Hey, girl it's me, three years later. I’m writing to tell you we made it, and it may be hard to believe now, but things got a lot better. It’s hard seeing past our small town, surrounded by peoples' small minds, but you've grown up. Now, things are good really good, and I’m just writing to tell you to hold on because it's so worth it.
Those perfect girls are gone. The ones who made you feel like nothing, and even though right now you might be crying about how left out you felt or about the mean things they said behind your back, in a few years it won’t concern you at all. If they said the things they said back now, it wouldn't even phase you. And while their perfect lives fall apart, your path becomes clear and bright, and the party in that garage you never got invited to you makes you glad because looking back time spent people who don’t want to be around you is time wasted. Then you'll meet people you never imagined yourself being friends with and you will belong.
Oh, don't forget the boy, the one you “love,” the one you can’t live without. Yeah, we are so over him. Actually, all the boys who only want to hook up with and treat you like dirt, they're still around and trying, but you are so over it. You’ll meet amazing, sweet funny guys, who actually make you realize you are worth something. One day, you will realize you love yourself and don’t need anyone. Then, you will meet him, and the reason you had to deal with those other boys for so long will become clear -- It was to get exactly where you are now, with him.
Those fears you have of not being smart enough for college aren't even a thought now. Yes, it's hard and yes some days will suck and it will take a lot of time and all your energy, but you're doing it. To the guidance counselor who said “college isn't for everyone. Have you thought about beauty school?” you can kiss my 3.8 GPA.
You won’t leave everything from high school behind. Your friends, the ones who always understood you and always had your back, will still be standing right next to you and never left. You may be afraid now that they will go to college and forget you, but it couldn't be farther from the truth.
Take every day as it comes. Enjoy the good ones and forget the bad ones because life is way bigger than high school.
Love,
The "Present" Angelina
