- 5 months ago
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00:01Hi, I'm Shayla from Texas, and I'm a child genius.
00:05Before I continue, please like and subscribe.
00:08I was only six when I discovered I was what people called gifted.
00:12I was at my friend's birthday party, and we were having a contest on who could solve a Rubik's Cube first.
00:17Well, I solved it in 19 seconds.
00:21Mommy, mommy, mommy, she cheated!
00:24That's crazy! How could I cheat? You were watching me the whole time!
00:28Stop lying, Shayla! There's no way you could solve the Rubik's Cube that fast. Now go sit in the corner.
00:33But that's so unfair!
00:36I didn't want to play more party games after that, because all the kids kept calling me a cheat.
00:41When I got home, I told my parents what happened, and a few days later, they had me tested.
00:46And it turned out, I had an insanely high IQ, just like my mom, who was a respected neurologist.
00:52Cool, right?
00:53Well, not exactly. I got moved up two grades, which meant I was the youngest in the class.
00:59And no one wanted to be friends with a little six-year-old who was every teacher's favorite.
01:04By the time I got to high school, I felt like a total outcast.
01:08One night in ninth grade, I was home alone, even though it was Valentine's Day.
01:12And tons of kids at school were out on dates.
01:15Knock, knock! I have a Valentine's Day present for you, sweetie.
01:19Thanks. At least I have one Valentine tonight, even if it is just my mom.
01:24Here, open this box.
01:26I pulled out a bracelet with an infinity symbol on it.
01:29What's this?
01:30Shayla, people like you and I, we're not like everyone else.
01:34We're smarter, and ten times more special.
01:37This is an infinity bracelet.
01:39And remember that nobody can hold you back from your potential.
01:43Do you understand? I… I think so.
01:46After that night with mom, I decided it was time to change my attitude and stop feeling sorry for myself.
01:52So for the first time during lunch, I decided to eat in the cafeteria with everyone else instead of alone in the janitor's closet.
01:59Then suddenly, as I was walking, a flyer hit me smack in the face.
02:04Greetings, miss.
02:05May I interest you in joining the most amazing club in all of Texas?
02:10The humble mathletes.
02:12Uh, what are the mathletes?
02:14Ugh, ignore him.
02:16His name is Nolan, and he's the new kid.
02:18He's trying to recruit fellow dorks to compete in math tournaments across Texas.
02:23Well, I think math is fun.
02:25Sign me up.
02:25Cool.
02:26I don't usually allow younger kids on my team, but I'll make an exception.
02:30Ugh.
02:31I ended up joining Nolan's math team, and the two of us became friends.
02:35Nolan wasn't gifted the way I was, but he was still smart.
02:39And a really sweet guy.
02:40Finally, the day of our state tournament arrived, and my mom called to tell me that she was coming.
02:45I can't believe it.
02:46My mom never takes a day off from work.
02:49Nolan, we have to win today.
02:50I really want to make her proud.
02:52Calm down, girl.
02:54We're gonna crush this tournament.
02:56Nolan pulled me into a hug, and for some reason, it made my stomach do cartwheels.
03:01The competition went well, but in the final round, Nolan got two answers wrong, and that
03:06cost us the first place trophy.
03:08Oh well.
03:09Second place it is then.
03:10How about we celebrate with milkshakes and an MSA marathon?
03:14I was about to agree when I saw mom standing behind me with a very disappointed face.
03:19I excused myself to talk to her.
03:21Why were you so happy back there?
03:23You're not embarrassed that you got second place?
03:25Hey, second place is still really good.
03:29Shayla, why are you friends with someone like Nolan?
03:32He's obviously not very bright.
03:34It's his fault you didn't win.
03:36Mom, don't talk that way.
03:38Nolan is really smart, and we've become good friends.
03:42Suddenly, mom took my wrist and started to unclasp the infinity bracelet.
03:46What are you doing?
03:48I shouldn't have given this to you, Shayla.
03:50You don't seem to care much about unlocking your potential.
03:52I'll just have to live with the disappointment.
