In high school, everyone belonged to a group; whether they were an athlete, a theatre geek, an honors student, a member of band, an artist, popular, or even an outcast, it felt like everyone had someone except for me.

Beginning in elementary school, I became involved in theatre productions and musicals. I loved to be on stage and I loved entertaining people! Every year was a new play, a new character, a new song, but usually the same cast. At a young age, I saw favoritism and saw who would get the leads--these kids always deserved the roles and could sing like there was no tomorrow--but watching from the ensemble always felt crummy. I learned to accept my ensemble parts and small roles throughout intermediate and middle school.

As high school approached, I prepared myself for auditions for the high school play, a huge production that the whole town awaited throughout the year. I prepared a song, a monologue, and began hanging out with the other kids who planned on trying out. I had a solid group of friends from previous theatre productions that were all trying out, and we were so excited! The audition date approached and I became nervous, a feeling I usually conquered when it came to performing. As I was called to stage, however, my nerves continued. I performed my song and speech and left the stage feeling at ease. It was over; now to wait for the cast list. A month had gone by and the list was finally posted! I read through to find all of my friends' names, and as I kept going, I noticed one was missing: my own. It was a melancholy feeling, knowing my friends would be on stage and I would be watching.

As the play began rehearsing, I noticed that I no longer saw many of my friends, not the ones who were in the play, and not the ones I had known before high school. I started to feel like I didn't have anyone, like I didn't belong. I had never played sports, never played an instrument, and never been popular. The moment I realized I didn't belong was the hardest moment in my life thus far. I began to feel depressed; I no longer tried in my classes, and I was bullied by people I called my friends.

After sophomore year of high school, I decided to switch to a private school to help my grades as well as my mental health. This was the best decision. As soon as I switched, I began to not only be in plays again, but to play sports, be in clubs, play the guitar, and be the best version of myself possible. I loved my new school, my friends, and the fact that I could be and do whatever I wanted!

Although my story had an amazing ending, not everyone does. High school is a hard and trying place; it's full of mean teenagers and the unknown. I was fortunate enough to have parents that loved me and wanted to see me flourish, and I am so thankful for them.

No matter what, everyone has somewhere that they belong, everyone has a path in life thats just waiting for them to find it. Sometimes all you need in life is a push from someone you love, and a whole lot of trying. Trying new things, trying something you would never think you are capable of, and trying something even though someone tells you you can't! So no matter how hard life gets, and no matter how tough the road is, try something new and forget what that bully said. Be yourself, and you will flourish.