BULLIED

Story 104

"I would just like to say that I am not proud of what I did, even if it wasn't serious bullying. It happened in year 2, so you may not think that means much, but I reckon all bullying is bullying, no matter what the age of those experiencing it is.

When I started school, I was quiet, did my work, and had one best friend, Friend 1.

In year 1, Friend 1was in a different class, and had a different group of friends, including Friend 2. They asked me if I wanted to be in their group, but by now I had different interests, and Friend 2 didn't really like me. So I said no, and hung out by myself. At the time I thought I liked being alone, when really, I was lonely.

Year 2, and a different class, I met 'Best Friend'. We got on so well. I finally felt like someone didn't mind being around me, and didn't judge me for working hard in class, being terrible at sports, and clueless about what was popular.

However, Best Friend had another friend, Friend 3. I always felt like she liked Friend 3 better than me, and I was scared of being alone again. So I asked Best Friend who she liked more. More than once. She'd say me, but I wasn't sure if she was just being nice. I kept asking her why, and what was bad about Friend 3. It gave me more confidence, and we started talking more about Friend 3 behind her back. Best Friend was really uncomfortable with it, but I pressed on.

Once, I was sitting with Best Friend and some other people in our group. Friend 3 was on the other side of the playground, by herself, watching us.

I asked each person in our group to share an embarrassing secret about Friend 3. I told them it was fine and wasn't bullying because Friend 3 couldn't hear us.

Best Friend told me 'it was kind of mean.' I felt hurt at the time, but it was the best thing she could've said. Then Best Friend said she was going to sit with Friend 3. She did. Then, one by one, every member of our group followed her, until it was me left alone. Funny thing is, that fear of being alone was the reason I bullied in the first place.

Another strange thing: In year 3, I was bullied (mainly by Friend 2)

Bullying accomplished nothing. The only things it gave me were a memory I am ashamed of and regret, and a story that I find hard to tell, but have told it now to show people that bulling and hurting other people ends up hurting you as well.

Year 4, and I started over. New friends, new group. A great group, actually- there was no bullying since. Some of those friends remained friends through high school, as well as Best Friend. Even Friend 3 and I get along pretty well. I haven't being involved in any bullying since.

I guess my story ends now, but I will say this: if you are a bully, you CAN change. It won't just benefit the person/people you're mean to, but it will also help you."