People say that high school is the best four years of your life. They couldn't be more wrong. In my time in high school, I had some of the worst experiences.

It all really started my sophomore year. I felt worthless and thought that there was nothing going for me. No one would care if I was gone. I barely had any friends and I drifted apart from the friends I did have. At the time, I was very quiet and I kept to myself. I would wait for people to make the effort, which never really happened. The only people who would care is my family, but I wanted more than that.

I stopped caring about everything, giving up especially on school. I would "forget" to set my alarm just so I could avoid going. My grades were slipping, as well. To me, there was no point, I wasn't going to get anywhere in life.

My self-esteem was at an all-time low. I hated myself and the way I looked. I saw myself as short, ugly and fat, with big poofy hair. I had the glasses, braces and a bit of extra weight in the stomach. What I really wanted was love and validation from my peers. In the hallways I would see couples holding hands, kissing and hugging. I cannot tell you how badly I wanted that. I wanted someone to feel the same way about me that I did to them.

My mom noticed that something was wrong and I told her how I felt. She took me to see a therapist. I really got along with him and would see him every week. Even so, I was still feeling depressed.

One morning, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to end it all. I had a certain way I wanted to do it and everything. My mom threatened to take me to a psych ward for a 72-hour observation if I even attempted and boy I was close. To me, that threat made it seem like she didn't care. I'm feeling so vulnerable, so worthless and she wants to send me away?? That's the last thing I felt like I needed.

Instead, she sent me to my therapist, who helped me calm down and talked to me. He really helped and I can't thank him enough.

By the time the end of my sophomore year came around, everything changed for the better. I was prescribed antidepressants and would see my therapist, as well as the school therapist, which helped a lot. My grades improved drastically and I ended up receiving honor roll during the last marking period.

Looking back five years later, I don't think I would've actually done anything. In the back of my mind at the time, I had my younger brother in mind. He adored me and he would've been so devastated if I did anything. That's what kept me going. I'd like to think he saved me.

Currently, I am a junior in college going for my bachelor's, as well as working part time. I have friends, and, actually, I've met a majority of them online. Social media like Tumblr and Twitter was what I turned to at my worst. I felt safe and felt much more comfortable online than at school. As for guys, well, let's just say I have that feeling that I lied for all those years ago.

My self-esteem is much better. I lost the braces, and I've learned to appreciate my height and love my curls.

I'm not going to lie, I still have times where I feel depressed and down, but not as bad as I did before. I know that I have people who love and care for me. They would be devastated if something happened to me.

It will get better, and I'm living proof of that.