As of 4:24 AM today, I am officially eighteen years old— an adult. I used to think that by eighteen, I'd be ready, primed with at least a few introductory "adult" experiences before properly reaching adulthood. I was naïve to think so. Instead of seeking out said experiences, I waited passively for them to come along. Now, I'm eighteen, with no driver's license, employment history, or romantic/sexual experience— not even a first kiss.
Yesterday, a woman stopped my friends and I at the bus station. "I can see your ass," she told me. I was confused. I was wearing somewhat of a pilgrim dress to my calves with biking shorts underneath. She said I looked like I was "feigning for some dick," but that I clearly didn't know how to get any, especially as compared to my two friends. She seemed to think I was the "ugly duckling" of the group. She told me to take my glasses off, to unbutton my dress a bit and to take my lanyard and headphones off, to part my hair to the side and to pluck my brows. "Your two friends are like J-Lo, and you're like J-Lo undercover," whatever that means.
While I have no interest in the aforementioned "dick," I understand what she was getting at. I'm inexperienced in the realm of sexuality and self-expression. My mid-teens were for experimenting, and it seems I've squandered them.
Still, I'm glad I made it. I can make my life my own. But there are things I still need to take care of. Like my laundry. Like my score sends. Like my learner's permit.
But I'll save that for tomorrow.
Comments
Displaying 2 of 2 comments ( View all | Add Comment )
s.c.o.t.t.i.e
BIG CONGRATS TO YOU FOR MAKING IT TO THE BIG 18!!! Becoming an adult is no easy thing and surviving the teenage years can be grueling. Now you can flourish, find interest, go on adventures, do things you've never done before, explore, the world is your oyster. You'll soon gain work experience which will open up a whole new world of knowledge, get new friends who will broaden your world view in a whole new way, you will travel and see places you've never thought you will see before, this is exciting!
I am so sorry that lady was so rude to you. Nobody should be that rude, and honestly it was not her place to make comments on your appearance. Everybody, no matter who they are, is beautiful in their own way. A comment that has stuck with me, and may stick with you, is that you are an amalgamation of features that your ancestors found beautiful for centuries. Your features, your beauty, has stood the test of time. So forget that lady for making those comments, because 1. it was rude 2. it was unnecessary and 3. she clearly doesn't know the art of self love.
For now, focus on what matters most: test to get into a trade school or college, your learners permit, your laundry, your self growth, your own version of what you find beautiful. Do not listen to what anyone has to comment about it, because it is none of their business.
Best wishes and congrats on this new and exciting journey!
Senn
Happy birthday! I hope ur year is filled with joy and new experiences that u wish for. As for what happened, im sorry to hear that; people are still naive to think that life is measured by achievements such as a drivers license or a first kiss, life is way better than this and its all about being urself, not chasing anything. So dont bother listening to any bum telling u ur behind and live ur life with joy and at ur own pace!!