Ashley was outspoken, fashionable, and the "Queen Bee" in my school.
I looked up to her and idolized her. I listened to the music she listened to, wore the clothes she wore. I even took art class though I had really wanted to take theatre. I finally fitted in 1 group.
One day, I skipped out of my last class a few minutes early to
2 seats for our group at the dining hall. Concentrating on my homework, I didn't notice they had sat down behind me. Before I could say a word, I realized what they were 3.
I listened silently. "She's such a loser," one girl said.
Another girl added, "Ashley, she 4 follows you, trying to copy you."
"I wish she would leave us alone. We were in the same summer school and now she thinks we're best friends." The once familiar voice sounded so 5 and strange.
I was mortified. My hands were shaking. I couldn't help crying 6. I felt heart—broken for the very first time. How did this happen? I 7 we were friends.
I ran home. My mother just held me while I sobbed for hours. The advice she gave was so 8, and I had heard it a million times. "Just be yourself and people will like you for 9you are." This time it became so profound. Then and there I 10 to find myself back. That was exactly—what I did.
Over the next month, I went through a lot of 11. I bought new clothes that I wanted to wear. I no longer went to art class 12 them, and took theatre. I began making new friends. I developed my own 13 and never again followed the crowd.
I had an amazing school year. 14 I look back, I think it was the year when I discovered the person I was going to be. Despite the pain I felt that day, it was a 15 they had given me.
