#time goes by quicker and i keep becoming older than everyone in seventeen in different eras

[a9saga]

tbt - seventeen - clap // I cannot believe this was 7 years ago

[cloud9in]

You’re the only one who’s writing poppy x mc fics sooo, i have a request “ bea is a bad girl (like in a gang) in high school and also went jail couple of times for getting in trouble in high school senior year poppy was new transfer student and after 2 months bea join back school and met poppy bea and they just click yk like a connection slowly they started dating and in school everyone was shocked to see bea in a relationship ( bad girl and new girl) poppy is always worried about bea and few days before graduation bea got hurt really bad and poppy gives bea 2 options that she has to choose between her or her this (gang).. bea didn’t say anything to her so poppy left, after 2/3 years they met in college bea was a different person but so does poppy they become enemies (no one knows why they hate each other) one day they were arguing and poppy shout at her and says why you're back and bea put her hand on her cheek and smile and say i am here to win you back because i love you 😬

Promises (Poppy x MC)

Part 1/?

Can i just say I'm absolutely invested in this plot? You've got me hooked on my own story, as hectic as my life is, this is enjoyable to write. I hope you like it as well @iamsimpforpoppy

Word count: 1.8k (i got carried away)

“You know what to do Jackson, same old shit.”

“Yeah but it feels like a movie every damn time”, Bea responds confidently as she unbuckles her seatbelt. She sports a black mask with a yellow bandana, a vivacious color worn by only the Southside Spades, a notorious street gang who were known for robbery, and occasional blood.

Bea found herself wrapped up in the world of gangs when she turned sixteen. But before that the brunette would assist in transporting goods, also known as hardcore drugs. There was plenty enough to go around so Bea could indulge in any she wanted. Drugs didn’t give her the high she craved though, instead it was the thrilling game of cat and mouse with the cops.

Every now and then she’d get thrown in the slammer overnight. But this particular evening earns her one year in the NY State Penitentiary. See, the cops never gathered significant evidence to build a case against her, even though she was well aware of Detective Steinhelm who had some sick obsession with her. Following her everywhere, until Bea confronted her directly after noticing the same black sedan parked a street down from her house.

But she played the game right, and nothing ever led back to her. Until now.

“Where’s the money Bradley? I feel like I’ve been kissing your ass all week, the boss needs it now.”

A skinny blonde boy who looks like he had better days grunts in annoyance, “You’ll get your money...I’m just a little short right now.”

“Time’s up Ken doll, you know Carter will have your head for this.”

“Maybe he doesn’t have to know. Maybe this can be between us…”, Bradley strides carefully towards the blonde, a disturbing grin on his face which screams junkie. “Back the hell up now.”

Bea pulled her knife out with ease and pointed it towards him. She didn’t plan on actually using it. Murder was way out her budget for a simple money pickup but she knew that it would scare the boy easily. Except he kicked the blade out of her hold which prompted it to screech across the concrete before coming to a stop. Before Bea could think her fists reacted as she intercepted a punch that aimed straight for her jaw. She twists Bradley’s arm and he falls on his knees in pain. With his back to her, she kicks him down until he’s flat on his stomach.

“What is it exactly that you plan on doing now Bradley?” The blonde boy struggles under Bea’s foot but manages to reach around and slash at her ankle with a surprise shiv. Bea yelps in pain before kicking his head, rendering him unconscious.

“Stupid idiot. Had to make this harder than it should’ve been.”

Bea eventually finds the stash of money hidden under his mattress, an amateur hiding place at best. She congratulated herself for another job accomplished (kinda) and headed home. What the seventeen year old didn’t expect was the repulsive sound of a siren filling her ears as she stepped out onto her driveway. Her blood rushed to her head when she spotted Detective Steinhelm among the police officers surrounding her and retorts, “oh come on. I thought I told them about you harassing me. What do you want? Back here to strip search me again?”

The older woman only watches the blonde in eerie silence before smiling and gesturing to a police officer. “Beatriz Jackson you have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law-”

“What the actual fuck!” Bea yanks her arms out of the officers reach which initiates a struggle for dominance. This was nothing new to her, but it still felt sickening. Like she was some pet.

“You have the right to have a lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you so desire.” Detective Steinhelm finishes speaking and approaches the still scuffling blonde, “if you keep resisting I will tase you myself.”

Bea bites back the urge to headbutt the old hag right in her stupid face but she didn’t need any extra charges, for whatever the hell it was she was being charged for.

