Root Beer Virgin [9.16.08]

Today I observed something beautiful in the eyes of commuters everywhere, for today was the day of the root beer float social in Silver Hall, and I was invited. I just so happened to be visiting my friend in her dorm when I discovered a commotion out in the hall. Like a first-grader during story time, I sat criss-cross-applesauce and listened intently as she told me of the so-called "hall socials". Assuring me of their mellow ambiance, she summoned me out of the room and into the root beer line. The first few minutes were moments of reverie; for all-intensive purposes, I was a resident, a "res" if you will. My imagination got the best of me, and I instantly created a secret life in some parallel universe. Preoccupied with my fraudulent back-story, I almost didn't notice the sign-in sheet floating toward me. However, once it reached my commuter-ridden hands, I was brought back into the realm of reality in which guilt immediately followed. I quietly informed my friend of my hyper-conscience and almost peeled out when the Resident Assistant recognized me and insisted on my attendance. Since I still felt out of place, I asked "Are you sure?" to which the RA fired back: "Of course! Everyone is welcome - even commuters!" My friends chirped "See?" in the tone in which they have perfected; one that says "I told you so" and "Hi, I'm an elementary education major" at the same time. The entire occurrence was a moment to behold; resident-commuter relations in the purest of forms. I left the dorm realizing that I could indeed have my root beer and eat it too. No guilt, no shame, no false identity, just one commuter whose root beer-coated dreams just came true. Moseying down the sidewalk, I began to wonder...why did my float taste so good? Was it because it was free? Or was it the cruel intentions in which I planned to receive it? And if I passed as a "res", would the float taste better? Could it taste better? Are scam-scarred floats scrumptious? Or is a sour aftertaste the only trail of a shameful secret treat?