Mature is a matter of actions, not feelings.
I'm 17 now, and have always felt more mature also, but then - that's probably the kind of thing that goes on those personality tests which ask a couple of wuestions and give a standard base statement which will get an average of 4.5 out of 5 on accuracy of description from everyone who looks at it...
On the other hand, I've always (so far as my memory reaches), treated others as equals insofar as they act in such a way as to deserve some kind of respect, and I've found that I have been treated as an equal in return - that's the important thing. Many "adults" aren't worthy of that respect, but for the ones that are, you have to show them that you are worthy of their respect too...

While you may feel confident about your independence in that way, it isn't really so - I think you'd find it would be a lot harder than you think, although that said I've never felt the need to leave (although I'm moving out of home in... just a few days now) , because ultimately what would you gain from being "free" as you term it? Not much. Hey, you might not get constantly told to do things, but those things would remain having to be done, plus a lot of others that you've never even thought of.

Regarding relationships... wait a while! 13 is still young, regardless of how mature you may be emotionally - _you will change_ in the next few years. I know I'm not the same person as I was a couple of years ago even... If said person stays the "one" over the next couple of years, then sure, it's another matter. However if you are that mature, then it's a matter of patience, which I'll agree is painful and at times seems impossible, but do, the regret that may stem from waiting will never be as great as the possible regret and problems that could occur from not waiting.

Just to restate, I'm 17 and regard myself as very mature in a lot of ways, but I don't for a moment consider myself above making mistakes - and when I do, it's invariably to make a mistake, so... patience :)
And good luck.

El "Possibly coming from a very different background" Fishski