“Tell me why the fuck I am being arrested and I’ll calm down.”

That’s when Bea notices a familiar (bruised up) face from earlier. His smirk was enough to eat at her skin and she felt burning hot rage.

“Your blood was found at the scene of Mr. Denbroughs assault. You are being arrested in the case of second degree assault with intent to hurt someone with a deadly weapon.”

***

Bea only got one year in prison due to her kickass lawyer Ina Kingsley who played the minor card at every opportunity given. She also pointed out the fact that the knife wasn’t bloodstained, and Bradley never had any stab wounds so there is no proof the weapon was ever used against him. And it technically wasn’t. Good thing she didn’t bring a gun instead.

She did miss her 18th birthday though. And a few months of her senior year. But that’s what summer classes were for right?

All eyes were on the blonde when she returned, and whispers spread throughout the school about a certain new girl. Bea paid no mind to the fingers that pointed in her direction but the newcomer did manage to catch her attention, and pretty quick at that.

“Hey Jackson, how was solitary confinement?”

“I heard they make you use the bathroom right through the tiny food slot.”

Bea rolls her eyes and pelts a piece of not-so-fresh bread right at Ford’s head. The other people at the table join in on the laughter and Bea shakes her head and smiles, “it was Juvie you dumbass, and they made us sit in a circle together every Thursday like we were in an AA meeting.

“That’s jail for babies, goldilocks here wouldn’t last a minute in a real prison”, Carter joins them at the table with a cocky smirk, yet his eyes soften when landing on Bea. She shares a similar look with him knowing they’ll have a real conversation later. Because they definitely didn’t get to have that when Bea was getting dragged away to the police station in cuffs, and every event after that.

“It’s our girl’s first day out, we have to celebrate. And it’s not like she’s on probation...right Bea?”

“I do have a curfew, and I’m on juvenile probation so…when we partying?” The crew laughs as Bea shrugs. Her mother will deal with it. Zoey scoots in next to the blonde and wraps her arm around her shoulder in a side hug. “So glad to have you back Bea, and we are not risking you breaking parole so let’s just go to a sport’s bar tonight.”

Bea nods her head in agreement as the first warning bell goes off and everyone starts to clean up. Zoey taps on her arm and points towards one of the farther tables where a lone figure sits, wiping her hands with a napkin. All Bea saw were blonde tresses until she turned and they made brief eye contact.

“She’s the new girl, Poppy Min Sinclair. Rumor is she’s got a rich white daddy. You should totally invite her to the party.”

“And why would I do that?”

Zoey squints her eyes and leans in closer, her hands under chin in thought, “she seems like the broody type, you two would click.” She laughs at Bea’s comical expression but the blonde can’t bother to look in her direction, she’s way too wrapped up in what little the stranger a few tables away had to offer. She would sit on that thought, Bea was not one to shy away from anything.

***

The two became friends quicker than anyone could think.

One day after school, Poppy’s car wouldn’t start. It just didn’t comply. You would think she’d be poised and call her mechanic to come fix it, but instead the blonde slumped against the driver’s side window and let out a visibly frustrated, high-pitched yelp. Bea watched her pace around the car and even...kick?...the front bumper with her heels in efforts to wake it up.

“You know I may be wrong but I think that only makes it worse..” She approaches the helpless blonde with a small grin. Poppy’s persistence amazed her though, she’s never seen anyone determined to beat a car up. An expensive one at that.

“I hope you have some idea how to fix it, unless you’re here to waste my time and ask me on a date.”

Woah.

Okay that definitely threw Bea on a whim. She lets out a sharp laugh and bites her lips in amusement. She strolls towards the front of her car, holding Poppy’s gaze the whole way. She liked that the blonde didn’t avert her eyes. “And if I did? We couldn’t take your car of course, it’s obviously impaired.”

Poppy smiles and turns to look at Bea properly. She checks out every inch of her with no visible shame. An assessment so to say, and she likes what she sees.

“It’s your lucky day Poppy, I happen to know a thing or three about cars, and I desperately want to get this thing working so we can go on that date.” She winks playfully but god does she mean it. Bea silently prayed that the blonde wouldn’t take it the wrong way, but she knew she won when Poppy didn't protest, instead getting comfortable under some shade and holding her hand out, “the stage is all yours Jackson.”

***

“So what you’re trying to tell me is that I can’t jump over this obvious not-so-protected fence?”