03:54No, stop.
03:56I do care.
03:57I'm gonna make things right.
03:58Just give me a chance.
04:00I ended up riding home with dad without saying goodbye to Nolan.
04:04And the next day at school, I tried avoiding him until he showed up at my locker.
04:08Hey, Sunshine.
04:09I thought we were gonna celebrate, but you left.
04:11Are you okay?
04:12Nolan, we can't be friends anymore.
04:15What?
04:16Why?
04:16You want me to be honest?
04:18Of course.
04:19You're not smart the way I am.
04:21You're average at best.
04:23And if we continue hanging out, you're just gonna hold me back.
04:27I'm so sorry.
04:28I ran away before Nolan could answer, feeling horrible.
04:31Nolan didn't speak to me again after that, and I didn't blame him.
04:35Then two months later, my life took a turn.
04:38Mom was offered a research position in China.
04:41So, does that mean we're moving to China?
04:43No.
04:44Only I'm moving.
04:46And I'm divorcing your father.
04:48I just can't have anyone in my way right now.
04:50But don't worry.
04:51You and I will keep in touch.
04:53Mom kissed my cheek, and tears filled my eyes.
04:56After Mom left, I tried to keep busy and comfort Dad, who wasn't taking the divorce too well.
05:02One afternoon, I was sitting on the porch when I saw a van pull into our driveway.
05:06A lady came out, and to my surprise, it was my first grade teacher.
05:10Mrs. Johnson?
05:11Is that you?
05:13Shayla?
05:14I haven't seen you since they pulled you out of my class to move you up to grades.
05:18Mrs. Johnson invited me to dinner that night.
05:20But while we were eating, she kept asking me if something was wrong.
05:24And I just couldn't hold it in.
05:26I told Mrs. Johnson all about Mom leaving and how hard school was, and how much I missed Nolan.
05:32It doesn't matter, though.
05:33I just need to focus on myself and my goals.
05:37I remember I was just like you, Shayla.
05:40My grades and my dreams meant everything to me.
05:44But I realized over time that part of success is also about being happy.
05:49No offense, but that sounds like a cheesy quote you'd read on Instagram.
05:53Maybe, but it's true.
05:55Try doing at least one thing that makes you happy this week, sweetheart.
05:58I was exhausted from finals.
06:01So that week, I decided to take Mrs. Johnson's advice.
06:04I went to the community pool to sunbathe when I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk.
06:08Whoa, easy.
06:10Thanks.
06:11At that moment, I realized the lifeguard was Daryl, the most popular guy in school.
06:16I usually save people from water, not concrete.
06:19You look familiar.
06:21I feel like I know you from somewhere.
06:23What's your name?
06:24I was about to tell him, but then I paused.
06:26Boys like Daryl usually never talk to me, and I wanted to start off on the right foot.
06:31I'm Cher.
06:33I'm Cher, like the singer.
06:35And you're pretty like her, too.
06:37I'm having a party tonight.
06:39How about you be my date?
06:40Whoa.
06:41Did he just ask me out?
06:43Of course I said yes.
06:45And that night, I got super dolled up for the party and even bought a new dress.
06:50The party was so much fun, and I danced with Daryl for hours.
06:54And when I saw the other kids at school there, I told them I'd changed my name.
06:58Because, well, I had a chance to be a new me.
07:02At one point, I had to go to the bathroom, but I opened the wrong door, which apparently
07:06was a bedroom.
07:07Oh my god, what are you doing in my room?
07:09Nolan?
07:10Nolan?
07:10I...
07:11This is Daryl's house.
07:12Yeah, and my mom and I moved in here two weeks ago.
07:15Daryl's my cousin.
07:16Oh, I didn't know that.
07:18Of course you didn't.
07:19Daryl doesn't want to be associated with nerds.
07:22How did you get invited here anyway?
07:24Actually, I'm...
07:25Not a nerd anymore.
07:26I've decided to change.
07:28Also, my name isn't Shayla anymore.
07:30It's Cher.
07:32Cher?
07:32Yeah.
