Shuttered: A Junior Self-Portrait Illustration by Jack Marquez (2011)

Everyone hides something, but some people hide more than others. Most try to hide only what they don't want others to see. I hide everything. I pull down all the blinds and close all the shutters. I can''t help it. I feel safe in my shuttered house, and pretend not to care that, from the outside, it looks like no one is home. Sure, I can hide some of my imperfections behind white walls, but the elements of my real personality--my sense of humor, friendly attitude, love of fun--all of them become trapped inside, too. Only those I let inside, or those who take the time to search for light in every window and try every lock see everything that I am.