All of my life I’ve either been the youngest, or one of the youngest people in my classes and with my friends. This (not so huge age deficit) has made me subject to countless age jokes and teasing throughout my high school years and in the present. The conversations all start off innocent, with general questions that anyone would ask. But then they turn into awkward standoffs that make me want to jump into a time machine so that I can hopefully look older for once! Sometimes it's beneficial to look young, like when I get away with ordering off of the kids menu and paying less than everyone else. But in most instances, not looking my age is a nuisance that I can’t seem to get rid of. Here's the typical way that most of my conversations play out.

1. "How old are you?"

"I’m 18 years old."

2. "Wait, you're not 16 years old?"

"No, I'm 18 years old." (Like I just said.)

3. "How old are you really though?"

"Well, like I just said, I’m 18 years old." (Oh, not again!)

4. "Are you still in high school?"

"No I’m not in high school anymore."

5. "Well, when are you going to graduate?"

"Since I’m not in high school anymore, I already graduated."

6. "Did you skip a grade?"

"No, I just started kindergarten at 4 years old, instead of the standard 5 or 6 years."

7. "Why do you look so young?"

"I don’t know." (Let me just ask my face really quickly!)

8. "Do you like looking young?"

"I don’t know." (Do you like looking old?)

9. "Well, what grade are you in now?"

"I’m going to be a sophomore in college this semester."

10. "Are you really going to be a sophomore in college?"

"Yes." (No I just made up this lie to tell you for no reason…of course I’m telling the truth!)

11. "Are you joking with me?"

"No I’m not joking."

12. "So, you’re really going to be a sophomore in college?"

"Yes." (So, do you really have a brain because I can’t tell!)

13. "But when is your birthday?"

"September, but why does that matter again?"

14. "How are you older than me?" (The response if I’m talking with someone a few years younger than me.)

"I guess we were born in different years." (What a shocker?)

15. "Do you get asked about your age a lot?"

"Yes I do." (You have no idea about my struggle!)

Then there are the miscellaneous questions that I get from customers at my job, people at the doctor's office, and even family members.

16. "Are you old enough to drive?"

Well, yes, I believe so, since I'm a legal adult!

17. "Is your mommy with you today?"

"No, I drove myself to this women's clinic today." (But thanks for asking!)

18. I haven't seen you in a while, what are you, 16 years old now?

"No I'm 18 years old now." (And I saw you two years ago when I told you that I was 16 years old.)