07:33So, if you could call me that from now on...
07:36No, I don't have the time or energy for this.
07:39Go back to the party, will you?
07:40And don't walk by my room again.
07:42Nolan slammed the door in my face, and I felt bad.
07:45But I really didn't want to deal with the drama at the moment.
07:49I just wanted to have fun.
07:50A week later, Daryl and I started dating.
07:52I asked everyone to start calling me Cher instead of Shayla, and just like that, I became
07:58popular.
07:59I started dressing differently, and I didn't wear my infinity bracelet anymore.
08:04One day at school, the teacher handed back last week's physics exam, and even though
08:08I hadn't studied as much, I got a hundred.
08:10I was grinning to myself during recess, when Daryl took the paper out of my hand.
08:15What you got there, babe?
08:16Whoa.
08:17You got a hundred on a physics test?
08:20What are you?
08:21Some kind of computer bot?
08:22No.
08:23My brain just works a little differently than other people.
08:26Like a little Miss Smarty Pants?
08:28Wait.
08:29Are you one of those nerds who think she's better than the rest of us, just because she
08:33can memorize a few extra facts?
08:35I thought you were cool.
08:36I am cool.
08:37You know what?
08:38It was just dumb luck that I got full marks.
08:40I thought we might have to break up.
08:43Daryl and his friends made it clear they hated nerds.
08:48So for the next few weeks, I purposely failed all of my tests and didn't do any homework,
08:53which they all high-fived me for.
08:55The end of the semester school party came around, and the theme was game night.
09:00Daryl and his friends just wanted to play foosball and table tennis, but I couldn't
09:04help being distracted by a bunch of kids playing trivia.
09:06What is a five-pointed star called in geometry?
09:10Time's ticking away, guys.
09:11This is a crucial round.
09:13Anyone in the room who knows what the answer is?
09:15Why would anyone know that, loser face?
09:18Can you stop ruining the party and have your geek-a-thon somewhere else?
09:21I knew the answer, but of course, I stayed quiet.
09:25But I wasn't having any fun with my friends either.
09:28Daryl was busy with the boys, and the girls kept commenting how my dress wasn't flattering
09:32and how my pink lipstick wasn't a good color on me.
09:36Can you stop criticizing me already?
09:38At least I don't, um, have her outfit.
09:41That's really hideous.
09:43The girl I'd pointed at turned around, and suddenly, I felt really guilty.
09:48Why had I said that?
09:49Just then, Nolan came and took the girl's hand.
09:52Leave my date alone.
09:53She looks beautiful tonight.
09:55Oh, she's your date?
09:57Yup.
09:58She joined the math leads right after you left.
10:01Nolan put his arm around the girl, and I tried to push the feeling I had away.
10:05Was it jealousy?
10:06The party sucked, and I decided to go home early.
10:09But when I arrived, Dad called me into the living room and said Mom was on a video call
10:14and wanted to talk to me urgently.
10:16Shayla?
10:17Is that really you?
10:18I've never seen you wear so much makeup.
10:21It's not that much makeup.
10:23I was just at a party.
10:24Oh, I see.
10:26Partying on a school night?
10:28Well, that would explain the email I got from your principal today, calling me in for a meeting
10:33to discuss your grades.
10:34You've been failing your classes?
10:36Um, yeah.
10:38I didn't do so well in a few tests, but I can make up for it.
10:41Really?
10:42Because your principal said that if you fail even one more exam, they'll put you on academic
10:47probation.
10:48Can you imagine how I felt reading that?
10:51Wait, where's your bracelet?
10:53Well, it doesn't match with the new clothes I wear now.
10:56What?
10:56I gave you that bracelet because I wanted to inspire you to live up to your limitless potential.
11:01But instead, you've turned out to be a complete disappointment.
11:06You know what, Mom?
11:07I'm not a little girl anymore.
11:09I don't need a stupid bracelet to remind me what I'm capable of.
11:13Just like I don't need your validation to feel good about myself.
11:16This is the first time you've called me in weeks.
11:20I'm your daughter.
