Faults, Scars, and Guitar Strings

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I was listening through all of Lolita's songs and I felt that there were so many of her songs that fit perfectly with what I felt. I didn't get how she somehow knew. Sure some of there aren't really about bullying, but they sounded like they could be. I need to make a note to search for more artists who have songs that I can relate to. There are probably so many other artists releasing songs that would make me feel better. I woke up early and got ready, wearing my new favorite outfit. I piled on the eyeliner and lipstick before picking up my bag and heading over to David's. David was still paying my trainer so I had just got done with my workout. David answered the door and was surprised to see me.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"You have the camera and stuff right?" I asked.

"Yeah, but-"

"Did I forget to mention we are filming here?" I said.

"Kayla," he began.

"What? Your house is bigger than mom and dad's" I said, "Therefore we film at yours."

"Fine but what about school?" he asked.

"I worked it out with the principal, we aren't going today," I said.

"We?" he said.

"Yeah, we. The 13 other students being bullied. They should be showing up soon so we might want to get started," I said.

"You're unbelievable," he said walking into the living room.

"I love you too," I said following him.

He already had the camera set up. The first thing we were going to do is have each student sit in front of the camera and tell their story. We will record them telling their story, and when they are done, the next student will sit down and tell their story. Once everyone was done, we would start the next part of the video which was figuring out who each one of them is. There is something unique in all of us and the bullies don't see what is good about these people. I wanted to video tape their strengths and the things that were great about them. Whether they liked to sing or write or play sports. I knew there had to be something great about all of them. I set up a different game in several rooms of David's house. I was going to videotape them having fun. Singing karaoke, playing video games, playing sports, playing arcade games, and swimming in the pool.

They all showed up right on time in a group. I welcomed them into the house and led them to the living room. Lolita walked in behind them and they practically had a heart attack. I could tell it was their first time ever seeing her. I started explaining to them what was going to happen.

"As I explained in the e-mail, I was the bully's first target. I let them get to me and I developed an eating disorder and started cutting. That's my story. I know you all have a unique story to tell about what this bullying has done to you. So we are going to make a video. It's going to be a collaboration of all your stories and how bullying hurts. The first part of the video is each of you telling your stories. So each one of you is going to sit in front of the camera and tell their story individually. Once everyone is done I will explain the next step. The point here is not just to videotape it, but for all of us to listen. Listen carefully to what each person has gone through. Who wants to go first?" I said.

Maria, a girl in my math class was the first one to step forward. She sat on the chair in front of the camera and began, "I used to be popular. They started bullying Kayla, but I refused. It didn't look like it bothered her, but I saw it in her eyes. It hurt her more than anyone will ever know. No one else noticed, but I did. I saw her clothes start to get baggier as she started to lose weight. I remember her coming back one summer and she looked like a twig. There was absolutely nothing to her. I refused to be a part of what they were doing to her, and they hated me for it. They insulted me and bullied me claiming that I was her 'best friend' and I'm just like her. They pushed me off the bus and pushed me in the hallways. One day they pushed me into my locker and I had to be taken to the hospital for stitches. Recently, I was walking up to my house and they ran in front of me and pushed me down the stairs. That's how I broke my leg. If they asked me, I would proudly say that I stuck up for Kayla. More people should have."