“Judging by the sign right next to it that says...oh wow who would’ve thought, “DO NOT ENTER”, I don’t think so”, Poppy deadpans. It didn’t phase Bea of course because she was already halfway up the fence when the blonde turned away from the sign. The girl had a point to prove, maybe not a valid one, but still a point.

Poppy pinches her eyebrows in exasperation before looking back up to a nonchalant Bea swinging her legs from the top of the fence. She winks down at the blonde, “join me?”

Poppy didn’t expect to be climbing fences with a charismatic girl who had the same color hair as her when she moved schools, but she found herself embracing every moment of it. Although the trip up there was a struggle and some.

“I swear to god there’s a wire in my ass.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“And we’re both going to end up in the hospital. Get. me. Down.”

Bea tries to hold in her laughter the whole way down but lets it loose when she sees Poppy still up there, partly hovering in the air. “Pops...I’ll catch you, don't worry. Climb down slowly.” She doesn’t. But Bea had her feet planted and ready because any moment with the sassy blonde was unpredictable.  And she loved it. Especially because she had Poppy engulfed in her arms and they were so close their noses touched.

Bea promised herself she’d kiss the girl next time.

***

“You’re...in a gang?”

Bea felt a clasp of cold air enter her lungs as she stared ahead. It wasn’t like she could hide it from Poppy. She has a reputation, and word has gotten around about the two getting close. This was just like that one time at the end of sophomore year where Bea met Kelly Hall, a beautiful girl with golden rimmed glasses. Unfortunately she only could imagine what could’ve been after whispers ended up right on the doorstep of Kelly’s parents, and she suddenly changed her number, and switched out of every class she had with Bea.

The blonde didn’t want to entertain the thought of Poppy doing the same, but this was a lifestyle she chose.

“I mean...how?”

Bea sighs and turns to look at her, “I fell into the wrong crowd. Or maybe it’s the right one because I never found a true home until I met them. They’re family, I wouldn’t expect you to get it though and I understand if you want to distance-”

“I of all people know what it’s like to not fit in Jackson. You’ve found people who make you feel safe. Maybe I don’t agree with the troubles that come with being in a gang but I don’t know the whole story.”

“Do you want to?”

Poppy wraps her arms around Bea’s and lays her head on her shoulder, “I want to know that you won’t get yourself hurt but I know that’s nearly impossible.”

Bea exhales slowly, not knowing what to say. She knew that this would upset Poppy but her acceptance meant more. She didn’t know what this would mean for the two of them, if there was a “them”, but she felt more encouraged to share more of her other life with the blonde.

“Just promise me one thing Jackson.”

“Yeah?”

Poppy’s voice comes out softer than expected, and Bea ingests every emotion that comes with it, “Promise me you won’t ever put yourself in a position where you have to choose between me or the gang.”

Bea finds her hand in the space where their thighs touched and latches onto it like a lifebuoy,

“I promise.”

***

“I just remembered something Poppy.”

“What, that you have half a brain cell? I thought that was established Jackson.”

Bea launches a pillow that (purposely) misses Poppy’s head by an inch. If she actually hit her and frizzed up her locks then she’d never hear, or see..or walk again.

“I’m being serious. I just remembered this too, we never went on that car date we talked about.”

Poppy squints her eyes in confusion, but was fully aware of what Bea was referring to. “You mean the first time we met?”

The blonde smiles to herself as she replayed that day in her head over and over again. She couldn’t decide if Bea’s openly flirty behavior is what drew her in or if it was her ability to fix any of her possessions with ease. And for free.

Bea pulls Poppy up by her hands until her back is against the lockers. Another perfect opportunity for the blonde to make do of that promise she made to herself, but something told her to wait just a bit longer. “So what do you say? Poppy Min Sinclair, will you go on a date with me?”

Poppy rolls her eyes playfully, pulling Bea in closer by the collar of her letterman, “now who’s being dramatic?”

“I didn’t hear a no”

“I think you know what the answer is.”

That night Zoey helped Bea prep for her first date with the girl that she could say she was almost in love with. The taller girl brushed some dust off of Bea’s jacket and planted her hands on her shoulders, “remember Jackson, give her the ride of her life. And I mean that in every way possible.”

Thanks Zoe.

Bea watched Poppy drive up in front of her house and something inside her mind couldn’t deny the pang her heart let out when she saw Poppy smile the way she did.

