I had a teacher who asked me in front of the class if I would mind if he shared with the class a big accolade I had achieved. He was teasing me, as he took away my choice to say no in that moment. I was immensely proud and excited for that to be shared with the class, but also chose to take a jab back at him. I stated flatly “no, I don’t want that shared with the class.” Before I could say “just joking” or whatever, the awkward silence I had created made me panic and shut down. And after a few more awkward moments we moved on to something else. 20 years later my stomach still churns.
I kind of hope they do remember. There’s still a 20 year reunion to find one of them and ask if they remember. I’m able to mostly just laugh now. But my god, the torture of being a teenager.
I had a teacher who asked me in front of the class if I would mind if he shared with the class a big accolade I had achieved. He was teasing me, as he took away my choice to say no in that moment. I was immensely proud and excited for that to be shared with the class, but also chose to take a jab back at him. I stated flatly “no, I don’t want that shared with the class.” Before I could say “just joking” or whatever, the awkward silence I had created made me panic and shut down. And after a few more awkward moments we moved on to something else. 20 years later my stomach still churns.
It was high school physics and I had aced the final exam, which was the same exam used in the equivalent college course.
If it’s any consolation I can guarantee that nobody will remember that.
I kind of hope they do remember. There’s still a 20 year reunion to find one of them and ask if they remember. I’m able to mostly just laugh now. But my god, the torture of being a teenager.