( the girl listens to her friend very closely -- taking in each word to heart and musing over them. her tongue once against trail along her teeth as she goes to tug on her braid; idly picking. )

I'm... kinda in a weird spot with myself. I wanna stay as me. I don't wanna change 'cuz I've already changed. I like me. But I... also wanna improve on a few things with this new life.

( how to elaborate? )

Havin' friends is nice. A-And I like when people get happy over the things I've done for 'em. I want that more. ... It feels good to help a lil' and it's not screwin' me over.

( her tone is sounding to hopeful when she says all this. her face even lights up briefly. but then it sinks away; fading off into the sorrow. )

But, I dunno... — this path I'm on. I can't stray too far from it. Or else somethin' bad will happen.