Why didn't I see me? Why was my reflection, not the person I really was? I saw this girl, with striking sea-green eyes, wavy golden-brown hair, black glasses that hid her thick eyebrows almost completely. I saw all of her features, including her light brown freckles surrounding her eyes and cheeks, her pale skin, her long eyelashes she gets from her father, I saw her scars. Her beauties, her imperfections. But what I didn't see was me. I looked in the mirror at this girl, she wasn't Ella Grace Wheeles, a 12-year-old girl who had an intricate and balanced personality. She was someone else. I didn't see the tears in her eyes, her scars of heartache, the marks on her wrists and arms. I didn't see the girl who was fighting a battle inside herself in order to survive this horrendous life. That's not who I saw. Who i saw was the girl who is afraid to talk, but has a powerful and fearless voice when she does. The girl who walks confidently but with her head down. I saw the girl who was too afraid that no one would like her so she didn't give them anything to not like. I didn't see me.

Why didn't I see the girl who fights for what is right? The girl whose releases and outlets are through tumbling, art, and music. Her core values are her relationship with her family, friends, and pets. I didn't see the girl who is a pageant queen and takes pride in her work. The girl I saw in the mirror wasn't the Ella who takes after her parents. I didn't see the girl who hopes to be an inspiration to everyone around her. That right there is me. But it wasn't me who I saw there in the mirror.

The real me is described in so many ways. But the real me is important, and I strive to let her show. But it's too hard. She is super friendly and is always up to tackle the bad things. She is a teacher to everyone around her and can change anyone to be a better person, she thinks before she does and tries her hardest not to say things she doesn't mean. She's a great friend and brilliantly smart. She gets overwhelmed easily but fears rarely stop her.

Ella is her name.  A sweet middle schooler. She is very talented and funny. She's absolutely beautiful inside and out. Just talking to her can make anyone's day brighter. She's got a sense of humor like no other and will be inclusive always. She takes passion in her writing, hoping one day to inspire others. She's not afraid to show her real self on that very first day you meet.

Where is THAT Ella? Why doesn't she show in the mirror?

Today's society has taught us that the only person that matters is the one in the mirror. Society tells us that our physical appearance is the only aspect of us that matters. We push our feelings deep inside and don't let them out. We keep our heads down and keep our real lives secret. The outside is the only thing that matters to society. But why?