I’ve never been a big fan of PDA. The way I see it, if you love your partner, you don’t need to prove it to everyone else. They should already know it, and the displays of affection should be kept private, or at least to a minimum.
I understand serious relationships between students may grow—which is fine. To find serious companionship at such a young age is a huge accomplishment, even if it’s more recreational compared to a relationship later in life.
My only problem with these students is their inability to keep their hands and tongues to themselves in public.
Allow me to entertain you with a little story.
I was on my way to Mr. Wiemer’s room for fifth-hour Calculus. Keep in mind that the junction between the library entrance and Wiemer’s and Ms. Thiele’s room is one of the busiest intersections in the school.
After lunch, people are always pushing through there like they got better places to be, so you gotta keep moving. As I walked up the hallway near the junior lockers,
I saw a freshman couple. I’d seen them before, and I’m not one to judge too quickly, but after seeing how they’d feed each other during lunch, I wasn’t about it.
This hallway is absolutely packed, and as I was about to walk into Wiemer’s room, I watched this couple have a moment straight out of The Fault in Our Stars.
They stop dead in the middle of the hallway right in front of the TV, and she looks up into his bright, dreamy eyes. He reaches down, pulls up her chin, and, right in front of poor Ms. Ash, kisses her for what must’ve been a minute.
I know I shouldn’t care, but it’s impossible to ignore. The more I see it happening, the more confused I get.
Why can’t you just wait ‘til after school? How are you not embarrassed? What is in the stale air of the 300s hallway that gets y’all so in the mood?
Maybe I should be more accepting; I mean, they’re not hurting anyone.
It’s just unsanitary.
Let me clarify some things, as my word is law. There is a time and a place, and by no means is school an acceptable medium. There is absolutely no need for an audience— ‘nuff said.
Lastly, a direct statement to the freshmen in question: you are too young.
Most of you still need to finish the required health class, which teaches information that all of you still need to process. Forget the relationship aspects of the class; it teaches basic bodily upkeep that most of you still need to learn—deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo— all necessities that are not preached enough. If you’re gonna kiss someone in the hallway, you better smell good doing it.
Why is it that underclassmen tend to indulge in this much more than their older classmates? Are they seeking attention? Are they trying to make an ex, or god forbid several exes jealous? Or are they just curious about this new world of affection?
I did some research, and I came to the conclusion that I have absolutely no idea.
No matter how much I ponder, I just can’t come up with a reason to kiss someone all day in front of my friends and teachers.
It’s very possible that my thought process is a direct response to my upbringing. My parents tend to stick to the private side, and they share my belief in privacy.
Because of this bias, initially, I doubted my perspective and thought maybe, just maybe, that what these students were doing was normal.
I was very, very wrong.
I brought it up with teachers like Ms. Van Veghel and Mr. Thomas, and after a long, deliberate consultation, I realized my opinions were shared by most minds.

For Thomas, it makes him just as, if not even more, uncomfortable considering that these are the students he’s teaching.
As for Van Veghel, she has to deal with it every day in the freshman hallways. I know she has a lot to say, but for your sake, I’m just gonna say she doesn’t approve.
Please, for all of our sakes, just keep it private or knock it back about 50 percent. Again, it’s great you found someone you have great affection for. I genuinely wish you the best, and I hope you continue to thrive.
However, it’s important to leave room for whatever Lord you praise.