---

Wow Chelsea, you’re in a tricky situation. I have been in this situation before and it is very hard to cope with. I used to come home from school because all the other girls teased me for being friends with the boys. But hey, you know what? Those boys were better friends then the girls would ever be! And if the girls at your school cannot see that you are a fantastic girl that could easily be a great friend, then there is something wrong with them. I don’t think that you should change your look to be friends with a bunch of girls that won't accept you the way you are! – Ebony, 11, New Zealand

Today's society can be so superficial! The difficult part is remaining true to yourself while worrying about being accepted by others. This is where your decision making comes in. You don't want to conform to society's standards of normal because the world is nothing without variety. Stay true to yourself and become comfortable with who you are. You are at a very difficult time in life and one of the things you have to do is to discover who you are and accept it. If you accept yourself and if you are happy, others will either join the club or stray away. Don't let it get you down because you are still growing. You have plenty of time to build bonds and friendships among open-minded people. Good luck! – Sarah, 17, Michigan

The greatest thing that we have in this world is the ability to be ourselves. Never let that go. It sounds like you have a good set of friends who love and respect you. There's a bigger world out there filled with people that judge others purely on personality. If you really want respect from a certain group of girls, just try starting a conversation. Show them that your music and clothing taste doesn't mean that you aren't a good person. – Molly, 14, Pennsylvania

---