Today is Wednesday, and it's been almost a week since this shell shocking incident occurred. Friday night, My best friend Macey and I were helping with a benefit concert for an injured Marine at our high school. Now, if you need to know anything about Macey and me, it's that we both live beautifully sheltered lives in the sense that we cherish any childish moment we can and neither of us have experienced anything too terribly "worldly". We are, for a pair of 16 year olds, the definition of blissful innocence.
While we were working Friday, two of our classmates came in as high as kites. We knew they smoked pot, but, seeing as neither of us are often found at parties or in with the "popular crowd", we had never really been exposed to people while they were stoned. We didn't say it, but speaking for myself and her, we were scared. Both of these guys are notorious for having high douche bag status, but this put the icing on the cake. One of the guys was completely oblivious to the world, and Macey and I couldn't help but wonder if he realized that his girlfriend was out with a bunch of other guys (we were later informed by our friend Kate). The second guy was like a more disgusting, more rude version of his already pervertedly nasty self. We both scoffed as he somehow got away with humping the floor in front of everyone that was there that night, his eyes red and his voice hoarse.
As I listened to guy #1 ramble about nothing and guy #2 run aimlessly, removing his shirt as if he had turned into Superman, I realized that I had no idea what had happened to us. All of us. One day, we're drinking Kool Aid and eating cookies on the play ground, the next, we're taking shots and smoking pot as someone feels us up in their back seat. It was a terrifying realization. I am not trying to seem "holier than thou", but I luckily, can not, or could not, until Friday, speak from even an ounce of experience. I know it's awfully cliche, but I don't want to grow up. I see people I used to be close to, and now they are just a ghost of themselves. Everyone is changing, most for the worst.
I can honestly admit that I don't like either of those guys, but when they told us that they were driving themselves home, and refused any help, I couldn't stop myself from repeatedly telling them to be careful and saying a prayer, begging God to watch over them, stupid as they had been that night. I couldn't help but feel a pang of joy when I saw them both Monday morning. I know they'll do it again. I know nothing can stop them right now. I know they aren't the only people I know that participate in this terrible, life threatening behavior.
I hate when people say that weed is "harmless". It's not. It's a drug. It's scary when the same people, three years ago talked about how disgusting and stupid getting high is, are the very same people who smoke every weekend now.
This may sound naive. This may sound impossible. I don't care. I am making this statement now. I will never smoke. I will never drink underage, and I may never drink at all. I don't want to grow up if it means being a part of things like that. My life is perfect the way it is now.
I totally agree with all your points. People don't realize how lethal their "fun" is until it affects them or someone they personally know. It's such a shame because they know that it's bad for them but they live in denial. I live in a country where both girls and boys are smoking pot from they're 14 years old. It's soooo sad.
ReplyDeleteThat is very sad. I hate seeing smart, capable people throwing their lives away. It hurts me more when they reject any advice I try to give them. I'm naturally a worrier, thought, so I mommy people.
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