The speaker, Soleil, shares her journey of self-discovery and resilience. Born with a condition called macrodontia, causing her teeth to be larger than normal, she faced constant bullying at school. However, she found solace in singing, which became her dream.
At the age of 15, her life took a turn when she met Lydia, a famous child actress, who became her best friend. Lydia shielded Soleil from the bullies, and the two formed a strong bond. However, when they entered high school, things took a dramatic turn. Kids started staring and whispering about them, and Soleil even tripped over a shoe, landing on top of a girl named Kara.
Soleil discovers that Kara is Lydia's stalker and bodyguard. Lydia reveals that Kara had been sending her obsessive letters and had even tried to kidnap her. Lydia, scared and feeling unsafe, asks Soleil to be her bodyguard, which Soleil agrees to, despite the backlash from her peers.
However, Soleil soon realizes that Lydia is less concerned about her safety and more about her own reputation and image. When Lydia starts dating a boy who had previously hit on Soleil, she feels betrayed. Soleil's friendship with Lydia ends abruptly, and she feels a sense of loss and confusion.
Soleil's life takes another turn when she discovers that Kara has been spying on her and Lydia. Kara has a diary filled with nasty comments about everyone at school, including Soleil. Soleil confronts Lydia about the diary, and their friendship ends.
Soleil decides to share Kara's diary online, revealing Lydia's true nature. Kara, realizing the damage she has caused, decides to help Soleil get revenge at the school's showcase.
Feeling depressed, Soleil refuses to go to school for two days. However, her mother convinces her to get braces, which she initially resents but later appreciates. Soleil feels a sense of relief and happiness after the braces treatment.
When she returns to school, she finds that Lydia has been publicly humiliated, and her friends have deserted her. Soleil decides to face her fears and perform at the school's showcase with Kara. The audience cheers and whistles, and Soleil feels empowered. The story ends with Soleil's realization that life is about making choices and learning from them.
1. The speaker is named Soliel and she is from Monterey Bay.
2. Soliel was born with a condition called macrodontia, which means her teeth were much larger than normal size.
3. Soliel was bullied in school because of her teeth.
4. One instance of bullying was when her teacher, Mrs. Smith, told her to keep her mouth closed for a school picture because her teeth were distracting.
5. Soliel's parents got Mrs. Smith fired for discrimination against a child.
6. After the picture day incident, kids at school started making fun of Soliel's teeth.
7. Soliel was shy and didn't sing in public.
8. A new girl, Lydia, moved to their class. Lydia was a famous child actress and Soliel adored her.
9. Soliel confided in Lydia about the bullying and Mrs. Smith.
10. Lydia was supportive and stood by Soliel, which helped her through the bullying.
11. In high school, Soliel and Lydia became best friends.
12. At high school, they faced staring and whispering incidents.
13. Soliel tripped over someone's shoe in the library and fell on top of another girl.
14. The girl who fell was Kara. Kara was described as a mysterious girl who never talked to anyone.
15. Kara was a stalker of Lydia and had been sending her weird letters.
16. Soliel became Lydia's bodyguard.
17. Soliel's role as a bodyguard was challenging and she had to protect Lydia from everyone.
18. Soliel had a confrontation with a jock who tried to push her aside to talk to Lydia.
19. Soliel was saved by Kara, who pinned the jock's arms behind his back.
20. Soliel discovered Kara's talent as a pianist.
21. Soliel and Kara decided to perform together at the spring showcase.
22. Lydia was upset when she found out about Soliel and Kara's performance.
23. Lydia tried to stop Soliel from performing by revealing embarrassing things about her in a video.
24. Soliel and Kara decided to post the video online if Lydia tried to stop them from performing.
25. Lydia and Soliel were cousins.
26. Soliel read Lydia's diary, which revealed Lydia's true character.
27. Soliel got braces for her teeth.
28. Lydia was upset when she saw Soliel with braces.
29. Soliel and Kara performed at the spring showcase.
30. Soliel posted pages of Lydia's diary on Instagram, revealing Lydia's true character to everyone.
31. Soliel and Kara stood together on stage, cheered by the audience.
32. The narrative ends with the advice to not be afraid of the decisions one makes in life.