I Am Not Gifted

All of my friends tell me how "lucky" I am, because I'm so "smart"
They think that because my grades are better than theirs that I'm "gifted"
I would just like to clear all of that up right now by saying its not true. I didn't always get perfect grades.  I didn't have all of the cards stacked in my favor all my life. I didn't wake up one day and magicaly know more than the average person.

Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of all my scholarly achievements, but I'm not "gifted" and I sure as hell am not "lucky".
I worked my ass off for those grades! And no one is going to downplay that by saying I'm a "natural" at it.

I did this.
I am the one who stayed home reading while my friends went out and partied.
I am the one who stayed up at night studying why others slept off their hangover.
I am the one who stayed after school to get help from the teacher while others played sports.
I did this.
I am not gifted, I am not lucky, I am not a natural.
I am hard-working, I am dedicated, and I am passionate.

I am me, and I am proud of it.