Being real ~ yes or no?

'' 'You,' he said, 'are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe is why you're in so much pain.' ''

When I was little I used to be scared of everything. I didn't want to talk to a waiter or call my friend's mum. I was shy and kinda spoiled, I guess. I've always been daddy's girl and I became used to living this way. It was so easy to make me cry and hurt my feelings. I had trust issues and I felt like every single friend I have ever made had betrayed me. I wasn't comfortable in my skin and had low self-esteem. 

You know, there's surely this one person in your class that always, but really always gets everything right, have perfect grades and teachers seem to love her? Well, I guess that was me. My schoolmates thought I am a nerd because I'm just lucky to have semi-photographic memory and I remember things quickly. Also, my parents are kinda strict and they expected perfect grades and first places in competitions. I also trained dance and had a lot of extra activities after school. But schoolmates weren't mean to me like kids usually are to nerds, at least most of them weren't. I was nice to everybody and tried to help if I was able to and that's why they liked me. Even though I often felt like I don't belong there and that they are just using me.

After ninth grade and some events that ruined my friendships and relationships, I decided to make a change. I did something really bold and grand for me. I was extremely proud afterward and believe it or not, it really helped me. So what was this Big Thing? 

I went to London, alone, with a plane. For two weeks in the summer I took an English course in London. It was a really great experience and one of the best things I have ever done in my whole life. I gained confidence, made a lot of new friends (also from foreign countries and with some of them I still keep in touch) and learned how to speak English more openly because you know what? Others don't speak it perfectly either and I am trying my best. And when I came back I felt like something has changed. I was different and it wasn't just my stupid feeling. I felt like finally I can start again and become new me, the one that I will love. 

And I did. I really like myself now. What is different? I am surely far more confident and I dare to do things that I have never imagined. I dance at the parties, go out with friends, sometimes drink... I am loud and the one who suggest something crazy. It's really funny when my friends choose me to speak in front of the class or to do what we need to do. They say I am the loudest and the bravest. Guess what? It feels great. I like to be this person, the one others can trust, laugh with and confide with their problems. Now I am in high school and there are still cliques in the class, but somehow I get along with everybody. They seem to like me and I am still 100% myself. Once my friend told me that she wants to be like me. Relaxed, confident and nice. She said that it's really easy to talk to me and that people around me quickly get a feeling like they know me for ages and they can trust me and talk with me about everything. It meant the world to me. I was so so happy to hear that.

But even though I became tougher words can still hurt. Last week I went to a party. The theme was Back in Time: Disco. So glitters, neon colors and colorful clothes. I put on white trainers, colorful and striped knee socks, light blue high waisted shorts, neon pink top, and a black and white cardigan because it was a little bit cold. I also made two ponytails, one on each side and put a sparkling shadow on my eyelids. The night was great, really and my friends were dressed up, too. We laughed, danced and had a great time. I was feeling okay. But the next day...

My ex-schoolmate sent me a snapchat screenshot. It was a picture of me made by a girl, who's at the same school as me, but in a different class and we don't even know each other. In the picture, she wrote the caption: Like she's going to the Shrovetide carnival. She added crying with laughter emojis. 

Maybe it's nothing big and I'm just being stupid. But it really hurt my feelings. One single sentence can ruin everything you achieved and worked hard for. Why are people so mean? Why don't they think before saying something stupid? Her comment made me sad and I felt like I am back in primary school. Now I am scared to be wild and chill again. What if everybody thinks I am super weird and they just hang out with me because they find me funny and good to laugh at? Insecurity is quickly creeping its way back into my life. What should I do?

                                                                                                                         ~ Lyria