I look around the room full of girls, all in medieval costumes, all talking to someone. I had friends too, I had people to talk to, but no one that I truly enjoyed their company. I don't have many friends, I try to make them but most people don't want to be around me. In middle school I was bullied somewhat, not intensely; most people just told me I was annoying or stupid. I wanted to be friends with the wrong people though. They didn't want me around, no matter how hard I tried to make them like me. I had one good friend, but when high school started we drifted apart and I didn't hear much from her anymore. Now I am in cross country, but everyone already knows each other, its hard to fit in. Everyone already knows each other so they don't really need me around.

I scan the room and see three girls sitting together, I've noticed them before, they are best friends. Always with each other, always laughing. I wish I had friends like that, I think to myself. Then the thought crosses my mind, I could. I muster up all my confidence and hesitantly make my way toward the girls. When I arrive they all turn and smile at me as though I could be their new best friend.

“Hi, would you like to sit with us?” Elizabeth asks me.

I sit down, and the conversation begins casually, joking about the teacher or our silly costumes, then slowly edges into deeper subjects. We talk about our hardships, the reasons why tears fall from our eyes, things in our lives that girls our young age of fourteen shouldn't have to deal with. The closer I became to these girls the more and more included I felt, the more I knew that they weren't like all the people before. We talked the night away about anything and everything. They included me.

Since that day, two of these girls have moved on with their life, but its alright that they have. They were there for me when I needed them. They made me more confident with who I am, brought out the best of me, and taught me that I could stand on my own. Elizabeth is still my best friend, and I thank God every day for her. Though I am still thankful for the other two girls, and I wish that we could still be close, we are in high school, people change; sometimes for better ,sometimes for worse. They all changed me for the better though, they held me when I cried, laughed when I made jokes and gave me a hand when I needed one. If I had’nt met them I wouldn't be the same person I am today. They made me happy again, and I could never thank them enough for that.

So next time you see someone sitting alone, ask them to sit with you. You never know what kind of impact you can make on someones life, and them on yours. That boy sitting in the back of your class who doesn't talk, all it might take is someone reaching out a hand, or that girl who cuts herself where no one can see, maybe all she needs is to know someone cares. Open your arms to new people, you never know someone until you talk to them.