Hey, 14-year-old me,

Bree here. I’m you from the future; well, I’m you in my present. You get what I mean. You’ve always been a smart girl. I’m writing you this letter because I want to give you some words of advice, and I want to give you some reassurance about certain things.

So, I’m assuming that you’ve just started high school. The first thing I’m going to tell you is that you won’t be over the boy you had a (massive) crush on all through middle school, at least for another two years. If he read this letter, he’d know who he is, but he probably won’t, so we don’t need to worry about that.

Second, you’re going to meet someone named Melissa, and you guys are so alike that it’s a bit creepy. She’s going to introduce you to One Direction in sophomore year, and you’re going to get hooked. You get made fun of, but for the first time in a long time, you’re going to be genuinely happy. You’re going to get close to Melissa and Danielle Savino (from middle school), and for a while, y’all will be inseparable. There are going to be a few bumps in the road between then and now, but they’re always going to be there for you, through everything. You need to know that. You’re going to meet someone named Kayla, too, and she’s going to become one of your best friends as well. Ironically, you meet her at One Direction’s concert on The Today Show. You two won’t talk for a while, but give it a couple of years; your bond will be unbreakable. Be there for her. (You’re still best friends with Liv, by the way.)

Here’s the third thing: in the summer before your junior year, you’re going to get feelings for someone you used to call a close friend, until they effed everything up; not just with you, but with a lot of people. You’re going to think about them a lot, and you’re going to regret not taking the chance when you had it. You’ll get over him, though; no need to roll your eyes and sigh, as I imagine you’ll do when you read this.

The fourth thing is, take care of mom. She’s strong, but she needs you and your sister as much as you both need her. Do not take her for granted.

Here’s number five: things are going to get better. I promise you. I know you’re depressed, and I know you have anxiety; I do too. I’m you, remember? I won’t lie; things are going to get bad for a while.You’re going to shut a lot of people out, and you’re going to lose yourself. You’re going to think you’re going insane, and you’re not going to want to live anymore. For a long time, that’s going to be one of the only things on your mind, but things are going to look up. Mom and Dad will finally separate, and that’s when things will start getting better for you. You’ll end up at the last school you ever thought you’d be attending, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised, because you fit in perfectly. You’re going to work in Sephora after high school (I know you don’t wear makeup yet, but just wait) and you’re going to meet so many great people everywhere you go. There are so many amazing experiences and opportunities coming your way, love. You will begin to find yourself, you will begin to love yourself, and you will start to feel free. Hang tight.

-B.