“So close no matter how far, couldn’t be much more from the heart, forever trust in who we are, and nothing else matters.”

- Metallica

They say that sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help you figure out who you are or want to become.

They come to save you, even when you don’t think you need it. I used to be a person who needed saving.

Matt Maguire was the person who saved me, even when he couldn’t save himself, and I’ll never forget him.

Back then, I believed I was perfect. But really, what is perfect? My definition has changed dramatically over the last six months.

Now I know that nobody’s perfect, and at least these days I am happy. I know your probably thinking ‘happy? So what?’ but to me, happy is everything.

You see, I’m nothing special. I thought I was for a long time, but when it comes down to it, I’m only just one girl in the whole wide world.

There are girls out there much more remarkable than I am – prettier girls, smarter girls, richer girls, kinder girls.

I may not be special, but I’m not nothing. I am me, and that’s all that matters. That’s all Matt wanted me to be.

When you think about it, all we can be is ourselves. That’s all that is required of us, to not be just like everybody else.

I was the most popular girl in town. I had everything a girl could ever want - Money, looks, class, a hot boyfriend, and social standing. I was well brought up, and I was everything a well brought up girl should be.

But I was someone else too. I was scared. Scared to show who I was, so I put on an act. But not anymore.

I know who and what I am, and I’m going to be it, no matter what anyone else thinks.

My name is Gemma Leigh Keogh, and this is my story.