11:21There's more to me than good grades.
11:23You don't value me the way I value you.
11:26I'm done trying to make our relationship work.
11:29As I ran outside my front yard, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
11:33Haven't seen you around in a while.
11:35Oh, hi, Miss Johnson.
11:38You look lovely tonight.
11:39Did you meet a nice boy?
11:41Oh, is that why you haven't been stopping by?
11:44I don't know what happened then.
11:45But suddenly, I ran to Miss Johnson and burst into tears.
11:49She hugged me as I told her everything.
11:52About Mom, the bracelet, how Nolan replaced me, and how I'd turned into a superficial bimbo.
11:58Oh, Shayla, don't talk about yourself that way.
12:01I think I know what the problem is.
12:04You do?
12:04Yes.
12:05First, you tried being who your mom wanted you to be.
12:09Then, you tried being who the kids at school thought you should be.
12:12You've tried to be everything except yourself.
12:16Miss Johnson's words struck a chord in me.
12:19I thought about them all weekend.
12:21And on Monday, I pulled out the infinity bracelet.
12:24But this time, it meant something different to me.
12:26I wasn't letting anyone hold me back.
12:29And I had to start by making things right with Nolan.
12:32Nolan, hey, I know it's been a minute, but I'd love to be a mathlete again, if you'll have me.
12:38Hmm.
12:39Let me think.
12:40No.
12:40Nolan, please.
12:42I've changed.
12:43I don't want to be a stuck-up jerk anymore.
12:45I'll apologize to your girlfriend for mocking her outfit, too.
12:48Firstly, she's not my girlfriend.
12:50She was just my date that night.
12:52And secondly, you're a fake.
12:53And I just can't take that person seriously.
12:56Share.
12:57Just then, Daryl walked over to us.
12:59Hey, babe.
13:00Want to go with me to a concert tonight?
13:02Ugh.
13:02Why are you talking to him?
13:04Because Nolan's my friend.
13:06I'm really not.
13:07You were at one point.
13:09We were on the mathletes together.
13:11The mathletes?
13:12That's a club for losers.
13:14You're better than that.
13:15Come on, let's go.
13:16Daryl started to pull me away.
13:18But something inside me snapped.
13:20No.
13:21I'm staying here with Nolan.
13:22And he's not a loser.
13:24He's your cousin, and maybe it's time you start treating him with the respect he deserves.
13:28I should have treated him better, too.
13:30Aw.
13:30That's a cute speech.
13:32But if you want to be my girlfriend, you can't hang out with my dork cousin or join the mathletes' share.
13:37Isn't it obvious that I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore?
13:41I feel pathetic that I dumbed myself down to fit in.
13:44I'm a nerd.
13:46And proud to be one.
13:47And just for the record, I know what a five-point star is called in geometry.
13:51It's a decagon.
13:52And I'm going back to being Shayla.
13:55I marched off like a boss, pulling Nolan behind me.
13:58You know, maybe you can rejoin the mathletes.
14:02We are one team member short, and there's a tournament coming up.
14:06Oh my god.
14:07You mean I can be on your team again?
14:09And you forgive me?
14:10Oh, Nolan, thank you.
14:12Hey, I didn't say I forgive you.
14:14But I do need your brain for the competition.
14:16I'm not exactly smart the way you are.
14:18Nolan, I'm sorry for saying that.
14:20The pressure to succeed turned me into a toxic person.
14:24The truth is, I think you're smarter than me.
14:26I don't have a quarter of your emotional intelligence.
14:29That's nice of you to say.
14:31Thanks.
14:32Nolan hugged me, and I felt my stomach doing cartwheels again.
14:35Maybe one day, he could be more than a friend.
14:38I don't know how to tease me out.
14:49And I feel free of drawing.
14:51Thanks.
14:52Sorry.
14:52Awesome.
14:53Thanks.
14:53Thanks.
14:54Hi.
14:55I don't believe you're smart.
14:55And I feel fine.
14:58Subscribe.
15:00Shout out.
15:02Hey.
15:03How can't you tell me?
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