Switching schools at such a premature age really doesn’t seem like such a big issue, does it? You’re young, you aren’t supposed to understand what’s actually going on. You’re supposed to go in on the first day, complete the icebreakers, try to spark a friendship with the girl or guy next to you, etc... But then, there’s the few children who begin to mature a little bit early. The ones with the “hidden A”. When you know exactly what’s going on, it’s difficult to become blind to it and just shut it all out. So you sit and wonder what the people around you are thinking. You’re now the “new girl."

So you just do you. Not only are you being academically educated, but you’re becoming socially educated; learning your surroundings. You begin to see what this one does or how this one speaks or what this one wears. Then it progresses. You start to fade away from your originality, just to be like everyone else... just to fit in. But not everything is meant to be.

I really just want to make it clear that you don’t HAVE to be part of a “Fantastic Five” with a bunch of people you don’t feel comfortable around or are worried to be around and act yourself. I agree that it’s not a good thing to isolate yourself, not only am I applying that to middle school which I’m speaking about but in reference to future encounters. Reaching out to others and trying to make friends is one of the best capabilities we all have in our lives. Some are active and some are not active, myself included in that last category. It’s hard for those who aren’t good at public or social encounters or just looking to the person next to you and sparking conversation, especially if it’s something so different from what you just came from. It sounds so cliché but pretending to be someone you’re not doesn’t always benefit you. At some point, someone’s going to realize what you’re doing whether or not it’s someone else or yourself. I spent my whole middle school experience doing what I could to fit in with the girls I studied with but being my original self at the same time. Unfortunately, that never worked out just perfect for me, but thinking back to then, what I have now is better than anything I was working towards.