Fatma

Yesterday, I put an end to my constant moaning and complaining, and actually followed through with my plans and hung out with my friends.

We went to a shopping centre: I bought a few vinyls and CDs, and they bought clothes. I had a great time. I feel really proud of myself for initiating the trip, especially given my huge fear of rejection. Everything turned out OK, and I can say that it was one of the first times where I actually felt “normal.” I kind of felt like the first Claire from My Wife and Kids who is always at the mall with her friends, and goes through the typical, trivial, teenage girl situations, like having to go bra shopping with her dad.

I’d been moping around in my bedroom feeling so lonely, but all it took to make plans with my friends was simply asking them. If you want something in this life, you have to be clear. Although they don’t have the exact same interests as me, they’re nice, and that’s really all I can ask for. I would be asking for too much if I wanted to find a whole group of friends who listen to Frank Sinatra and who watch Wes Anderson movies. Now that I think about it, that’d be a long shot.

I’m glad that I’m finally fulfilling my Dazed and Confused teenage dreams, and that they can coexist with my awkward personality, which is very similar to Mia Thermopolis’ from The Princess Diaries. I’m completely OK with that. ♦