Bea took control of the driving and told Poppy to recline her seat and enjoy the ride, with her seatbelt on of course. Safe sacrifices. They cruised through an empty highway blasting Poppy’s spotify playlist named “Rich Bitch Songs” because that was their ideal perfect date. It’s amazing that the two could even come to an agreement, but here we are.

She watched the beautiful blonde sing her lungs out and couldn’t help but mirror her joy, taking her hands off the steering wheel. The pump of adrenaline prompts a new excitement in the air and Poppy wraps Bea into a secure hug, her hair flying wildly with the wind. Bea slows the car down but the rapid beating of her heart made it seem they were going 100 miles per second.

“I feel so alive Jackson.”

Bea stared at the girl in the passenger seat with a look that could only be described as love.

“You make me feel alive.”

Poppy kept talking and Bea found a way to focus on both the road and the blonde next to her. Because when you truly enjoy something, you’ll find a way to keep experiencing it. And Bea enjoyed hearing Poppy’s voice, she loved everything about her.

“I feel like kissing you.”

“Then what’s stopping you?”

“...Nothing. I should’ve done this a long time ago.”

They kiss when Bea pulls over.  A hot feeling consumes them like fire when their tongues collide and Bea plants her hands around Poppy’s hips, pushing her back into her seat until she’s on top. The windows easily start to fog up in reaction to the heat, and not once did they take their hands off each other.

Promise 1/2 kept

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End Note: This chapter was to build their relationship, more angst incoming. BIG THANKS to @somewillwin for letting me use Jackson <3333

Taglist: @samanthadalton @somewillwin @clowneryme @baexpoppy @poppysmc @doey-eyes8 @veenast @straightlikewetspaghetti @phoennixxsblog @a-ghost-girl

[margaritaris]

(100 things) I have learned in my seventeen years of life.

1. Some of the people you think are going to be around forever, will not. Nothing in life is ever certain nor guaranteed. Cherish them and love them wholly and fully every single day that you can.

2. You are capable of just about anything. You can push your mind to unthinkable limits. You just have to keep pushing, even when you feel like you can’t. You are stronger and smarter than you think or could ever believe. You truly are.

3. If you view someone else’s behavior towards you as a reflection of themselves and not you, then you will truly learn to cease all.

4. Think thoroughly and check your surroundings before you say anything about someone else. Is it positive and will it benefit someone else to say it? If it’s not positive, it’s better to keep it to yourself in many instances

5. Schoolwork and college are not everything

6. Eat that damn taco

7. Your feelings are not irrational, you have the right to feel whatever it is you feel at any moment in time, do not let anyone tell you otherwise, as they do not take precedence or insignificance over or under anyone else.

8. You have to be hurt at times. It’s how you learn and experience and heal and grow.

9. Life is short but long. Life might be a happy medium of the two. Enough time for you to enjoy moments and remember them forever, but short enough to inspire you to live and experience it to the fullest.

10. There’s nothing wrong with being independent

11. There’s also nothing wrong with admitting that you need help, too.

12. Don’t ever be ashamed of the music you like.

13. Listen to your music as loud as fucking possible!!! 

 14. You don’t have to bend your morals for some else’s ideals.

15. Your pain does not have to be justified or simplified. You cannot compare your pain to someone else’s’ and say that you don’t deserve to be sad because someone else has it worse. That’s like simply saying that because someone has it better, you can’t be happy.

16. You can’t always control situations, but can always control as to how you react to them.

17. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

18. Just because someone is doing something differently doesn’t mean it is wrong. There is no wrong path to growing in life

19. Keep a journal or diary and write in it often. There will be seasons for remembering to write in it and seasons where you will forget. But you won’t regret coming back to it and seeing where you once left off, and seeing how far you have come in such time.

20. Jealously will get you nowhere. Learn to be happy for other people’s strengths, no matter how much you wish you had that certain strength or ability. Everyone is different. Be happy for their talents and happy for yours! Difference in people is pure diversity and that is what makes this world so colorful and abstract

21. Talk about the things you love more often than the things you don’t. It does no good to talk about things you dislike all the time and brings no peace to either person in the conversation

22. Say your prayers and pray often. Pray everyday. Pray before you make a decision, pray when you’re struggling, pray always. It changes things.

