Coming Out of His Shell

In case any of you were wondering, I am not shy. I just had to throw that out there to make sure we are all on the same page. If there are people around me for any length of time (save it the homeless on public transportation) there is a high likelihood I am going to engage in conversation. More often than not, this conversation will also be initiated by yours truly.

The thing I love about taking online classes is that I don't have to leave home and I can "go to class" in my jammies and braless, if I so desire. However, I will admit, the nice thing about going to class on campus is that I get to associate with my fellow classmates.

In a few of my classes I happen to sit by the shiest kid in there. Actually, come to think of it, in ALL of my on-campus classes, I sit next to the shy kid. Part of me wonders if this is coincidence, or if somehow I attract shy people. Or perhaps the shy people attract me? Who knows. Anywhoo...

The kid in one of my classes is finally coming out of his shell a little, nay a lot. He is quirky and funny once you get to know him. But mostly, he sits quietly, trying to stay oblivious. Well, therein dear readers lies the first problem. Anyone who has any sort of intention whatsoever of remaining unnoticed or invisible amongst a group of peers will do well not to sit by me. Let it be known that I will probably instigate a plethora of conversations over time. And while I maintain that much of my colloquy is insightful and perhaps even witty and clever, there are indeed those times it is pure twaddle, nonetheless humorous just the same.

So, back to the metamorphosis of the shy guy... the other night, he made a funny. He turned slightly red, and yet I could tell by the look on his face that he was somewhat pleased with himself. His mood was upbeat the rest of the night too.

Being nervous in a group isn't often something I encounter. And having funny thoughts and not feeling like I can share them is also a concept very foreign to me. It wasn't leaps and bounds, what he did. But I could tell for him, it was something.

So now what? Well, we are sort of the duo that makes fun of the professor from the back of the class. I feel like we have engaged in this mentorship of sorts. Who knows? I could just be the sensei that helps to mold our future president! Ok, maybe not. Probably not. But, I can't help feel like my gregarious behavior is rubbing off on him just a little.

His future wife will thank me one day. And that, is reward enough. :)