Lipsticks, perfume and jewelery are all related to the physical appearance of a person. These appliances assisted in creating a mask for me. It was this mask that allowed me to fit in with the crowd. A mask that I am no longer willing to wear. One thing that I have learned from my years in high school is that individualism is a virtue that comes from within. I now realise that the physical appearance is irrelevant when it comes to friendship and that judgements are often too rashly made on the basis of looks.

It was in grade ten that I became uncomfortable with the movement of the tide-like crowd. Keeping up with trends became overwhelming for me. I used to feel that I was outcast because I could not meet the weekly criterion. It was at this point that the thought became clear to me; was...