Mina was sixteen when she started to see the world for what it really was. People think being young means being happy and free, but for her, it was not like that. Life felt heavy.
She lived in Texas, in a house full of people. Her parents were there, and so were her six siblings. The house was always loud, but even with all the noise, she felt alone. She laughed when they laughed, she played along, but deep inside, she felt invisible.
Mina was short, only five feet tall. Her cheeks were round, her tummy soft from too many late-night snacks, and her body had curves she didn't always know how to feel about. Some people teased her, some ignored her, but she tried to smile in the mirror anyway. She wanted to love herself, even when the world didn't.
But Mina didn't know how to fight for herself. She didn't know how to say no when people asked things from her. She was scared—scared of darkness, scared of speaking up, scared of being rejected. She let people push her around because she thought maybe that was the only way they'd stay close to her.
Her friends weren't really friends. They called her bestie in public but laughed at her in secret. They used her kindness, and she let them, because she didn't want to be left alone.
The boys were worse. They told her sweet things, made her feel wanted for a moment, but only to take advantage. They didn't really like her; they just liked what they could get from her. Every time she gave a little of her heart, they left her empty again.
She was tired. Tired of fake love. Tired of fake friends. Tired of not knowing how to stand up for herself.
But even in all of that, Mina had one thing—she still loved herself. Not in a big, loud way, but quietly. She hugged herself when no one else did. She wiped her own tears and told herself she was alright, even when it didn't feel true.
On the outside, Mina looked like any other teenage girl. But inside, she was sad, broken, and confused. She wanted real love, but all she got was betrayal. She wanted to be strong, but fear held her back. She wanted to choose her own way, but her voice was always silent.
Mina's story wasn't perfect. It wasn't a fairy tale. But it was real.
Because Mina isn't just a character in a book.
Mina is me.
This is not made up. It's my life. My regrets. My truth.
And I want the world to know what life feels like through my eyes.