Prompt: What every girl should know

When I left for college, there was a lot that I did not know. I had been more sheltered than I had realized, insulated by own desire to please. As such, I played the role of dutiful daughter well, a highlighter in my hand instead of a joint.

My mother had strong opinions when it came to religion. It wasn’t enough to wake up early on Sunday morning. It was best, in her eyes, to practically live at the church. I was unaware that four trips there a week wasn’t the norm for most families. Swimming through bible studies, prayer groups and AP courses, there was little time for me to get into trouble and even less time for me to spend with boys. When my mother pulled me out of a sex education class because I wouldn’t be having sex until marriage, I didn’t object. I heard some of the photos they showed on the projector were kinda gross anyway.

To say I was naïve when I started my unsupervised years is an understatement. My freshman year, a boy invited me over late and I showed up. I was shocked and insulted when he tried to kiss me.

I was good at making others happy. An expert at it, even. I knew exactly how to stow away my emotions to make more space for others. I could be anyone someone wanted me to be. A chameleon that floated from group to group morphing my opinions and values to match those around me.

Having always been so good at pleasing others, I was unaware how much would be taken from me when my body became collateral in my people pleasing game. I was accommodating. I didn't say no even when I was uncomfortable. 
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I learned the hard way what every girl must know: that in pleasing others you lose yourself.