My name is Mia and I’m a shy girl. I don’t know why I’m shy. I always tell myself to just get over it, but it’s something I will probably struggle with for the rest of my life. I’ve learned to accept this as part of my personality, but sometimes it just makes my life difficult. When I was a little girl, I was always the quiet one, which of course, meant I was picked on all the time because I would never defend myself. I concentrated on school work and quietly took comfort in the fact that I would one day be more successful than my tormentors. I remember sitting in class, working away at my assignments so I wouldn’t have any homework, while the other kids at my table giggled and call me names. “Just ignore them,” I kept telling myself. “They’re going to get in trouble sometime.”

The next day, a new student showed up. Her name was Nikki. For some reason, it seemed like she was sparkling. I didn’t know at that time that she was going to teach me that if you believe in your self, anything is possible.

Nikki ended up sitting next to me. She had silver hoop earrings, and a skull necklace. I was frightened. She introduced herself. She had a rough voice. Being the shy girl I am, all that came out of my mouth was, “nice shirt.”

Everyone was avoiding Nikki for the next few weeks. I was too. She was just walking around the playground, singing a song. She seemed confident and proud of herself. The complete opposite of me.

I hated the teacher when I found out i was going to be partners with Nikki and two other girls for the science project. But this science project almost completely changed my life.The other two girls working with us were named Trisha and Liana. They came up to me and just started talking. Even though i didnt talk that much, they liked me and stuck with me, And up into today we still hangout and I am “myself” around them! Im not shy around them AT ALL!