The first time I saw her, I knew she was too cool to be my friend.

She had a black band T-shirt on, was chatting with a friend, and exuded “coolness.” I was sure that she would never speak to me.

And then, senior year came, and she was in my production class.

Along with the rest of my amazing classmates, we played games, had inside jokes, did shows, and all without really becoming close at all.

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but by the end of second semester, we were collectively sad that we hadn’t known each other sooner.

She loves fashion and makeup (though she’ll tell you she’s not good at either).

She hates when people butcher her name.

She tears herself apart on the things that you can’t help but love her for.

She makes you feel welcome and wanted and needed.

She is talented and creative (but, again, she won’t think that’s enough).

And we have to continually remind each other that high school was not our peak, that there is so much more to come.

Thank you, M.T.K.M.

you know what for.

-Alexandra Eckelbarger