I know this girl who is tired and sad and I tell her every waking day not to worry because with little time and love, things will get better. This girl was told to follow her heart but hers is torn into many pieces. It left her hanging, wondering what piece she shall follow.

I know this girl who took the initiative to further her education at 21 to make something for herself, career wise. She was told that she is too young to make such mature decisions but I believe that she’s old enough to keep herself stimulated.I know this girl who wears t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers to office but sports her pencil skirt and wedges in going to rice-all-you-can food hubs. She was told a million times that she must dress properly but I reminded her to choose her own style.

I know this girl who owns hundreds of books but she hasn’t read half of it. She feels most comfortable with her feet up on a couch, holding a yellow or green highlighter, sipping a cup of her favorite mocha-flavored coffee. She was told to stop buying books she doesn’t have intention of reading but I convince her to do otherwise.

I know this girl who travels a lot, usually alone, even if it meant spending the too little savings she has. She was told that her lifestyle is some sort of luxury but I know she finds herself while lost in an unfamiliar land.I know this girl whose best friends are mostly guys and she was told that it’s borderline terrifying. But she reminds me that the greatest physical danger she is facing is not being able to go out with other guys because her best friends are invariably, incorrigibly protective.

I know this girl whom her friends regard as an alpha woman and someone they would trade lives in a heartbeat. She is always appreciated for being independent—of paying her own bills, having a job, buying her own necessities, and getting her graduate studies all at the same time. She was told that she is a wife material but this alpha woman always ends up doing things alone.I know this girl who thinks she’s doing okay then suddenly it’s a nighttime and she’s alone and she’s not really sure how to distract herself anymore. This girl wants to believe that things are good inside her, and even when they are not, she thinks they will soon be enough.

I know this girl who wants to tell someone, anyone for the matter, about the things that are going inside her head but everyone else is busy with someone, and she feels completely alone.

I know this girl who was not herself for weeks, yet nobody noticed.