Nipple Action

Low self-esteem is a bitch. I realized that in college through numerous interactions with people who had major baggage. In my first year seminar, for example, there was a young woman (Nipples) who clearly had issues. We were usually in the same discussion groups, and each time Nipples would say some off the wall stuff to make it clear that things weren't quite right in her world. I suspected that she rambled about personal, inappropriate stuff in class because of a substance abuse issue. Nipples had the appearance of somebody who was strung out.

After awhile I got used to her random cries for help. There was one instance that really captured her mental disposition. I don't remember the exact topic we were discussing in class, but it was related to problems underlying inner-city urban education. Another student in the discussion group was making a point when Nipples blurted out something along the lines of, "when your uncle tries to rape you, it's gonna be kind of difficult to function in class." I recall being speechless. I couldn't believe she put that out there.

Despite the awkward bombs she'd dropped in class, Nipples was really intelligent. She was articulate and well-versed on a lot of the issues we were discussing. I got the sense that she was passionate about becoming a teacher. Her contributions in the discussion group were always provocative and sincere. I grew to respect Nipples as a classmate even though she lived in "left field."

The other thing I remember about Nipples is that she never wore a bra to class. I knew this because her nipples were always staring at me. Anybody with eyes didn't need an imagination to figure out what her boobies looked like. It was hard to blame her for showing them off. They were nice. The problem is that Nipple's breasts were far and away her only redeemable physical trait.

I got to the bottom of Nipples' story while I ate with a friend (Curly) one morning. During breakfast, I was sitting with Curly in the university dining hall when Nipples walked by. She talked to Curly for a bit before continuing on her way. Until that moment, I didn't realize Curly and Nipples knew each other...

Me: Yo, how do you know her?
Curly: We went to high school together.
Me: Oh. She's in my seminar class. Interesting chick.
Curly: I know she is.
Me: What's her deal?
Curly: She has all sorts of shit going on. She a nice girl, though.
Me: Homegirl be coming to class high as a kite.
Curly: She was like that in high school too. The sad part is she's still doing the same shit here. I thought she would've cut it out with a fresh start.
Me: You talking about the drugs?
Curly: Nah. She damn near sucked off every guy on her floor so far and we aint even got through first semester.