I didn't even recognize myself anymore...
Why can’t we all just get along? I have thought about that so much since I first became a teenager. The number of times girls have been rude, caddy, and downright mean, for what seems like no reason, (other than I must make an easy target) is ridiculous. Every time a bully has gone after me, I feel myself withdraw and become less and less of who I really am. Sometimes, I didn’t even recognize myself anymore.
When I was a freshman, my family moved and I started going to a different school. I was nervous but hopeful I would fit in and find friends. I am usually pretty outgoing, so I started smiling and saying hi to people. Then all the crap started. Some chicks, I guess because they had nothing better to do, started calling me the “facef--er” and I was ridiculed and tormented on a daily basis until I stopped smiling altogether. Some girls even spread horrible rumors and lies about me, and then suggested I kill myself. I felt that if I could just disappear, things would be easier.
But then I got mad, wait a minute, I thought, I do have a right to be myself, to smile, to look and act how I want. I have been through a lot over the past few years, but I refuse to let those mean people keep me from being free to be who I am. I have made a promise to myself to never, ever, let someone else intimidate me and make me not smile. I also will never ever watch someone else being bullied and not say something. I may not be popular, I may not be the most beautiful, most talented, or the smartest, but I am a worthwhile person, I do have a voice, and I will use it to make things better. I just wanted to share a little and let others out there know you’re not alone. If we all stand up to the mean people, they won’t have the power anymore.
