as a child i was taught that PMS was a sin, that virginity was precious, and that the teen pregnancy count is rapidly rising.

i am 18 now, and i'm no longer shocked when someone tells me she slept with so and so. i'm 18, and i know that some people can have sex with someone they just met. i'm 18, and i saw a friend of mine get pregnant and give birth to an unwanted and unplanned baby.

i'm only 18.

we are only 18.

we are no longer children, yet we are still so young. we have grown too old to listen to adults, and we are too young to understand what they mean.

virginity may be overrated, but i'm determined to hold on to mine.

for now.