23. With growing up comes, of course, a stronger sense of maturity. Forgiveness, patience, and selflessness are three traits that are heavily learned, at least I had to learn and practice with through seventeen years of my life. I struggled with some more than others.. Some came naturally and others, took time and still take time to this day. Forgiveness is one of them that I had to work on because I can be pretty sensitive and stubborn at times. Don’t worry so much over quarrels or little arguments you may have with your sibling, dad, aunt, or even teacher or friend. They’re not worth sulking for hours on end over something so little unless it lies deeper and hurt a great deal towards a much larger issue. Otherwise, just rise and be the bigger person. Forgive those who trespass against you, as holding a grudge is one of the many poisons of life. Forgive and move on.

24. Your body does so much for you that you don’t even know about. You can either choose to be with or against yourself, and you are going to be in this same body your whole life, so try and treasure it as you can! It loves you.

25. Being stubborn all the time can lead to regret.

26. Don’t wish you were another age older than you are. You’re only young once, is it over yet? Because as much as you wish to be older, it still won’t happen until due time and you can spend this current time enjoying the age you are exactly and the things it has to offer instead, because soon enough you will be at that other age. So just enjoy what life offers you right now. Be present.

27. This is your life. Nobody else can be you, nor can you be them. Therefore, I’ve realized that you cannot dictate how somebody else chooses to live. You cannot tell them who to love, what to do, or what to believe in. This world is becoming such a diverse complex and people are voicing their opinions so often because times are changing and everyone clashes. What I personally believe is that everyone is entitled to love, and do whatever makes them happy, and by letting people do that, and live their life because you are living yours, is the right thing. You can’t force someone to believe in something. All you can do is encourage, not force. You must respect all people, even if you don’t understand. 

28. When someone says, “Love yourself” it isn’t as easy as that to just “love yourself.” I’ve learned it takes, and will take, many years and tears and triumphs and mountains to climb and experiences to shape and to cause you to fully learn to love yourself. But you can. You can love yourself in the moment, just as you are, as little as you maybe be able too. It’s all in your mindset. Sometimes it’s quicker for others, and others much longer. Everyone takes things at different paces and there is nothing wrong with that!

29. Cut your hair the way you want to. It will always grow back at some point

30. No text or call is worth the risk while driving. Never.

31. When curious for inquiry for yourself, the worst someone can say is no. But you never know until you ask.

32. Take the leap!!!! You never know what could lie on the other side of fear or doubt!

33. Kids, and teenagers, should be heard and not just seen. I’ve been shut out, and not allowed to speak or voice my opinions or put in my input because of my age. I believe that age has no boundaries for knowledge or experience. You become wise with experience, not age. And experience comes to you at all different times and cornerstones in life. A twelve year old could have more experience with grief than someone in their forties. You never know. So listen to the little ones, for they deserve it just as much

34. Dress up for as long as you can on Halloween. It’s a hell of a lot of fun and pride or a certain reputation won’t give you memories to remember or cherish when you’re old and gray.

35. Whether you like it or not, life goes on. After a terrible experience… life will still go on. The people surrounding you will continue on, and you will soon get back into the flow of things. Mending doesn’t always run parallel with things moving forward.

36. Drama is worth nothing. You either create it, or let it escape into your life if you’re constantly surrounded by it. Sometimes it just comes out of nowhere, but there is always a way to avoid it somehow, even if you can’t escape the people around you speaking it you can simply turn a blind eye and ignore it all with other thoughts. Either way, you can cut it out completely. But you have to make the conscious effort and choice. Not to say it won’t appear again, because it will, this is life, but you will always have the choice to ignore it and stray far from it.

37. There’s always a bend in the road.

38. Read very often. I’ve just now as of recently have gotten back into the joy of reading books, (I have read fan fictions so much before) and I’ve re-fallen in love with it.

39. How many friends you have do not define you.

40. Having one single person who understands you to the core and simply just loves you for you and knowing they would do anything on this earth for you and being able to call them your best friend, is one of the best blessings life could ever offer.

41. Wear whatever the heck you want!!

42. The world is going to judge you anyway, so do whatever the heck you want too.

43. Don’t be embarrassed to dance in public

44. Even the most kind and down to earth people you could know and meet, still will have darkly flaws. Nobody is perfect. People lose their tempers and everyone says things they don’t mean. It’s life, and you have to accept that humans are humans and are bound to do things that could seem terrible at times and they make mistakes. But it doesn’t make them a terrible person. Seeing a flash of a different side to a person you care for and knowing that is not who they are, does not mean they are any different than the person you know and love.

45. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being shy. If this is who you are, take strength in it. Silence does and can speak louder than words at many times.

