High School’s Second Language

My wonderful english teacher stood, eagerly dissecting the first page of Edith Warton's Age of Innocence to her class of bored high school juniors. That was, until she asked our class a simple question.

"As you can see, the norms of elite New York society required speaking in another language, a secret language made of small motions and signals. Think of it like high school, right? Don't you guys have a secret language to get into the party scene here?"

The class woke up then, slowly nodding to answer her question.

I was confused about what she was talking about.

"....Y'know what, raise your hand if you have a secret language within your grade.... I can already see you guys making eye contact and throwing glances."

Everyone else had risen their hand.

And then it hit me. There is another high school language, one of social norms.

One of signals and conversations through glances and eye movements and social media posts.

One of how to get invited places

One of whether or not you can sit at this table.

One of flirting and judging.

One you have to spend a lifetime in to understand.

One I had not learned how to speak.