Dear Popular Kids-

I have always wanted to be a part of your click. I remember looking up to you guys thinking you guys were the prettiest and the coolest people ever. I wanted to be just as pretty and have all the friends that you had. So, that’s what I did I stood up a little taller and made my hair a little straighter. I know you guys probable wondered why I was always around and talking to you but I really just wanted to hang around the cool kids. 

See growing up I didn’t have the easiest childhood. I wasn’t the most popular kid in the group nor did I think I was the prettiest. Although I am not proud to say it, I often found myself trying to speak and dress like you. The more I tried to be accepted, the more I lost myself. The more I spoke like you, the less proper grammar I used… but you started to accept me so I was fine with that. The more time I spent away from my studies, the closer I felt to you… but for every step closer I got to you I took three steps away from who I was.

Once in the eighth grade, I made it to the top of the food chain and I was one of you; I had more friends than I could count. The entire school knew my name.  Little did I know, I wasn’t living and accepting the skin I was in. That same year I was given a assignment to read the book “The Skin I’m In”. At the time this book didn’t mean anything more than a mere grade. It turned out to have one of the greatest impacts in my life! 

I learned that it is not about the quantity of friends you have, but the quality of the relationships; nor is it about who approves of your outfit or how you speak. Life is one hundred percent about doing the right thing and being comfortable in the skin your in. But for some reason today I am sitting here writing you this letter felling like that same girl who just wants to be your friend. The only difference is today I’m much older and I know I shouldn’t fell this way.

But hey you guys get all the friends and the opportunity. I approach you all with smiles and giggles in hoping to make you smile. I’m once again constantly comparing myself to you. I really wish I could make it stop. Little do you know every time you share your great news and I smile and congratulate you I’m breaking a little more inside.

I really don’t want you to pity me I just think it’s time to let you know why … I’m leaving. You will no longer have to wait until I leave the room to crack that smile that I’ve been working so hard to see.

Yours Truly,

Ugly Duckling