In every friend group there are specific people that have to be there in order to it all together: the mom of the group, the major party girl, the flirt, the chill one, and the baby of the group. Each has their own roles, but no one suffers quite like the baby of the group: the struggles for us babies are so real.
Here is a tribute to the youngsters of the friend group out there, like me.
You will always be called "pledge."
It doesn't matter that you were initiated ages ago or that you've never actually been a pledge: you are a pledge. Being younger than everyone seems to mean that you have become a target for favors, mild hazing, and slight belittlement. Though it is all said jokingly, it pisses you off like no other. A perk though is that if anyone outside of your friend group calls you pledge there will be hell to pay. But, we're still waiting for the day that we move past the pledge stage.
The bars are your worst enemy.
A night out with your girls never guarantees that you will be starting and ending the night all together. You guys could all be having a blast and all of a sudden the bar is the move. If this happened before 11, you have a chance of getting in with them, if you're lucky. Even during the day when you're out at the bars for lunch you are forced to watch your friends enjoy a nice beer with their burger while you're left with your sierra mist and slight jealousy. You will feel forever excluded till that golden day when you are finally 21.
You go to a billion 21 runs before you celebrate your own.
Over the course of the year you see it all, as every one of your friends turns 21. You see your fair share of s**t shows, hilarious fiascoes, and questionable snapchat stories. Seeing all your friends stumble through their 21st birthday celebrations can either make you excited for your turn, or to scared to even participate in the tradition.
You are the designated driver 'till the end of time.
Being the only one not of legal drinking age means that you will always be on standby for designated driving. You are told to do this duty with honor because soon it will be your time. Unfortunately, there's no stopping the fact that when you roll up outside the bar in your pajamas, ready to pick up your friends, that you have become the soccer mom picking up her children.
"You're only ___??"
When you hang out with older people, it is assumed you're all the same age. But when you talk to someone outside your friend group, you are bound to get the "you're only 19?" or whatever your age might be. It get's annoying after a while when people constantly reinforce your young age like it's some type of disease.
Though we're the youngest we somehow end up being the mom.
The young perspective sometimes turns into a babysitting perspective when you are out with your friends. You pick them up when they fall and take their phone to prevent drunk texts. You yell at them in the bathroom to remind them that they are beautiful and to screw the boys who are killing their mood. You wipe away the tears, fix the make up and hair in times of need, and pounce on any rude guy or girl who comes at them sideways. You become their ultimate escape plan no matter how insane the situation is, so they can avoid an awkward encounter with a bad tinder match.
We youngsters struggle every day with the burden of being born late compared to our friends. But it all has its perks sometimes. There's always someone to buy you alcohol if you ever need it. Your girls will always have your back since you are basically the little sister they never had and can get drunk with. And when your time finally comes to be part of the 21 club it will be the most special thing ever. As much as you give to the group, your girls will always give back.
