Retrospective

Pet Junkie introduced herself to me the first week I was away at college. Classes hadn't even started yet. It was Orientation Week and we were on a boat in San Diego harbor, one of the many activities the school had planned for incoming freshmen. I was sitting by myself feeling awkward and uncomfortable and generally freaked out when she came up to me and started rambling on about how college was a social experience and other such things.

I didn't want to talk. I didn't want to deal with maintaining a conversation and generally resented her for casting a spotlight on me. And now, twelve years later, just the thought of that event not taking place makes me want to cry.