The first time I was ever bullied was in fourth grade. My family moved across the city and so I changed schools. I was the "new kid". I never had trouble making friends and I am a very nice person so I didn't quite understand why I was being bullied. Boys would just call me names or look at me funny because of what someone else said. It was the girls who were nasty. They poured soda into my running shoes while it was outdoor recess. They called me fat, ugly, weird, stupid. They made fun of me constantly and verbally abused me whenever they had the chance. I had no friends. Sometimes as a cruel joke they would pretend to my friend one day and the next hate me. I was alone during recess/free time. I never had partners. In the girls changing rooms I wasn't allowed to change near anybody and in the washrooms they wouldn't let me wash my hands, then spread rumours. I ate lunch alone, I sat alone and I tried to avoid school. I'd "pretend" to be sick and never told my parents what was really going on because I was embarrassed. I am now 21 years old and when I think back, it scares me because I did think about suicide. This went on for 3 years till I got to high school where things changed and became a lot better for me. I'm a stronger person now and have overcome a lot. I can only hope that people read all these stories and know they aren't alone. xo