It all started in English class. I sighed as I stretched, ready for another uneventful class on another uneventful day. Oh how wrong I was. On that day, we were on the first reading of a book called Speak. We began the discussion with a summary of the main character, Melinda. I realized that I related to Melinda. Maybe a little too much... Melinda calls the cops on a party that she went to at the end of eighth grade. Because of this, when she starts Freshman year, she is ostracized. No one talks to her, and she never talks to anyone. She is scared of what people would say if they knew what had happened to her. She is afraid that no one will listen. That terrified me. I didn't want to be quiet all the time. I wanted to voice my opinions.
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As soon as I was back home, I ran to my room and belly-flopped onto my bed, buried my face deep within the fluff of my pillow, and screamed. Well, I didn't exactly scream, but one should understand the point. I was horrified by my own anti-social tendencies. How had I become this detached from other humans? I mean, sure, I had a few friends, but they were the only people I really talked to. I researched ways to be more comfortable in social situations and took notes. No wonder I was considered a dork. After only thirty minutes of research, I had over a page of notes and tips to help me become more social. Starting small, I introduced myself to new people. The first person I attempted to introduce myself to was a new girl in the Chattanooga Girls Choir. "Hi, my name is Lexie, welcome to the choir," I practice in front of the mirror, seconds before entering the choir room. I sat next to her and cleared my throat. "H-h-hey there, m-my name is, um, Lexie." I stuttered awkwardly, looking at her feet. "Look up! Eye contact is an important communication," I mumbled angrily to myself under my breath, forcing myself to look up at her face. "Actually, it's Sydney Alexandra Edwards, but everyone calls me Lexie," I rushed, staring at the tip of her
As soon as I was back home, I ran to my room and belly-flopped onto my bed, buried my face deep within the fluff of my pillow, and screamed. Well, I didn't exactly scream, but one should understand the point. I was horrified by my own anti-social tendencies. How had I become this detached from other humans? I mean, sure, I had a few friends, but they were the only people I really talked to. I researched ways to be more comfortable in social situations and took notes. No wonder I was considered a dork. After only thirty minutes of research, I had over a page of notes and tips to help me become more social. Starting small, I introduced myself to new people. The first person I attempted to introduce myself to was a new girl in the Chattanooga Girls Choir. "Hi, my name is Lexie, welcome to the choir," I practice in front of the mirror, seconds before entering the choir room. I sat next to her and cleared my throat. "H-h-hey there, m-my name is, um, Lexie." I stuttered awkwardly, looking at her feet. "Look up! Eye contact is an important communication," I mumbled angrily to myself under my breath, forcing myself to look up at her face. "Actually, it's Sydney Alexandra Edwards, but everyone calls me Lexie," I rushed, staring at the tip of her