I was sitting near my window, from which the beautiful tree took away my gaze. Its trunk, branches, and leaves appeared like a magnificent crown. I wondered how deep its roots would be. How deep do these roots go in the soil to form such magnificent beauty? How deep one needs to go to become like a tree. Generous and kind enough to be the reason everyone lives.

I often find myself lost in wonder, and trees often capture my attention. Nature’s beauty is so vivid it draws me in, contemplating the world’s beginning and end. As a teen, philosophical thoughts are familiar territory, and nature’s majesty only adds to the allure of exploring life’s big questions.

I’m a 15-year-old girl with a mind full of thoughts and ideas. I come from a loving, middle-class family with a supportive mother and father who encourage me to study hard and pursue a bright future. While I don’t have a large circle of friends, it’s not because people don’t like me – I’ve just chosen to focus on my own interests and hobbies. Sometimes I feel like I’m a little different, like I don’t quite fit in. But that’s okay. I’m learning to embrace my individuality and celebrate what makes me unique. I’m still figuring out who I am and where I belong in the world, and that’s a journey I’m excited to take.

As I sat there, lost in thought, I began to write in my journal, pouring out my thoughts and feelings about the tree, nature, and life. My pen scratched across the page, filling it with words that flowed from my heart.

"As I gaze at this tree, I realize that its beauty is not just in its physical form, but in the lessons it teaches me. Its roots dig deep into the earth, anchoring it firmly, yet its branches stretch towards the sky, reaching for the unknown. It's a reminder that I too can be grounded and strong, yet still aspire to grow and explore.

I wonder if anyone else sees the world in the same way I do. Do they too feel like they don't quite fit in, like they're searching for something more? I hope so, because it's in these moments of wonder and curiosity that I feel most alive.

My parents want me to succeed, to have a bright future, but what does that even mean? Is it just about grades and achievements, or is it about finding purpose and happiness? I'm still figuring it out, but I know that nature, philosophy, and my own thoughts and ideas will guide me on this journey.

For now, I'll keep writing, keep wondering, and keep exploring. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find my place in this world, where I can be my unique self and make a difference in my own way."

As I finished writing, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I knew that I still had a lot to learn and discover, but I was excited for the journey ahead. And as I looked out the window, the tree seemed to nod in agreement, its leaves rustling softly in the breeze.

“I woke up to the buzz of my alarm at 6:30 am, but I hit the snooze button and fell back asleep. My mom woke me up again at 7:30 am, reminding me I was running late for school. As I rushed to get ready, I couldn’t help but think that sleep is like a drug – even the most sensible teenager can get hooked!

While my school life has its moments, it took me a while to find my footing. I’m not a fan of how some teachers come across as preachy, talking down to us like we’re in need of redemption. I don’t disrespect them, but I don’t have much time for their lectures either. There are a few teachers who stand out for their kindness and dedication, but even when I try to appreciate them, I’m reminded of the bullying some students have experienced at the hands of some teachers. It’s unfortunate that school is often the first place where children face discrimination, perpetuated by those who are supposed to support us.

I arrived at school just in time for assembly, which I dread. The long, loud prayers feel like a cacophony of screams rather than singing. It’s a place where the whole school gathers to make a racket. Honestly, I’m sick of assembly.

As I sat down, my mind wandered to the tree I had written about in my journal, its branches and roots symbolizing the contradictions in my own life. I felt a pang of restlessness, a desire to break free from the monotony of school life. Then, I saw someone who caught my eye – a beautiful girl with stunning bangs and a tomboyish appearance. I’ve always had a thing for tomboys. She’d become my new observation project. I’m straight, but I often pretend to be interested in girls because I’m afraid of falling in love. It’s a weird defense mechanism, I know.

Then, I noticed a guy who looked exactly like the kind of guy you’d imagine in a novel. I felt drawn to him, but I’m afraid of falling in love. So, I tried to push my feelings aside. Despite my best efforts, I found myself developing a crush on him – my bad! But no one knows I like him because Sophia already has a thing for him, and I’m not interested in pursuing a high school crush. Yet, I still ended up writing poems about him – I know, I’m an idiot! It’s frustrating because I know he won't like me back, which would be a blow to my self-esteem. And honestly, I’m not even interested in a relationship right now, so why did I even develop feelings for him? He’s incredibly handsome and looks exactly like the kind of guy you’d imagine in a novel. I’m not going to lie, it’s hard to resist that!

I’m convinced that if he works out and develops a muscular build, he’ll be irresistible to everyone. Interestingly, he sometimes acts flamboyantly, but I’m pretty sure he’s straight. I try to avoid him, but I can’t help sneaking glances.

“In class, I sit in my usual seat, distracted by a few rules. From my classroom window, I must admit that I don’t always focus on the lectures. The view is breathtaking – lush trees, vibrant herbs, and shrubs, with animals grazing, insects buzzing, and butterflies fluttering, especially during the rainy season, which I adore. I’m deeply fond of these things, and I often find myself talking to the falling raindrops.

Sophia then said, ‘Hey, Eden, what’s up?’ ‘Nothing,’ I replied, ‘I just wanted to mention something about that Bang girl.’ ‘Oh, really? You do? But why? I think you guys look alike.’ I was shocked – just a few hours ago, I was admiring someone, and now my friend thinks we look similar! ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ I said. ‘Me and her? I believe she’s far more beautiful.’ ‘She’s our junior,’ Sophia said. ‘I know that.’ ‘You know what her name is, right?’ ‘Yeah, I do.’ (Of course, I did – what did she think I was doing while observing her?) ‘Clara, I believe that’s her name, right?’ ‘Yes.’

At the time, I wasn’t concerned about Clara. Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about her that much. My mind was preoccupied with the guy from the assembly – my secret crush, of course. I wasn’t about to reveal my feelings to anyone, especially since I knew girls in my class already liked him. I thought to myself, ‘Stupid crushes.’ But despite my efforts to focus, songs kept playing in my head, and his face was fixed in my mind. I tried to shake off the distraction, telling myself, ‘No, I need to stop this.’ So, I turned my attention to my studies, determined to concentrate. I was fully engaged in the lecture, and nothing about that guy bothered me until lunch break.

As I saw him coming downstairs, I avoided eye contact, while my friend continuously whispered in my ear about him. I thought to myself, ‘What in the world, why is he coming towards me? No, it might be my friend, of course, not me.’ Despite my inner panic, I managed to keep a straight face in front of him. But I couldn’t control my racing heartbeat as he drew closer. It was pounding so hard in my chest that I was holding my breath, all while trying to act like everything was normal. Then, I heard him say my name – ‘Eden!’ No way, why did my name sound so good coming from his mouth? I felt like I was dying, please help me! I just looked at him, waiting for him to speak further, my heart skipping a beat in anticipation.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. My secret crush was talking to me, and I was completely tongue-tied. I didn’t know what to say or do. I just stood there, frozen in place, hoping that I wouldn’t make a fool of myself. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that gave me hope. Maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way about me.”