Miss Invisible and Mr. Popular

1. Selena

Sometimes taking a decision can change the course of your life completely. For example, in my case, deciding to leave my biological father probably saved my life, as well as for deciding to go live with the man I now call "Papi". Everyday life will give you a new challenge, however, the decision will always be up to you. My father was a big challenge until I met Lazarus, my school's coach who had recently lost both his wife and daughter. When he saw the bruises and scars on my arms during the school exercises, he immediately wanted to hear my story and wanted to see if there was any way he could help. The weeks went by, and he soon became my confidant, the person who would take care of my wounds and who would hold my hand when I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. When I told him that I had left my father's home and that I had been staying in a shelter he took me into his home as if I were his daughter. However, my biological father still tormented me through my nightmares and insecurities, and I knew I had to make another decision. With Lazarus' help, I started going to a psychologist because I wanted to be able to close my emotional wounds. I decided I wanted to become stronger, and I promised myself to never again let anyone hurt me as much as the person who was supposed to be my protector did. Lazarus helped me through the years, and not only did he give me love but he also gave me someone to call home and whom I knew wouldn't let me drown in my own thoughts and self-doubt.

Two years after my big change we were called to the tribunals. My biological father killed a mother while driving drunk. At that moment I was feeling an avalanche of emotions. On one side I'm full of joy because I could now officially call Lazarus, dad, and because I would now be able to have his last name. I was no longer Selena Garcia, I was the new and improved Selena Castillo, leaving behind the last rope that tied me to my past. However, on the other side, I was sad because I knew how it felt to not have a mom and now thanks to that monster someone else also knew the feeling. I was determined to give the girl my condolences and that's how I met my best friend, Cleopatra. Cleopatra is someone full of love and warmth and we soon became inseparable. Her British accent just makes her completely adorable and warm. We are complete opposites but to be honest that's the reason why we are so compatible.  While I'm short being only 4 feet 11 inches tall, hair as dark as night, and being of a highly aggressive and serious attitude. Cleopatra was extremely pale, almost an albino, she also was extremely tall having a height of almost 6 feet, she had blond hair of which she dyed the bottoms of it pink, and unlike me, she was extremely bubbly and social.

"Mi princesa guerrera, what are you doing out here all by yourself?" asks dad. "Nada papi, just thinking about how much my life has changed in the last couple of years," I tell him. "En serio, and how has it changed princess?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. "Well seven years ago I didn't have friends, nor did I have someone who worried about me as much as you do," I say. "Princesa, you deserve having people who worry about you, I promised to protect you and that's exactly what I'm going to do," he tells me and at that moment I know he's telling the truth. I will never have to feel fear again because I'll have my dad there to protect me. "Remember when I told you that when you fell, I would be there to pick you up and hold your hand," he asks, and I just nod at him. "Well, mija you're still young you'll make mistakes and I'll be there to help you learn from them and walk beside you, de acuerdo?" he asks. At that moment I didn't know exactly how to react, and my first instinct was to throw myself into him and hug him while shedding a couple of tears. "Now, now don't cry because tomorrow is your first day of school and I don't want you going with red eyes," he says to me. "Ok pa, I'll go to sleep then," I say to him. "Buenas noches mija, don't forget to program your alarm," he says while kissing my forehead.

I would love to lie and say that I'm excited for my first day of school, but I was taught better than to be dishonest, so I'll limit myself to just say I'm in a really bad mood. The first day of school is always the worst, in my opinion, the level of hypocrisy is unbelievable. People who in reality can't stand being around their friends are there with a fake smile on their face, giving each other hugs and squealing "I miss you's", all just to be popular. I just think it's a waste of time. In my case, I only have two friends and we wouldn't even say we're popular. Cleopatra is the gorgeous friend with the British accent who always looks at the positive side of things and Andrey is the bad boy with temperamental issues who scares anyone who walks beside him just because he's Russian. Me, I'm the short nerdy friend with glasses, who has zero patience. I know what a combo, right?