There is a small group of people in college who know the struggle. It is when you walk into a bar and get the thrice over look as the bouncer checks your ID. It is when you get that funny look from freshmen when you tell them you're a senior. And when you work at home over the summer, you understand the pain when you are asked what colleges you are applying to. It is especially painful when you are waiting in line at Walmart with three handles of vodka, a box of Mike's Hard Lemonade, an R-rated movie, and the cashier calls the manager over.
I understand, comrades. I, too, suffer from teenager-face. I have long struggled with convincing people that I am, indeed, 21 years old. I am able to vote. I am able to purchase alcohol and offer patronage at a local bar. I can even open my own bank account. If I were a gambler, I could purchase lottery tickets, or go to a casino.
I blame television. Shows like Gossip Girl, A Walk to Remember, and even The Vampire Diaries have paved a long and harrowing road for us of common people. We understand that Spencer, Aria, Hannah, Emily, and Alison on Pretty Little Liars have been in high school for like seven years now, so why are we expected to look older than them. Even Rachel and Kurt on Glee, who accurately graduated the same year as me, look far older than 21.
In my three short years of adulthood, I have made many attempts and sacrifices to produce a more mature look about myself. Unfortunately, none have seemed to succeed.
I remember using Pinterest to learn how to contour my face for the perfect “adult” look, and instead proceeded to waste my time and money.
Dyeing my hair dark also didn't work.
Shopping at Victoria’s Secret (not PINK) and New York and Company, also did not work. The baby face still shone through with all its prepubescent glory.
Yes, I will be appreciative of my teenage-face when I am 40 and look 30. And yes, it's nice to be treated like a child from time to time, but only if I'm allowed to order off the children's menu.
