Armadillo Syndrome

Armadillo Syndrome: The syndrome where you are afraid to take chances and do something you are afraid of doing what you want and dream of.

Symptoms- shy, afraid to be yourself around certain people. Afraid of being judged. When it comes time to talk to people or talk in front of people you shut down and get scared.

“Okay class, so I have an assignment for you before you go. I want you to write a letter to yourself, the past you, high school you, telling them anything you want, can be about telling them to be careful, to live life to the fullest, to not take this class when you get to college.” Mr. Ericsson says and the class erupts in chuckles and laughs. “But write a letter none the less, it’s due a week from today.” He looks at us with his finger pointed at us and his glasses at the tip of his nose, looking over the brim. We all agree with a nod or “yeah,” and he smiles. “Good. Class dismissed,” He says and suddenly the room is filled with sighs, bookbags being zipped and chairs screeching from the friction on the floor. I get up, stretch, get my stuff, and go.

            Wow, letter to myself. Ha, there’s so many things I would tell the past me, not to make myself not do those things, but to prepare myself for the aftermath, the heart break, the tears. I hate to say it but my parents were right. Love sucks unless it’s with the right person. I should have waited,but I didn’t and I’m glad I didn’t. I grew and became the strong, independent, SINGLE woman I am now. Yeah I’m just in my sophomore year in college, but I feel like I have grown to be so wise.

            I walk into my dormitory building and get on the elevator. I love my school, man, it’s perfect for me. It’s close to home and the campus is like a small town. I love it. I get to my floor and walk down the hall to my room. Occasionally waving to the passing people, I open my door and the smell of Cheetos and hair hit my nose. Oh yeah, girls’ night. I smile, drop my stuff in my room and walk into our mini living room. Our dorm is set up as a sweet-style where we each get a room , share two bathrooms , a kitchen, and a lounge area.

“Hello loves.” I say to my lovely roommates, Lana, Kacey and Erica.

“Finally, you’re here. You can do my hair now.” Kacey says and pulls me to sit down on the couch. Well alrighty then, I guess asking me was out of the question.

“Wait can I go change please?” I say and she rolls her eyes and shoo’s me away. I mush her in her head and run to my room. I change into some shorts and a tank top. I love girls’ night. We eat a whole bunch of unhealthy food and just chill and just be girls. Me, Lana and Kacey have been doing this since our junior year summer going into our senior year. The summer that changed my life and also the summer that I met them. Anyway, I walk back out with my phone and glasses in hand and sit on the couch. I put my glasses on and my phone on my thigh and start to part her hair to straighten it. I realize she has none of the things I need to do it.

“Yo, how am I suppose to be doing your hair when I have none of the things to do it only a comb.”

“Oh yeah, okay I’ll be back.” She says , gets up and runs to her room.

“Okay so how are you guys?” I say, leaning back.

“I’m fine, I got to see my boo thang so every thing is Gucci.” Lana says cheesing.

“Oh wow, how about you Errica.” I say rolling my R’s.

“Girl, this English class is crazy. I gotta write two papers in a week. I was hoping,” She says walking over to me and sitting down, “My bestest best good friend would do it for me.” She says and batts her eyelashes at me.

“Bestest best good friend. That’s why you failing English,” Lana says and I bust out laughing.

“Shut up Lana, I was just quoting a movie,” Erica says and pouts.