We, Like, Like This Student

(One day, during the after-school recess, I start talking to an exceptionally bright student about middle school.)

Me: “Middle school’s going to be rough, but don’t ever stop being smart, no matter what the popular girls tell you.”

Student: “Oh, it’s okay. I can play the part of popular girl and still do well in school.”

Me: “Oh, really?”

Student: “Yeah, I’m a very good actor. I can totally be like, ‘Oh, mah gawd, guys, great!’ and then in class, ‘A, A, A, A…'”

Me: “Nice.”

Student: “And then when they ask me, ‘Oh mah gawd, how do you do that?’ I say, ‘Oh, I don’t know. I, like, do my work, and like, pay attention in class, and like, study! And I totally, like, care about my future and going to college!'”

Me: “You are amazing. Don’t ever change.”