I think everybody has stories of being shunned when they were little, but I was one of those rare outcasts who still managed to have a huge ego about it. No, the cool kids couldn’t have possibly found me weird and socially awkward; they were clearly intimidated by how mature I was and hated to be confronted with their own failings.
This attitude went on all through high school, sadly; it wasn’t until I got to college that I realized that I could do with a little humility. (…I’m still working on it to this day.)
Oh, and for all you non-Canadians out there, Le Chateau is our “classy but still kind of slutty” chain of clothing stores, found at almost every mall across the country. When I was younger, all the ‘tween girls would flock there in an attempt to seem older and cooler than they really were. Meanwhile, I’d be reading R.L. Stine’s latest literary masterpiece.
Haha, too funny – when I was in Junior High, all the girls I knew stalked Le Chateau as well! I remember my best friend and myself – being the ridiculously poor kids – managed to buy this shiny silver jacket there and we’d timeshare the tacky thing so we both got to rock it out. Thanks for the memories…
I totally had time share clothes as well. Our non-classy options were Wet Seal (or if you couldn’t afford that crap- Styles for Less) Ooooh yeah.
I just stumbled upon your comics and though you deserved to be told you’re awesome. You are awesome.
I really don’t think you had an ego to assume the reason the “cool kids” shunned you was because you were more mature or intellectual than them. Most pre-teens are shallow and superficial, and do get easily intimidated by people who are different than them. This isn’t a delusion you made up to make yourself feel better in school.
But the thing is, at the time they don’t realize that they’re intimidated by the idea of not fitting in. They don’t analyze their feelings that deeply. So yes, to a certain extent, you are right; on the surface they did shun you simply because you were “weird and socially awkward”.(I’d like you to find me 1 preteen who isn’t socially awkward.) But it wasn’t your fault that they felt that way, and you weren’t foolish to understand what was really going on.
Then again, I didn’t know you, maybe you did eat your own boogers and never bathe, and it really did have nothing to do with being smart. All I know is I remember the kids like you, and I can tell you with all certainty that we disliked them because they were smarter than us and we couldn’t understand half the words they used, and they made us feel stupid. And right around the time we got to college we smartened up and became their friends. Funny that that’s right around the time you “learned humility” and made some friends, no?
Sidenote: Back when I lived in Canadia the cool place for the cool chicks to shop was Bebe. I remember there was a huge scandal because they priced their clothing based on how large the sizes were. Smaller=cheaper. Lovely store.
You aren’t the only one. That’s me up through middle school (high school was o.k.). It was more fun that humility.
you ever read The Boxcar Children? yeah… fuck my library
I know an 11 year old with the same type of ego – from a grown up stand point, it’s awesome to see that none of the typical peer crap gets this gal down. I wish some of the other “outcasts” had her chutzpah. Cheers to you, you prolly made a lot of teachers happy.
I love this site so much, it’s a little big embarrassing. (Also? It shows advertising works… I found it through a banner on QC)
Go QC! Er… I mean go FTS!!! That sounds like a game type… like first time shooter or something… anyway more power to everybody!
Nice comic! I saw this linked on Questionable Content and I’m quite impressed! Keep up the good work!
-Charles
I think I believed this too, deep down inside.
Great comic. There was a link at the top of Questionable Content this morning.
OMGZ *I* only read Goosebumps books! AND I had a huge ego about how everyone thought I was lame! IT’S LIKE WE’RE TWINS
I found you after you were freshly pressed on page 1 of wp.com (and I am sure your stats have taken a major bump that way) and I just love the way you think. Read through the whole blog while I was supposed to be studying.
Go KAT!
BTW: Please offer email subscriptions for us lazy bums!
<3 This
@Lissa – I was also thinking Wet Seal!
AK, I love your site! Did you also read Fear Street? Nancy Drew? Babysitters Club? Sweet Valley High?
I haven’t read all of your site yet, but I agree with you on #49. I do dye but I can’t really be bothered to do much with it like blow drying and stuff. I wear glasses and pretty much just lipstick.
Very cool! Keep it up.
You can find out more about me at fortheloveofcountrymusic.wordpress.com if you want!
Sorry Kat! I just started at #1 and didn’t realize the right name to call you. I’ve now read every comic and the about page. Love love love it!
Oh, HOW DAAAAAARE YOU not know my name?!?!
Just kidding. Kat is good, AK is good, too.
RL Stine…I miss those books. I’ve read more of those books than any other author I think. VC ANdrews was a close second growing up.
Hey, I love Goosebumps novels too! :) Awesome endings always.