When we were 5,
the girls were fearless.
Running barefoot in the grass,
climbing too high,
laughing until juice spilled down our chins.
When we were 7,
the girls were kind.
Making friendship bracelets,
sharing snacks,
crying together over scraped knees and lost toys.
When we were 9,
the girls were curious.
Trying makeup in secret,
asking too many questions,
wondering why boys got louder
and we got quieter.
When we were 11,
the girls were fragile.
Counting calories we didn’t need to count,
calling each other “fat” as a joke
and pretending it didn’t hurt.
Fighting over boys
who didn’t even know we existed.
When we were 13,
the girls were mean.
Or maybe scared.
Starting rumors just to stay safe,
picking sides before sides picked us.
Learning how to hate other girls
before we even learned to love ourselves.
When we were 15,
the girls were exhausted.
Tired of competing,
tired of pretending.
Tired of shrinking into spaces
where we couldn’t be too loud,
too smart,
too different.
When we were 16,
the girls were dangerous.
Wearing short skirts with sharp tongues,
posting selfies like armor,
flirting like weapons.
We were still soft underneath—
but no one was allowed to see.
When we were 17,
the girls were survivors.
Walking home with keys between our fingers,
texting “made it” to each other,
knowing every boy’s reputation before we knew their names.
Still laughing,
still loving,
but learning that being a girl
meant never letting your guard down
all the way.