46. Just because people have bad habits, it does not make them a bad person.

47. Take numerous photos and videos of anything and everything but remember not to, too. Admire things without a lens.

48. Not everything about life needs to be shared online.

49. You can learn things, and know them, but it takes one step at a time and patience to incorporate and remember them in your life. As I know all these things I am writing, I still make mistakes and trespass over the “do not’s” so often. But that’s a human for you.

50. Don’t worry about what your feed or social media looks like so much. Don’t worry about the perfect selfie or aesthetic if you don’t want too. It’s energy being wasted on the most unnecessary thing.

51. Don’t let adults try and deprive you of this generation and age. They may try and say that the music they hear now is garbage, and that people are too self conceded nowadays, but that’s not true. We take pictures of ourselves because self love is important and something that has been shifted underneath the rug for all the generations prior. Your parents had their unique generation and trends, and your grandparents sure thought the same thing your parents might think right now, so you are allowed to have your own time to blossom. Enjoy this time and don’t care about taking a selfie in public or listening to music aloud. Delve into the uniqueness of this time period! You’ll have many stories to tell eventually

52. You should never outgrow imagination. It’s a gift, and if you are able to imagine things you are very lucky. Sometimes, imagination could be your only comfort during hard trials

53. You’re NEVER selfish for doing something for yourself that you need. Self care is often taken and perceived as the object of selfishness. Don’t believe that for one second of your life

54. Visit elders. Visit your grandparents and great aunts and uncles often. They were young like you once too, but try not to worry much about thinking that you’re going to be that ripe old age soon because you’re not at the moment, and you must enjoy how you are now. It is not boring if you’d open up your heart. But you will be an elder at some point and elders enjoy the company as many are always lonely. Just ask them of their old days and watch them smile. It always brings peace to my heart and I’m sure it will to yours as well. Even they can expand your mind too if you just let them.

55. You’re going to have as good of a time as you make your mind up to be.

56. Do the most random acts of kindness you can anytime you remember, and also always remember to remind the people you care most about how much they mean to you.

57. Don’t rush driving if you’re not ready and only want to do it because everyone else is. You’ll have so many years to drive later on. Your teenage years aren’t even but a fraction of your life.

58. You don’t have to do everything at once.

59. Also, there’s no point in trying to have perfect grammar and spelling all the time

60. Tomorrow will always be a new day, with no mistakes in it yet.

61. People do not think about you as much as you think, in the sense of they do not judge you every single second of everyday. People are busy with their own lives to think of this so much, so don’t worry. They could be looking at you but trust me, they’re thinking of themselves a lot of the time in that mind of theirs

62.No person is worth changing yourself for. They need to be able to accept you in the midst of your storm. Let them walk beside you as you learn to love yourself, but don’t give them the benediction or power to morph you into what they want you to be. Let them walk beside you and help guide you but not drive you.

63. Not one single person and their opinion of you defines you. Ever.

64. Social media is but pure and best vanity. It is mostly, only the good pieces and things in people’s lives. You want to share only positive things, of course. But even in the photos or paragraphs people can share, it could still all be a mask to hide the pain. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, please

65. You don’t have to be sixteen and on a hardcore diet with an even more straining exercise routine. But also, if you truly want to do it for yourself and yourself only, then there is nothing wrong with eating as healthy as you want or exercising. It’s your life, do whatever will make you happy! Just know you’re still young and you’re beautiful just as you are in any state.

66. Do things that are genuinely good for your soul.

67. Be honest, but know when you can spare someone’s feeling

68. Learn to be okay with your own silence and your own company. It won’t then feel so lonely when you are alone at times.

69. Everything happens for a reason, no doubt about that one. I can’t seem to contradict it as every good and bad thing that has happened to me has placed me to where I am now.

70. Fighting fire with fire will never amount to anything or make anything better. You will end up saying something you regret, and you will feel inevitably worse in the end.

71. Know that you won’t ever know everything you need to know in life

72. Do not cut yourself short because you haven’t dated anyone or kissed someone by the time you’re seventeen. Remember, your teenage years are but a fraction of your life. You have many chances ahead of you and just because you don’t have someone now, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. But in the meantime, enjoy yourself. Take your teenage years to explore and learn about yourself and strengthen your relationship with God, before you can with anyone else.

