Hi my name is Carrie Madeline, I am 22 years old and as of now I'm happier then I have ever been; unfortunately it wasn't always like this. When I was younger I got picked on A LOT for being different. I wore what I wanted, acted how I wanted and was friends with who I wanted to be friends with. The kids didn't like that so much and were so mean to me. I remember coming home everyday crying to my mom telling her I hated school and I didn't want to go back. I'm not a very religious person to be honest, but I can remember endless nights crying and praying to what ever could be out there to make it stop. Then I met my best friend. She had moved here from Las Vegas in 8th grade, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have made it through middle school and high school. She was my rock. Me and my best friend were bullied every single day, and every single day we'd go to the office and say something. Our parents even went to the school! The school did nothing to stop it, the kids saw this and it got worse and worse till one year I had scissors thrown at me and jumped 3 times. They called me the most hurtful names, and even told me to "just do everyone a favor and kill myself. I haD the worst self esteem for the longest time because I let what other said affect me so much. One day I realized something, I'm not defined by what others say, I am who I want to be. I'm not all those things said about me, not even close. But you know what, after I graduated I started to do what I love. I started modeling and people that made fun of me, we're trying to be my friend. Of course I would never befriend someone who made school a living hell for me. They see me doing well, and some apologized. I'm a tattoo model, and I own my own business. Now you know what I do with their negativity? I use it to push me to do even better, to make them eat their own words. I know it's hard but ignore what they say and just grow to be all your destined to be! Let your success and happiness speak for you. They want you to cry they want you to fight back, it's how they amuse their miserable selves. Don't let them steal your happiness, you know what will make them the most mad? Smiling at them, or ignoring them. They may push harder for a while, but it will eventually stop. I promise there is a light of happiness at the end of the road, just have to get over a few tough hills and I assure you, you will find happiness in yourself and life itself.