I just – I can’t believe this is my life now. I mean, I don’t even… whatever. It’s just so stupid. I’m 26, almost 27, and I feel like I’m stuck in some kind of time warp. Everyone here, it’s like they peaked in high school, or something. And I thought I was *out* of here. I really did. Got that marketing degree, got a job in the city – a *real* job, not like working at the diner or anything. But then the whole thing with the company… not my fault, really. Just layoffs. But it felt like it was, you know? Like I screwed up somehow, even though I didn't. So I came back, just for a bit, I guess. To save money, sort of regroup. And now it’s been six months. Six MONTHS. And everyone’s all, "Oh, it’s so nice you’re back, we missed you!" Like it’s a vacation. It’s not a vacation. It’s… I don't know what it is. I see old classmates at the grocery store, and they’re all married, pushing strollers, asking if I'm "settling down" soon. Settling down WHERE? There’s literally one bar. One. And it’s full of people I went to kindergarten with, or their older brothers, or their DADS, for god’s sake. I mean, I *could* drive an hour to the next town, but what’s the point? It’s not like there’s some secret club for semi-failed young professionals in the middle of nowhere. It's just... this. This is it. I feel so stupid for being angry about it. I mean, it's my own fault, right? I came back. No one forced me. But I just feel so… marooned. Like I’m watching everyone else’s lives happen on Instagram, and I’m just here, sort of existing. My friends from college are all doing amazing things, traveling, getting promotions, and I’m here listening to my mom complain about the price of eggs. And then she asks me if I’ve "met anyone nice yet." Nice from what pool, Mom? The guy who delivers the mail? Or the one dude who actually stayed after high school and is now the manager at the hardware store? I just… I want to scream. Or cry. Or both. Probably both. This is NOT what I signed up for.