It all started when I was in 6th grade and I transferred to a new school, Holy Name. I made friends with many girls and many boys but there was one girl, Christine, that I felt different about. She was/is a very pretty and nice girl that always made me feel good about myself. I also felt this way about a boy named Justin, who I dated for a little, which confused my mind even more.
During this time I was discovering a new feeling about both genders but I didn’t know what this feeling was. All I knew was that it felt wrong but it felt right at the same time. Everyday I told myself to just ignore it because I thought I got excited over having a new friend. As a year passed and I was in 7th grade I became best friends with Christine, the girl I crushed on, and still had that light and tingling feeling in my heart about her. I started to understand that this odd feeling was something more than just liking her as a best friend. This feeling was love but I didn’t seem to let that fully sink into my mind and 7th grade went by like a confused and mysterious blur.
     Then 8th grade came and that’s when I started to fully think about the feelings I had for both guys and girls. It all came to me in that one school year. During that year I was depressed, confused, and overwhelmed. I didn’t know to tell people or let out my thoughts because I couldn’t put it into words. It all happened when me and my friend, Sydney, were at a park after school. We were at a small playground and had a deep and meaningful conversation. The longer we talked, the more comfortable I got. I finally had the courage to tell my friend how I felt about Christine and she was completely okay with my sexuality and said she’ll keep it a secret. A few hours later we had cheerleading practice and I could not go, but Sydney could.
     At the cheerleading practice that I could not attend, Sydney told Selah, one of my best friends, and Christine. She told both of them that I was bisexual and told Christine, in private, that I had a huge crush on her; Christine was fortunately completely okay with it. At lunch, a couple days later, Selah and Christine told me that Sydney told them I was bisexual and had a crush on Christine. They also told me that Sydney told her two friends, Emma and Kate, about everything we talked about at the park that one day. Of course I got angry and started crying I confronted Sydney about it and she lied. I went up to her and angrily spoke “Why did you tell Christine and Selah?!” and she paused for second. As soon as she found her words she looked at me confused and said “I didn’t tell them.” I responded by saying “You’re lying to me.” and walked away towards Selah and Christine. For the rest of lunch I was crying and embarrassed but luckily my two best friends had my back. That day, when I had the chance to talk to Christine, I asked her if she was uncomfortable about me having a crush on her and she said no. Everything after the drama resolved. Me and Sydney made up and everyone forgot about it. Time flew by and we all graduated from a small, Catholic elementary school. This whole experience in 8th grade was an emotional roller coaster.
     After the emotional events in the 8th grade, I had a relaxing summer and smoothly transitioned into the freshman year. Everything was great and felt so comfortable and I felt like I belonged. I made friends with a nice group of girls and I told them about my sexuality. Of course, they accepted me and did not mind at all. Everytime I tell a new friend about myself, it makes me nervous because I feel like they would judge me and not accept me.