73. Not every soul will agree or like you. Don’t take it personally

74. Celebrating your birthday is not a selfish thing. It’s a blessing to have lived another year, remember that!

75. Pay for someone’s coffee or drink behind you if you can sometimes.

76. Give a smile, if it’s the only thing you can give, to the homeless. There are many stories about them that make people believe they are untruthful, but I have learned to not believe that to be completely true. They have nothing but the biggest hearts sometimes. If you can, give them a few dollars or maybe a small gift near Christmas. I try so hard to do this even if I’m not able. Giving is one of the most valuable things I have learned in seventeen years. You gain nothing but the comfort of knowing you helped someone, and that is beautiful.

77. Pay people genuine compliments. I’ve learned there’s no sense in giving a compliment that isn’t sincere. Always be honest but truly do give compliments as often as you can! It could be the brightest part of that someone’s day, even if it is hard to muster up the courage to tell them.

78. Don’t try to grow up faster than you are. You will regret it many times in the future.

79. Take other peoples opinions and views with grains of salt. Just because a certain person believes this something doesn’t mean you have to, too.

80. You can’t be her/him. You can’t look exactly like them. You can’t ever have their nose, or humor, or smile. But you don’t need it. And there’s no point in downing yourself because you aren’t like them when it’s nothing you can control. There is nothing wrong with having idols or inspirations, but you must not try to be them. Be you in all your ways. Have faith in yourself. You’re imperfectly beautiful and there are no standards that you have to own up to.

81. You’re allowed to be proud of yourself.

82. Nothing will and ever could be perfect. And not everything will always turn out as you envision it to be, so don’t be disappointed! It’s life and life has to be lived.

83. Tell your best friend everything. From the littlest, and most minor inconvenience to the best or the biggest embarrassment. They’re the one person in this world who isn’t going to judge you and will love you the same after all is said and done anyway

84. But it’s also perfectly okay to keep some things to yourself from people too. You’re inclined to that.

85. You owe not one single soul anything. You’re not responsible for them or their actions.

86. No means no. If someone says no, its means no. Leave it at that. And if you say no, stand firmly by that.

87. Determination is a great thing. If you’re determined, nobody can take that away from you. Never. You will carry this through the rest of your life and will benefit you so greatly. If you want something and love it, dive in determinedly and give it your all.

88. Don’t let grief suck you in whole. If you lose someone, let yourself grieve, but not completely forever. You have to move on… and it can feel wrong many times, as you think, “How can I feel happy for a sliver of a moment when they’re not here anymore?” “How can I laugh when they’re not here to laugh with me?” It will feel like that for awhile. But they want you to be happy as soon as you can be, and you have to move on. You have too. And there is nothing wrong with that, it is natural and you need to do so.

89. There will always be someone who cares and loves you fully.

90. Don’t ever be ashamed of anything that you love. No matter if someone tells you that it’s wrong or different or strange to them, it is not. Never.

91. Not everything has to be taken so seriously!

92. Don’t push away the people who love you because you don’t feel worthy. You are worth more than enough. A thousand times enough.

93. Hiding your insult with the excuse that it is an opinion is not okay.

94. You need to do whatever it may be for yourself, and only yourself. Using all of your energy to focus on changing for other people will do you no good.You must have the geunine intention that you want to do it for you and only you

95. Dogs and cats truly do give the best cuddles sometimes.

96. EAT THAT WHOLE OR HALF PIZZA AND THEN A CUPCAKE AND SOME ICE CREAM AFTERWARDS ALL BY YOURSELF HELL YEAH

97. Always smile at strangers.

98. Living in the past or looking ahead into the future always will drain you. Practice and do things that take your time and cause you to focus on the present.

99. If you can, take time to spend moments with your family. Do not spend all your time on your phone or electronics. Just don’t do it all the time, trust me. Instead of choosing to watch Netflix for the rest of the evening, spend it with your family. You’re so busy growing older that you don’t realize they are too.

100. Always have hope. Never lose hope. Even when the hardest thing to do is hold onto hope. Keep hope sheltered in your heart no matter where you go or what may happen to you, as life is indeed uncertain.

These are just some things that came to my mind when I pondered on what I have learned these many past years. Obviously this is not all of them and just what I have personally learned. I haven’t been excited about turning a year older lately, because the truth is I don’t want too, but looking back I can see all the knowledge I’ve gained and how blessed I am to be turning another year older. God’s given me more than I deserve.. and I am extremely grateful and happy for it. Here’s to the year of seventeen, wow!! Yaaaaaaaay!