A BOY ON THE SHELF

The doctor asked, "Who is Andrew?" I said, "A boy that is tired of staying broken and feeling unloved for who he is." Why do I go by the name Andrew? Because there was this boy in my first-grade class that I have always seen myself being if I were able to have expressed who I am without humiliation. Everything that he did was something I always admired and was inspired to someday become. I tried my best not to let people define me but rather let myself echo the truest parts of me out for the world to see. I'm the hero of my own story, and I welcome you to my journey-where I have faced many storms along with burning bridges. All the curveballs life has thrown at me had me evaluate my choices. It made me want to show people not to judge a book by its cover. I've learned a great deal of patience, but the best thing I've learned thus far is to simply keep living and always forgive yourself and understand that you did your very best for what you knew at the time.