depression

In a room filled with people having a good time. In a room swimming with music that's so loud it rings afterwards in your ears. In a room where the backdrop are old light-up beer signs and burned out 40 year old alcoholics, I was sitting there utterly bored. Utterly miserable.

Cigarettes kept lighting up. Lighters dropped on tables. Change and money in and out of pockets for a glass filled with bliss.

My hand was blazoned with a black "M" for Minor.

I could not drink, but did I even want to?

"What's wrong with me?" I kept thinking. Everyone else was laughing, dancing, hugging, singing, drinking, smoking, and a few playing pool. The crowd at the bar seemed more like my type -- less rowdy and more laid back... but being under 21, I could not sit at the bar.

Why did I stay?

I was designated driver.