When I was younger, I wanted to be a princess
What little girl didn’t? 
The big poofy dresses
Jewels covering you from head to toe
A tiara resting on top of your long, flowy hair
I spent hours every day watching Disney princesses find their happy endings
And I so badly wanted that life for myself 
But I am not a princess
I am a sixteen-year-old high school student 
Instead of poofy dresses, I wear jeans and a t-shirt
The only jewelry I have is as small ring with my initial that I wear everyday
I don’t have a prince coming to my rescue whenever I feel like a damsel in distress
And some nights I cry because I am too overwhelmed with homework 
The only tiara I own is a plastic one I bought from Claire’s when I was six years old
I still have that tiara 
That tiara is a reminder of simpler times   
Like when being a princess was an acceptable life goal
When homework and stress wasn’t a part of my world yet  
When kids all accepted each other for who they were 
A time when I didn’t know what anxiety was, and hadn’t felt its effect yet
But I still hold onto that crown, because deep down inside
I will always want to be a princess