I admit, it was only a week ago that I recoiled at those who sniffle. I gazed on the snotty-nosed children with fear and slight loathing as they pawed at the items I was purchasing at Walmart. They were trying to get me sick, and making it appear as though they were just investigating my facewash and bottled water. They were trying to share their germs. I washed my hands religiously and sang the Happy Birthday Song in my head to make sure I was washing them long enough. I made sure to avoid touching my nose, mouth, and eyes. But my husband got sick, and I accidentally took a swig of his water bottle. Now I am one of them.

And now that I'm on the other side, it's kind of fun. Other than the sniffling, coughing and a complete inability to focus, that is. But I see the way people react to my coughs. I see the way people around me shudder when I have to blow my nose amidst the complete silence of exam time. I know that I have the power through my germs to make the end of the semester exponientially harder for them, just as it is for me. But of course, I won't do that. I'm far too nice. But if they take a swig of my water bottle, they're fair game.