8th Grade Research Paper

When you offered to be my partner for a class activity in 8th grade, you probably didn’t know much that simple action would impact my life. At that time, I was going through a fight with my best friend that lead to many of my other friends abandoning me. I have always been a shy person, having a hard time making friends and keeping them. In 8th grade I was going through a period of my life where I didn’t want anything to do with other people because I thought there was no point if people were going to leave me in the end. When you asked me to work with you, I was surprised because I was so used to people ignoring me as a result of being introverted. I was amazed and cheering in my head every time you talked to me from then on.
I didn’t expect us to become friends past eighth grade, but you proved me wrong when you stuck with me during my move to another house. Messaging you over Skype cheers me up when I have a bad day, it pushes the negative thoughts away with the idea of someone caring about me. Before, I assumed that people had a bad opinion of me even if they didn’t know me. After talking to you, I learned that most people have good intentions and that I shouldn’t be quick to assume negative things.

It is refreshing to have someone that I can talk to without restrictions and validate my feelings. Before eighth grade I would have been cautious about my feelings due to my fear of being judged. I appreciate that you took the time to break past my hard exterior, without you I wouldn't have learned to loosen up and care less about what other people think. I used to be so scared when I shared my hobbies and interests, but you always comforted the anxiety by showing interest. Maybe you would tease me about my love for videogames, but you would never judge me the same way my old friends would, telling me that it was for