. People can buy their way in.

    Marching with pride to the graduation gate, tears flowing side by side with buddies, knowing that this is the final stretch. Thousands of people are watching, clenching in sweat. Facing our teachers and families I know they are as proud as we are. Our school days have come to an end, but our friendship has not. After all, some just stay.