Ian Bell- Age 15

As a person that is under the age of 20 in 2010 I am subjected to an unrelenting barrage of temptations. I am in a good place. My experience with banned substances is close to nonexistent and I don’t think that smoking makes a person better.

However, no matter how much it doesn’t look like it, I actually do care about how other people see me. Not everyone’s opinion matters, but for the people I respect, it does. Thus I do feel the slightest amount of guilt when I am refusing the package of vanilla cigarettes that my friend ‘borrowed’ from the guy in 12^th year that always wears sunglasses and doesn’t have a name.

The following is a scenario in which I attend a party where I refuse all manner of substances I have seen with my own eyes. Hence I do not have a witty excuse for heroin. (I am of age in this party). In addition I understand I won’t go to a party and receive free drugs. But otherwise this wouldn’t work.

(Ian arrives at the party).

Ian- Hello! Great party! Who’s hosting this?

ND- Karen is! AHAHAHAHAH! Karen is a major slut!

Ian- That’s not very nice to say. How would you feel if society’s double standard was turned on you?

ND- Whatever man! Let’s get wasted!

Ian- I think that might be a bad idea. I am trying my best to not become like my stepdad. He had a lot of problems with that kind of thing. My mom was always yelling about something being wrong with him. I will have one however.

(Ian suppresses some tears, gets a beer while ‘name deleted’ wonders if he might want to get some water)

Ian- I wonder who’s downstairs.

(He goes downstairs and enters a room thick with heavy smoke. People are lying around all over the place. )

Ian- Ok. Wrong room.

Random stoner- Dude! Whassup my brotha? You wanna joint?

Ian- No thanks. I don’t like half baked and I don’t think I want to be some poor imitation of the cottonmouth kings.

Random stoner- whatever man, medicinal.

Ian-  It’s not good for you when your lungs are filled with tar.

(Ian leaves, the stoner decides to get something to eat. As Ian heads toward the backyard a woman with dreadlocks comes near)

Woman- I like your shirt.

Ian- Hey thanks! You’re a fan of Pink Floyd?

Woman- Totally! You ever tried acid with that?

Ian- Oh no. Pink Floyd is already too deep. I fear that my head would explode. Also it’s 2013. The 70’s are over. Try something different.

Woman- Well, I never!

Ian- A 60’s phrase. Acid has been mean to her.

(Ian heads toward the backyard).

Ian- Hey! What’s everyone doing?

Random smoker- Nothing really. Want a light?

Ian- No thanks. I don’t.

Random Smoker- Why not?

Ian- I only smoke cloves.

(Ian walks away and the one or 2 Goth girls/kids around become impressed.)

Ian- That party sucked. I think I will just go do something else with some real friends.

End.

The important thing to keep in mind when you are in a relationship is respect.  This means respect for your partner’s space if she is not ready.  We know that there can be a lot of pressure in school to be sexually active, but there is a lot to think about before a person has sex: protection (like condoms, foam or birth control pills, for example); what you and your partner’s values are concerning pregnancy; getting tested; what she or you would like to do, or not.

Constant honest and respectful communication is the key. Only you can decide what is best for you and that same right should be extended to your partner. Regardless of if you have sex or not, it is possible to have a great relationship that is also fun!