What if someone

took photos of you,

showing everyone

what makes you different?

What part of you

would you want to hide?

Do you think it’s funny

to make another person feel

like less of a human?

PS

You must feel

kind of bad

about yourself

if you feel good

when you hurt someone else.

PPS

Sorry I stole the memory card.

That was wrong of me,

no matter what you did.

TAKING A STAND

It’s been a quiet week at school,

so I should have known something

was coming.

On Friday, when I go to my locker

before heading to the library,

I find a picture taped to it.

It’s my head—

photoshopped on a whale’s body.

I tear it down, ball it up, and

throw it at Marissa.

Hard.

Wham!

I’d aimed for her head,

but hit her heart.

Well, where her heart would be,

if she had one.

She just snickers and walks away.

And then, as if that weren’t enough,

Enemy Number 3 decides

to start his old lunchtime routine

of slamming his back against the hallway wall

as if I take up all the room.

“Get back! Make room! Thar she blows!”

But instead of lowering my head in shame,

I hold my head up high and

lock eyes with Enemy Number 3 until

I’m standing in front of him.

“You think you’re funny,” I tell him.

“But you’re just plain old mean.

Maybe I can’t stop you,

but I can at least

make you look me in the eye

every time you do it.

And I will, from now on.”

As I walk away,

I realize I’ve been

starfishing—

starting to claim my right

to take up space

in this place.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Doc wouldn’t approve of

me throwing stuff at Marissa.

Oops.

But I think she’d give me

a giant thumbs-up for

how I confronted Enemy Number 3.

I’m not the best at math,

but even I know that

one out of two isn’t bad.

Then I notice Mrs. Boardman

is in the hallway, too.

“Come with me to my classroom

for a minute, Ellie,”

she says.

Mrs. Boardman motions for me

to have a seat.

I flop down at a desk,

and we both stare at

my shaking hands.

“Confrontations aren’t easy,” she says.

“I’m sorry some students

make school hard for you.

I know it takes lots of

strength to face them.

I think you’re brave.

You’re a great writer and have a

way with words.

I hope you’ll keep using your voice

to share your point of view.

To show others what it’s like

to walk in your shoes.

And maybe they’ll feel empowered to

stand up to their bullies.”

Her words make me feel better.

Today I faced my bullies.

And maybe I can show other kids

that it can be done.

PERMANENTLY ALTERED