Dear Yesterday,

Keep your eyes open. Don't even blink, let alone turn away. You are about to enter your sophomore year of high school and it will be one of the most influential years of your life. Be wary of the people you call best friends. I know you like to think they are infallible, but nobody is. Believing something like that, even if you don't realize it will get you hurt. Make sure to get to know as many people as possible, including that one boy. Yes, him. He will become one of your closest friends over the next year. Watch your words. If you are upset with someone, do not trust anyone to keep your words secret. Talk directly to the person you are upset with. When that boy plays his music, listen. When that girl gives you the book that is falling apart, read it. When that girl sings, tell her that her voice is just as beautiful as it sounds. When that friend looks pretty, let her know. If you want to say hi to someone, say hi, If you want to hug someone, hug them. If you want to kiss someone, kiss them. If you want to tell someone that he is possibly the most amazing person you've met in your life, tell him. If you want to tell that man he is your role model, let him know.

You are going to become close to a number of new people, but don't forget your old friends. They are always there for you and they are the ones who will be there at the end of the day. When those girls betray your trust, forgive them. When your friend comes back so that you can put her back together, do just what she asks of you and then give her a kiss on the cheek. That way, when she falls apart again, she'll never be without love. She will always have you. Just remember. Don't leave any of yourself in her, or else you might end up hurt. You always come first. I know how much you want to save the world, but you have to become happy with yourself.

Your body is going to do weird things. Just know that it is not your fault. The doctor will say so in her office after four months of taking the little white pills that lowered your self esteem. Do not blame yourself, just work harder and harder to be healthy. You're going to go through a lot of physical pain, and I mean a lot. A few nights a month you'll wake up because it's so bad. Just remember that courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's just the quiet voice that tells you to hold on, or in other situations, to try again tomorrow. You're not going through it alone either. That small girl has it worse than you. You think you have a lot you can help her with, but she's going to be the one teaching you. Be careful to keep her best interests in mind. She will become incredibly important to you.

Don't worry about that girl who is better at writing than you who everyone likes better. Be content that she is happy and in the place you once were. The girl whose eyes you remember from nightmares isn't that bad. Yes, she'll be insensitive sometimes to you, but you will be to her too, even though neither of you will know you're doing it at the time. One day, you'll both say you're sorry, because you really are. The nights you spend upset about it... don't. Just make it better. So when everything goes wrong, that's what you have to do. Work to make one thing go right and then everything will fall into place. Don't worry about your mom smelling smoke on you when she picks you up. You did the right thing by saying no. You lost some respect for the girl who offered it to you, but everyone has their flaws.

You will meet someone who cherishes other's flaws like no one you've ever met before. Keep him close to your heart. He will be one of the most honest, understanding, and talented people you meet. I know that sometimes he's one of those people you think is infallible. Sure, he says he has flaws, but he admits them. Learn to be more like him. You will also meet a girl with blue eyes and long hands who you become close to quickly. Be cautious of her because you're too much alike.  You two will become the best of friends. Just remember that she has a lot to deal with. Comfort her when her day goes badly, even if that happens everyday. Your love will never run out, trust me. It only becomes hidden behind drops of hatred. One girl will betray you. Forgive her. She has always meant a lot to you. There are still many memories to be made with her.

Don't forget the girl who has been by your side for longer than any other. You will learn just how much you love her and admire her. She is the strongest person you know and probably will ever know. She is an everyday hero and you're the only one who knows about it. Sometimes you will think about her and cry, but it's alright. She has you. And you're worth something, no matter how much you deny it. You will become a role model to another girl. You'll do something that will soil her perfect idea of who you are, but don't be upset over it. Take it as a reality check. Just as you had to learn that friends are not infallible, so will she. You will question your emotions a lot, but there is no doubt that you will fall in love. Be careful of this boy. He is one person with you, and one person with his friends. He will tear your heart if you don't hold it close to your body. It will be okay one day, though.

You will forget about one girl, someone you used to be very close with. Your friendship will be like a match, and you will not need much effort to rebuild what you had after a long respite. Be careful of getting involved in others' problems. You are not a superhero, as much as you want to be. You have to learn to say no when someone asks you to solve their problem and let them do it on their own. A little advice every now and then is perfectly fine, though. You will be giving plenty of it. You'll grow apart from a girl you were once very close to. It's alright though, don't worry. The two of you will always be friends.

You will be stuck with your father, however. You will be ashamed many times, you will become sick to your stomach many times, and it will get to the point where you cannot eat while in his presence. He will yell at you, he will make you cry, he will make you scared and he will stomp on you with his words as though you were an ant. He will walk out on your family many times, he will make scenes, and he will put your life in danger more than once. Just learn to... breathe. Breathe and know that you'll be okay. Don't be scared. You will realize that you would be able to die happy if anything unfortunate happened beyond your control. But always remember: you will one day be independent from him.

When things start to go right, don't be afraid to embrace them. I know you will be afraid of falling, but how will you ever learn to fly if you never take the first leap. You will learn that you are a very talented person. Familiar people and many not-so familiar people will reassure you of that. Don't be afraid to do the things you love. If you want to sing, then sing your heart out. I know you're afraid of singing horribly, of getting on your friends' nerves, like so many people in your circle of friends already do. That's another thing. I know it's hard to believe, but you and your friends are intimidating. You've been together for three years already, and will be together for many years to come. Make sure your arms are open. Some people will judge you for the people you are around, but they are not worth your time. Only put your heart into those things for people who will appreciate it. Otherwise, your heart will have no warmth to sustain itself.

You will return to the place where the best friends of your life are. You will be completely rejuvenated and appreciated. One girl has become like a sister to you, and even though you've only spent two weeks with her, she'll become one of the most important people in your life. She'll encourage you to follow your aspirations and dream big. She'll tell you that you will never fail. She'll give you a hand to hold and a shoulder to lean on. She will be everything you need and want in a best friend. And you will be everything she needs and wants in a best friend, despite the fact that it was an unlikely match. Make sure to cherish that and never let it go. You can always return to that place and to her.

Remember, I am always here if you need something. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you let people know how you feel before you lose the chance to. Never forget the feelings of others, or of yourself. Admire nature. Create stories out of the curves of trees. Don't worry about growing up because if you do, you'll miss your past. Take every opportunity that comes your way. Never forget to remember. Never criticize or judge. Admit your flaws. You'll mess up, you'll disappoint, you'll be a hypocrite, you'll feel like you don't meet standards, you'll feel ugly, you'll feel fat, you'll feel unloved, you'll feel annoying, you'll feel sorry, you'll feel worthless. But you'll always feel accomplished, you'll feel beautiful, you'll feel loved, you'll feel talented, you'll feel thankful, you'll feel worth something. Always remember, Hakuna Matata, and in the words of Shakespeare, "Love all. Trust few. Do wrong to no one."

Love always,
Tomorrow