Bush Baby

Teenie Bopper stared at me longingly from across the table. Her eyes were fixed squarely upon me as I spoke to the woman who accompanied her. She didn't blink or sway. All she did was stand there with her eyes on me. It was like a scene straight out of a horror flick.

There wasn't much I could do to make the situation less awkward. I had to keep a straight face on as a representative of the college, and deal with her tactfully. The woman who was speaking to me happened to be her foster mother. She wanted to learn about the different majors we offer at the college. I did my best to focus on Teenie Bopper's guardian instead of giving into her desire to have a staring match. She wasn't budging.

After gleaning all she could from me about our academic offerings, the woman attempted to engage Teenie Bopper in a conversation about the information she received. It wasn't happening. She had no desire to talk college in that moment. Sensing this, her guardian walked away annoyed realizing her attempt to inspire was futile. Unfortunately, this meant that Teenie Bopper and I were alone amidst the hundreds of students sauntering about the college fair.

Realizing that I was unwilling to do the eye thing with her, Teenie Bopper stepped right into my line of sight. I couldn't avoid her any longer. I had to engage her in a conversation.

Me: How old are you?
Teenie Bopper: 15
Me: Have you heard of our school before?
Teenie Bopper: (giggling) yeh
Me: That's good. What are you thinking about studying?
Teenie Bopper: (tracing me) You tell me..
Me: I don't know what you're interested in.
Teenie Bopper: Yes, you do. 
Me: (feeling really uneasy) I really don't. I can't read minds. Do you know where we're located. 
Teenie Bopper: (giggling) Of course.
Me: You've been on our campus?
Teenie Bopper: Yeh. Many times.
Me: Oh okay. For what? An information session?
Teenie Bopper: (giggling) No. I hang out in the bushes.
Me: Sorry. I don't understand. The bushes?
Teenie Bopper: (giggling) Yeh. That's where I take the boys after school...