"If life was a movie, what would the ending be? What changed in me? When I was a child, my world was small but full. I spent my time drawing, creating little worlds on paper, or watching television where stories felt larger than life—stories that carried me to places I couldn’t reach myself. I was pampered and sheltered, never really asked to do chores, never really allowed to run free outside, even when I wanted to. My days were simple, predictable, safe. And so, I learned to live in my own little corner of life—imagination as my playground, home as my universe, and curiosity as my constant companion." I rarely felt safe outside. Maybe because I didn’t go out much when I was young. Home was my comfort zone, the place where I felt secure. Beyond its walls, the world seemed louder, bigger, and sometimes overwhelming. I was shy, often hiding behind awkward silence. But when I felt safe… I was loud. Talkative. Alive. My voice filled the walls of home, like a record player stuck on repeat. At school, I found friends. With them, I learned how to laugh, how to share stories, and how to see the world a little wider than the walls of my home. Still, the values my parents taught me stayed with me: be generous, be caring, avoid hurting others, choose love even when it’s hard, and be content with what you have. They taught me to pray to God, to trust Him in every season, and to never forget that blessings—big or small—are always worth being thankful for. I don’t like confrontation, and I feel uncomfy when people fight. Maybe it’s because growing up, I rarely saw anyone argue or raise their voice. My world was calm, and I learned to value peace above anything else. Then tenth grade hit. That’s when my world changed. Everything made a massive turn. For so long, I had been sheltered, careful, shy—always holding back, always worried about what others might think of me. But in tenth grade, I learned something new: to set myself free. To stop carrying the weight of people’s opinions. To let go… and just be happy. I had most of my firsts during that year. It was the first time I truly felt comfortable being alone outside. The first time I allowed myself to try new things, to take risks, to step into moments I would’ve once been too afraid to face. And in every risk, no matter how small, I found pieces of freedom. I found pieces of myself. During that year, I realized that the outside world is not as scary as I once thought. I didn’t need to care so much about what people thought of me—basta I wasn’t stepping on anyone or hurting their feelings, I could simply be myself. And in being myself, I found freedom. I laughed more, I spoke more, and I bonded with people in ways I never imagined I could. For the first time, I wasn’t just existing outside—I was living there, too. It was like opening a door I never knew existed. For the first time, the world outside didn’t feel so scary—it felt alive, waiting for me to explore. But more than that… I met people. I met new friends who welcomed me as I was. People who made me laugh louder, dream bigger, and believe that I didn’t have to face everything alone. And maybe the best part is knowing—I can see myself still hanging out with them for a long time. They became part of my story, and in some ways, part of who I’m becoming. But I also know this: people may come and go. Some friendships stay, some drift away, and some are changed by time and distance. People change by the minute, and life has a way of pulling us in different directions. Still… my care and love for them will never fade. Because every person I’ve met, every friend I’ve had, became part of my journey. They’ve left their mark on me, and I carry them with me, no matter where we all end up. And so… if life was a movie, I don’t know how the ending will look. But I know this: every scene—every joy, every mistake, every lesson—is leading me closer to the person I’m meant to be. And whatever the final chapter holds, I believe it will be worth it… because the Author of my story is greater than my fears.