This is the story of my past, the girl I used to be.
As a kid, I was really shy. I didn't always want to associate myself with anyone. I was happy when I was around my friends and I was just as happy when I wasn't. If I wasn't around my friends, I would be in my own world: drawing, playing with my toys and bringing them to life, etc. I had a pretty big imagination and never fell short on what I could do in my spare time; I was always in a world of pretend. I was always excited to go to school, and even had a plan after I got home: watch my favorite TV shows, and then do my homework.
I was never a big reader though. I liked it when stories were read to me rather than me reading them. I was involved in Girl Scouts and was always one of the top sellers of the cookies. I always had the goal to sell at least 100 boxes just to get another stuffed animal to my growing collection. People admired my artistic ability, and my ability in math. I got good grades all the time, all because I studied endlessly with my mom all the time. I always had a smile and would try to be funny just by doing little things that other people were doing, like bunny ears in pictures. I was an average, but different child, but remained happy no matter what.
Eventually things started to change. Around fourth grade, my life turned around. My classmates were starting to form their cliques, and I was never part of one. It didn't affect me at first, but it started to get to me after awhile. Everyone had their own clique. I had one friend I could talk to, and it was fun at first, but after a while, it got kind of boring. One friend is better than none, but one friend can be boring after some time. I wanted to be around other people, but I never got the chance. Sometimes I would isolate myself to see if anyone would notice, but hardly anyone did. I started to become a bit of a loner.
When I got into middle school, I was hoping everything would change, but it didn't. In fact, it got worse. Cliques were starting to become very distinct, and though I may have been part of one (sort of), it didn't feel like it because I would barely get involved; I would just sit there and do nothing. Other than that, I was getting teased and bullied everyday, mainly by the guys, and occasionally some girls. It wasn't serious, but I was a sensitive kid, so what they thought was a joke, I took it is an insult. It hurt, but after some time, it just became an annoyance that wouldn't go away. No one stood up for me. My friends just told me to ignore them. I was on my own, which made me feel more alone than before.
When high school started, the bullying and teasing stopped as well, which was a relief. But this was the start of a journey where I didn't know how it would end. Almost everyone was part of a clique and had cell phones, unlike me. I felt left out. I would always hear plans being made around me, and I was not involved. If I did arrange something with a friend, it was rare. As time went by, I felt more alone than ever. I almost gave up on my life, because it felt like no one needed me. But I was wrong. Eventually I found friends who supported me and I felt much happier.
When coming into college, I did have my ups and downs due to the transition, but after the first year was over, I was never alone anymore. For once, I feel happy with my life, like the one I had as a child.
