"I strived to be a great friend to those in my circle. Their biggest cheerleader, the first to crack a joke when things got a little sad, and the first to drown them with compliments immediately when they walked in.

Why?

I knew what it felt like to be vulnerable, rejected, an outsider, and never wanted anyone to ever feel the same way in my presence.

It took me years to realise that I was overcompensating through others because I didn’t want to confront myself.

I was theirs way before I wanted to be mine."