#trotskys

they say something about friendships forged in fire, and i'm inclined to believe them; because hardship brings out the very worst in people, and to be able to overcome that, and love each other regardless, and understand each other even though we've seen each other at such low points--i believe that to be one of the marks of true camaradarie.

look, i was a huge asshole durng luncheon prep. we all became huge assholes! ms mcmahon, usually such a patient, reasonable person who understands and appreciates artistic intergrity, became--welll. but--even though we were screaming, exhausted, paint-splattered beasts by the end of the first day, even though we snapped at random passerbys (not without reason) and refused help and spent the entire weekend in a haze of paint and pain--we were at ease today. we were comfortable with each other today. we were not assholes, and we did not think each other assholes, despite knowing each other capable of a level of assholery. because we understand.

sharing is, of course, an important part of any friendship. i mean, of course you must share love and care and affection and food. but difficult experiences are to be shared too; they're easier shared and they're better shared and--i think--we are better for having shared it.

unlike many of you, it seems, this kind of friendship is not...unusual for me. i--crave it; i adore people, i enjoy casual interaction, i thrive on physical affection, i love my friends, all my friends. but nobody but unicorns know what luncheon prep was like. i high-fived a million demons that day, and you were there to do it with me. that kind of experience, history, and incredible instance of mutual support cannot be artificed or replaced. it is unique. and it is unique to us.

yes, i have different friends for different occasions. i have people to shout angrily about social issues, people who will permit me to clutch their face when a new episode of young justicecomes out, or community or korra, people with whom i share drawings of cute critters and people with whom i share porn. some friends were there when i couldn't stand to look at my tablet. some people were there when my classmates were being bigots. some people were there when i loathed myself and everything i stood for. but all of my friends have been there for me at some point and you have all supported me and you have all made me who i am today, and i know i will always try to be there for you, too. i've room enough in my heart for all the people who've helped me.

and it is because of all this that, even though it was one of the most exhausting and draining and nightmarish periods of time i've ever had the utter misfortune to suffer through, i am glad luncheon prep happened. i am thankful it happened.

because exhaustion is temporary, but unicorns are forever.

so thank you, ridiculous high school tradition. thank you, outrageously unreasonable grade director. thank you, whichever incompetent fucking asshole invented acrylic paint. thank you for my unicorns.

and thank you, unicorns, for not hitting my existence in the face.