Older People Are Not Always The Best Influence Testimonial

Older People Are Not Always The Best Influence

I have learned that older people are NOT always positive role models. My freshman year I had THE biggest crush on a senior. He was always nice to me and even invited me on a date. I was not allowed to date at that time, so I never got my chance with him.

Two summers later, I STILL am crushing on Mark. One day at the gas station, I see him back from college. He says hi, and asks me if I can go out tonight. He was just going to have a few people over to his apartment. I took a chance and said yes.

I didn't know how I was going to lie to my parents, but that was something I wasn't worrying about at that time. All ready to go, I tell my mom that I am leaving with friends. My two best friends and I head off to Mark's.

At his house, there was just me, Mark, his friend Jake, and my two friends Katie and Alicia. Things were going pretty smoothly; conversation between seemed very easy and flowing.

THEN things took a slight dip. Both Jake AND Mark get out some chewing tobacco. Jokingly, Mark tosses it to me. I am so taken aback at the situation that I drop the canister and spill it everywhere. The stuff smells really gross, and seeing them spitting all over the place, kind of turns me off. But I didn't want to seem childish or a loser so I went along with it and acted cool.

Mark and Jake then announce that they are hungry... so I quickly offered to go and pick them something up. I got to drive his car!! I was so excited. But when Alicia, Katie, and I get back, the boys were drinking! They had already had 3 beers each and were starting in on a bottle of rum! I was shocked! They proceeded to pressure us into drinking with them! The alcohol was really kicking into their systems now. They were drunk. I told myself I could handle them. What is the worst that could happen?

Mark was getting REALLY friendly with me. He liked me! He had me sit on the couch next to him and he put his arm around me. Jake was getting really funny and wild. He was trying to tell us jokes. We couldn't understand him his words were slurred too bad.

Mark asked me if I would like to go outside with him. I said why? He told me just "to talk." Katie and Alicia said that they didn't know if that was such a good idea. But I knew I would be fine.

Mark and I talked about high school. He asked me if I partied and got drunk. I didn't know what to say. If I was honest and said no, he would think I was just a little kid. I liked him for two years! I didn't want to mess up my chance to date him. But then, what would my friends think if I lied and had him think I would get drunk with him? He handed me the bottle of rum and said, "Go ahead. Take a drink."

My conscience went into response for me. "No. I don't drink. It is illegal for me and besides, it is not good for you. You're making me feel really uncomfortable, and I need to leave anyway." I went inside and told Katie and Alicia that my parents would expect me home soon. We all left and talked about how stupid Mark and Jake looked when they were drunk.

My friends were my role models that night. They stood their ground when offered alcohol. Older people are not always the best role models. You need to let your conscience, friends, and values guide your decisions.

~Tara, 17