I’m only a teenager.
Every day I go to school.
But I hate it.
I hate learning, and I tell myself I do not care about school.
But then I go home and stress about the chemistry test the next day.
Because I have to pass it.
And if I don’t pass it, my average will drop down to a C.
And if my average drops to a C, I will not make honor roll.
And then my class ranking will go down.
And then I will not get into a good college.
And I won’t get hired for a good job.
And I won’t be able to support myself.
All because I did bad on that Chem test.
And why am I thinking about all of this?
Because I’m only a teenager.

I’m only a teenager.
Sometimes I get mad for absolutely no reason at all.
Or for some silly reason.
Like when I get a bunch of pimples.
Or when I lose a match of tennis.
Or when I fail a quiz.
And sometimes it makes me be mean
To people I love.
Because I am so frustrated and I do not know how to deal with my anger.
And then I get more pimples.
And lose another match, or fail another quiz.
Because anger is a horrible disease.
The fact that I’m angry makes me more angry.
And I don’t know why.
Because I’m only a teenager.

I’m only a teenager.
And usually, I am overdramatic.
Like when I get in a fight with a friend.
And I start hating my life, and tell myself that I am alone.
And then I remember how lucky I am.
Because I have a family that loves me.
And friends who are loyal,
And a warm house to belong to,
And a healthy body,
And food is accessible to me always.
And then I get mad at myself
That I was angry in the first place.
And I tell myself that I am so lucky,
I should always be happy and grateful.
But it is not as easy as it sounds.
Especially when you’re only a teenager.

I’m only a teenager
and sometimes I am insecure,
And sometimes I think I’m ugly,
And sometimes I think that I will never find anyone
Who truly loves me.
And I like to watch romantic comedies.
And I like to eat chocolate while I do.
Even though I try to be on a diet.
And sometimes I watch Disney movies.
Because I never appreciated them when I was younger.
And the story lines are so inspirational.
And sometimes I like being alone.
For reasons I cannot explain.
I guess it’s because I’m only a teenager.

I’m only a teenager
and sometimes I wish I were younger.
Before I had to worry about a giant assignment every week.
And before I had to take on responsibilities
I am not always capable of.
And before girls were mean
And trapped me in situations
I did not always feel right about.
And before people thought it was “cool” to drink alcohol
Or do drugs.
And you didn’t have to straighten your hair
And cake make up on your face everyday
And when being yourself was enough.
Now this world expects more out of me.
They forget that I’m only a teenager.

I’m only a teenager
and sometimes I just wish everything could pause.
Because time stresses me out.
My future stresses me out.
I wish I had time to sprawl out on the couch
And watch a pointless TV show
Without having to worry about
That girl I need to call back
Or that research paper I need to write
Or that event I need to plan.
Because sometimes with all this stuff going on
We forget what life is really about.
It’s not about school, or friends, or looks.
Life is about you. And right now, I’m still figuring out me.
Because I’m only a teenager.

I’m only a teenager
but one day I will be an adult.
One day I will look back on these years
And I will realize how they truly shaped my life.
Maybe I’ll be a TV show director.
Or maybe I’ll be a famous magazine editor.
Or maybe I’ll start my own business.
Or I’ll be a lawyer. Or an astronaut.
Okay, probably not that last one.
But I tend to have big expectations.
They say that’s a good thing,
Although sometimes I have my doubts.
But wherever I am in 20 years
I know these days will all have been worth it.
Because all that stress, insecurity, hope, and disappointment,
The anger, the sadness, the frustration,
Will all add up to an extraordinary person.
But I just have to wait and see. Because as for now,
I am only a teenager.