"Fat."

"Looks old."

"Overacting."

Since then, I've heard negative things about myself from my classmates. I've been bullied since elementary school, and it's been difficult for me. Because of bullying, I am always crying and my breathing is strained. I thought about quitting once, but I couldn't because of my family, so I told myself that I would finish my studies.

That's why I tried my hardest to study properly, but it wasn't enough knowing that my classmates had a strong bond with the instructors. Because they have a great relationship with them, I miss out on accolades. I merely stared at them as they cheated on the exam. I want to get good scores, but not in this way.

All of my school life is me being alone having no permanent friends and being left behind.

When I think of the words they say to me, I am hurt. I feel like I'm getting belittled.

I've shown that I can accomplish something, now that I'm in my first year of college. I always eat Hershey's chocolates while studying to help to gain knowledge with matching music in my ears. "Hershey's chocolates are the best!"

But all of my efforts were worthless when certain people ruined me. When I hear things that break my heart.

Even when I dared to engage in class, some sought to pull me down.

"Look at Eli, she's already greedy."

"She's not even giving a chance to everyone so unfair, tsk."

That's why I thought, "Why are there people like this?"

Until my Aunt offered me to study an instrument, which I opted to do. There, I encountered Jesus Christ and discovered that I am not alone and that I am in His presence. I ran into him on the day of our Life Class Encounter. I learned a lot from him and know how much he loves me just the way I am. Like I used to.

So I can show myself through reading the Bible, writing novels, or even with digital arts. I am no longer hurt by what others say to me, and I view all of my failures as life lessons.

I'm Eli, and this is my journal of how I met Jesus Christ in my life.

"You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm comin' back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus."

My eyes opened and tears streamed down my cheeks. I was listening to one of my favorite praise songs. That's when I realized I'd been dreaming about what I'd written in my journal.

"Sis, there are Hershey's in the fridge! Eat them until the kids can get them."

"Just a moment."

I stood up and smiled as I looked out the window and at the sky and said, "Thank you, Jesus, for helping me to discover my true self, for who am I, and the reasons why I live today."