Bullying: Time for Change

Keyanna

Another day. Another glorious day of nonstop torture. It seems as if it's never-ending. There's no light at the end of the tunnel, and no one is here to help me.

She shouts at me, and I shy away into a safe place. I honestly wish it wasn't so hard. She reaches out her hand, and I attempt to grab it. She punches me in the face. It's normal now. "Shouldn't I be used to it," my thoughts swirl in my head.

She shoves me against the lockers, and I turn away. Her harsh words inevitably trigger me into feeling worse about myself. Once, the bell rings she's gone, and its as if nobody sees. I have an excuse every day for all my endless scars and visible bruises. I wish it would all end.

I go home and there's nothing but more torture.

Nobody else will stand up for me. I have a family but they don't seem to care. My mother and father yell my sisters fight with me, and I wish I could run away.

"Keyanna," they screech. Another order for me to do. "Why do I even come home?" I know you heard me. My sister got in my face once more.

Go away! Leave me alone!

I hear me, but they don't. I'm shrieking these words to myself.

Nobody's there. It's time for school once again, and I don't want to go. I need someone to see through my broken smiles and fake promises. I want someone to realize, it's not easy being me. I've been being harassed since I can remember.

Some people think, "it's not a big deal," that you can merely, "overcome it." How am I supposed to do something about being attacked? How do I stop someone from hitting, kicking, and punching me? It's all I know.

Everyone has taken their turn in bringing me down. There have been so many chances for someone to take up for me. "Stop." There have been many times where someone could have shown me my worth. But, I don't mean anything to anyone.

I am worthless.

From my standpoint, there is no one there that'll love you and treat you with respect. Friends are worthless because all the ones I thought I made seem to disappear when I need them the most. But, I'm ready for a change. I'm beyond tired of being bullied.

Someone came to me and wanted to talk. We shared experiences and opened up on what we've both been through. We have a lot of similarities, I took notes in my head. I'm proud of myself; I made a friend.

Maybe, having friends isn't so bad after all. Maybe, I can actually call her a friend. I have someone who has my back. She gave me all the courage I needed to finally be able to shake this bully.

I've had enough.

Stop!

The word came out so much louder than I imagined, but it felt so good. My body is shaking, I'm full of adrenaline. Although, I've never felt better. I finally have my freedom. She immediately walked away when the onlookers took notice of what she was doing.

I brushed myself off, and wiped the tears from my face. I can't this take anymore.

She stood up for me. Or, was it me?

Have I become my own friend? Do I have my own back, without desperately waiting for someone to be there?

I'm isolated, but I found myself.

I have reported everything to my counselors and now I'm finally free. They tell me, "Keyanna, you can do more. Apply yourself and don't worry about your bully, because we've got that handled. Focus on bettering yourself, and you'll have no problems."

I spoke up for myself; I have become my own hero. Now, no one can deny the person I have become. I am a fighter, and I can do this. I already know that I'm the only one who's going to be there for me, so it's my time now. I am capable of more. I am beautiful and I refuse to let anyone bring me down again.

One bully down and a million more to go but now I have all the strength I need to defeat anyone who dares to stand in my way. I also have a friend who's willing to be there for me on my road to recovery. Together we stand as we take on life. It's not going to be easy but I know for right now, that I'm going to be just fine.