I am nobody.

Nobody you would want to know the name of. I am not famous. I don't have an incredible personality that makes you attracted to me -- no bright smile, no beautiful curls. Just someone you cannot help but miss while passing by the streets. Yet I exist. Even when you don't want to know who I am, I am right here, around you, beside you, in front of you. Every time you turn around, I am there, but how is it that you manage to ignore me again and again?
Yes, it is very easy to miss me out. After all, the spotlight was never on me. Why do I deserve to be noticed? I am too plain. When there are sparkling personalities, shimmering around me, illuminating with beauty and success, I can easily drown. Almost blend into nothingness.
And for that very reason, I stand here, telling you my story. Yes, you have to listen. For too long I have lived a life similar to the dirt floating on the water. It was hard. All of you had made it hard for me. Telling me that I am not good enough, saying that I don't deserve the sky, you've kept me buried underneath for eternity. However, mind you, how long can you do that? Yes, I don't shine. But exactly till when do you plan to suppress me? Magazines, billboards, commercials- they have given me the same message; I am not good enough. My complexion is too dark, my smile is too dull, and my eyes are too watery. However I want to ask one question, how light does your color need to be to have a good heart?
There is a strange tale about the volcanoes of Spain. It is said that the dormant ones are always more vicious than the active ones. That's why they remain dormant. Because once they wake up, it's all over for the others. Everything becomes nothing in front of them.
Words are very simple indeed.
You are not good enough. You can never do this.
It takes a moment to utter it, but a lifetime to fulfill it. Queer isn't it? Right now, I ask myself, why was I scared all my life? What was it that pushed me to the background? There is no answer. I was afraid, of people around me. But the shadow needs to disappear once the light appears. And right now, my shadows of fear are gone. I am free. To become somebody from the nobody I am right now. Because we are scared, we make it too easy for others to get on with life. There is no fierce competition for them. It's an easy battle. But not anymore. All you have to do is wait, I'll roll up the curtains. The show is about to begin. After a very long time, it is finally going to begin.
Times have changed. And so have I.

NUSRAT JAHIN ANGELA
The writer, aged 16, is a grade 11 student.