I am addicted to Starbucks coffee. It’s not just their regular coffee, or any form of espresso drink for that matter, but instead I am addicted to their tall Mocha Frappachino with no whip or chocolate drip. It has gotten so bad that I am unable to start my school day off without first taking a trip to my local Starbucks located on Route 7. There’s something about that smooth, rich, and cold blend of the mocha and chocolate that provides me a certain amount of comfort during my first class.

That’s the first step right? Admitting that you have a problem? Everyone around me has noticed this little addiction of mine; there’s not a day that goes by that someone doesn’t ask me if I have had my coffee yet. There are certain days when I would love to drop the addiction, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Sure, there are a million reasons why I should stop, but the top two would have to be the cost and that it is, by no means, healthy for me.

The main reason that I continue to indulge in this succulent drink every morning is to avoid the horrible caffeine headaches. See, because I drank so much coffee my body became dependent on a certain level of caffeine intake each day. If I deprive my body of that caffeine I will have a splitting migraine by the early afternoon.

I know I’m not the only one in this school that has a certain love for Starbucks. Every morning I see at least five George Mason High School students waiting patiently in line to order their regular; be it a Mocha Frappachino, English Breakfast Tea, or the White Mocha with skim milk.

The true addicts have even formed a special relationship with the employees; a relationship in which they talk about world events, the upcoming weekend, or the events of the past day. Even if someone’s not a morning regular it does not mean you won’t find him or her the following evening at the "comfy" Starbucks, working on their homework or relaxing with a good book. It’s more than just their coffee that draws teens into their store; it’s also the atmosphere. As many of you are aware, there are two Starbucks located in Falls Church. There is the Starbucks located on Route 7, near Mason, where one would go for his or her quick morning coffee. The other Starbucks is located two miles down, across the street from Anthony’s. This Starbucks is often referred to as the "other" Starbucks or as the "comfy" Starbucks. The comfy Starbucks is where one would go to waste the morning away by enjoying their coffee, relaxing in comfy chairs, while reading the newspaper.

What is it that draws so many teenagers into Starbucks? Starbucks has become the place where all of the "smokers" gather before and after school to enjoy a cigarette outside the stores, but if you were to look closely you would notice that only two of the 15 had purchased a drink from Starbucks. Is it the white and green cup that everyone wants to be able to carry down the hall so that they can attempt to be some form of a rich yuppie? I have noticed more and more kids that walk down the hall, flaunting their Abercrombie and Fitch polo shirts with the collar popped, and carrying their $3.50 cup of coffee… next thing you know they will be driving a Volvo. Yes I have just stereotyped all Starbucks costumers, myself included, but there are many people that go to Starbucks just so they can be part of the "in crowd." They don’t have a regular order, or are friends with the employees. Everyone is just trying to be part of the trend, with no heart for the product.

I have been an avid coffee drinker since December 8^th of my freshmen year. I attribute this addiction to my best friend Stephanie. On the afternoon of my 16^th birthday she dragged me to Starbucks, kicking and screaming, and forced me to have my very first cup of coffee. At first I was not very impressed by the $3.50 cup-of-Joe, but soon half the cup was darkened. With each new sip taken, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Starbucks’ coffee.

I