I met someone.

Something weird happened today.

Well, a couple of things. Firstly, I volunteered to stay after Criminal Investigations class to grade papers. I'm not sure why. I thought it might be good exercise to speak with people. And if I'm going to be comfortable speaking to anyone, it would be a cop. So I figured T.A.ing would give me that opportunity.

I wasn't sure about it. In fact, I'd walked out of the classroom and came back because I was scared. I had nothing to be scared of. In fact, I met a new friend.

Well, maybe not friend yet, but definitely someone I like.

She also volunteered to T.A. There was a lot to grade, so we were both welcomed. There was another girl in the classroom. As we were getting set up to grade, she fainted. Fell right over onto the ground. I don't remember ever seeing something like that in real life, but my first instinct was to run to her. I had to sequester that, because my cop teacher and the other T.A. (who I would later learn was a paramedic) were already there. Three people seemed like too much.

Anyway, she recovered quickly, and we got onto grading. The other T.A. I will call B. For some absolutely inexplicable reason, I found her extremely easy to talk to. She put me at ease, and I was also able to talk pretty clearly with my teacher. It was amazing to me that I could formulate complete sentences, and I was even audible. She's like a magician. She didn't even say that much either, but she was so open and matter-of-fact. It was nice.

I wish more people were as open as she is.

Anyway, we left the classroom together and I asked her about the other student. They've apparently already divulged to each other that they have PTSD. Apparently, the other student faints often because her anxiety is bad enough to make it so she can't even breathe. My anxiety is BAD, but I can't imagine it making me faint. I guess I've come close, but no way.

We started talking about B's PTSD. She was so open about it. I knew she had it before she told me. She's a veteran, and she was talking about how she had her pills in a Mon-Sun container in her car and she was put in custody for it. *If you didn't know, it's illegal to have pills outside of the prescription bottle in your car.* So...she probably takes a ton of pills to necessitate the need for that container, and she is a female veteran. Hello! A first grader could figure this out.

Anyway, my point is that she's been open about it, but she was talking to me personally about it. Someone she just barely met! She wasn't self-diagnosed, she had not yet used it as an excuse (and I doubt she ever would). I could tell, and I just trust the heck out of her anyway. I don't even know her!

I'm telling you, she's magic! And I hope she never sees this because she will be scared (anyone would), but I really like her. I look forward to seeing her again - as much as you can when you're me.

And my teacher was only a little nerve-wracking. I caught myself inching away when he turned his attention to me. Is it normal to stand really close to someone when you talk to them? I'm not sure, I hope I didn't hurt his feelings. I just...moved away. I'm sure he noticed.

Ahhh...social interaction. 23 years on this earth and it's still a mystery to me.