I've got it. I now finally understand why I am beginning to despise school much.

It's my final year at school, and so I should really be having a ball. I'm only doing three subjects, which leaves me with quite a lot of free time, which is great. Final year at school. Should be having a great time. Skiving around and having a laugh. Not so.

And so why is this not the case, I hear you ask? Well, today I figured it out. Sitting down in the social area, staring into that nothingness that I often do, I got it. Prepare yourselves for a little story...

It's August, and it's just before our exam results come through. My friend's girlfriend finds out that he's been cheating on her. With his ex-girlfriend, who I have to say is not very attractive at all - in my view, nothing compared to what the girl who has been cheated on is. She's distraught, and yet she forgives him for what he's done ("I love him, and he's genuinely sorry", or bullshit words to that effect. Poor girl's wrapped round his finger). Anyway, she now totally despises the girl that he cheated with. And vice versa. Thing is, the girl that he was cheating with is one of my best friend's friend. What do I do?

Fast forward to now, and it's approaching three months since she found out. Since then, she's been informed that he cheated on her more than once (that 5-8 times I told you about before, and this is another lie by him). Also since then, the atmosphere has been hostile at best. Both girls talking about the other one behind their backs. Really hurtful, spiteful comments. It isn't even little jokey things. This is hatred. And here's me, drifting between groups, having to listen to all the moans and slagging going on. All rather petty, yet really, really hurtful. Tinged with absolute hatred.

What do I do when they're talking like this? Well, I say nothing. I simply smile and nod in agreement, not causing a fuss. Yet today, I truly figured out how much the whole business has been affecting me without me noticing it. I hate people saying really hurtful things about people. I hate arguing. And yet this has been going on, between my two groups of friends (although the two groups are not friends), for nigh on three months. Continually. And seemingly unrelenting. It's really getting me down. Seems like every day they're moaning about the other one.

And so that's the story of my school year. My final school year, and I'm hating it. That combined with the usual girl trouble (which may end soon, although I'll probably get talked about and torn between the groups even more so than I am at the moment if I do go out with her), and general boredom at school.

Why can't I just leave?

Tibby - My problems are trivial compared to some of the ones I hear on here though! There's no two ways about it - it humbles me a great deal when I come on here and see some of the problems you guys encounter. I know my problems are still problems, but I should be grateful that they're not as serious as some people's. Chin up Tibs - it'll be ok in the end! And you definitely AREN'T stupid...

Ah well...