The Grace in the Fall

Shiloh

Shiloh's story is an interesting one. How could it not be interesting when she is an interesting girl? There was just something about her that left us confused. She didn't actively reach out to people like most new students did. She just waited in the corner for someone to find her and when no one did I decided I would for them. However I didn't decide to befriend her quickly, it almost took one and a half years before I noticed her. By the time I had found her, it was nearly too late because slowly and slowly Shiloh's light faded. 

Shiloh's story begins on a rainy day in October. Everyone was miserable that day. It was rainy and muddy and we had to walk to school. We ended up tracking mud throughout the whole school. Our Principle made us go to an assembly for wiping your shoes off before you walk into school but that's not really important. What is important is what happened that morning. I was talking to the most popular cheerleader with the full intent of asking her out. I didn't necessarily want to ask her out because she wasn't really my type but I was the Quarterback of the Varsity football team as a Sophomore so it was kind of forced upon me.

I was about to ask her out when another Sophomore came stumbling along. It was very clear she was about to fall but no one was steadying her. I was about to but I was too late and she fell onto Jessica. I helped both of them up. I vaguely recognized her as a new girl in my Ward. I thought about it and remembered her in my Sunday School class. Her name was Shiloh. She thanked me quickly and scurried away. When I turned my attention back to Jessica she was staring daggers at where Shiloh had been standing. 

I was a little worried for Shiloh. She seemed like a nice girl and in no way was she ready for Jessica's wrath. However it wasn't my problem so I thought nothing of it. Soon enough Jessica started picking on Shiloh. One by one the cheerleaders all began to pick on her, at first it was behind her back, mocking her and such but then one day Jessica decided she wanted to hurt her more than just mentally.

Everyone in school either hated Shiloh or didn't care enough to help her. It seemed like the whole school wasn't willing to help out Shiloh. Even me. I didn't know Shiloh so why should I help her. Plus I had Football to focus on. We were going to get state champions that year, I could feel it.

None of the teachers were helping either. Jessica wasn't physically hurting Shiloh so they didn't think they needed to intervene. However Shiloh was strong spirited and wouldn't let Jessica get to her. That pissed Jessica off so badly. I could tell Jessica was wanting blood. When we went to the diner right across the street from the school and Shiloh and her little sister sitting in our booth was the last straw for Jessica. She was about to send Shiloh through Hell.

We ended up sitting in the booth behind her. I was sitting in the seat closest to the window and Jessica was sitting closest to the aisle. When Shiloh got up to use the bathroom Jessica couldn't resist. She stuck her boot out from underneath the table. Shiloh tripped and fell badly on her wrist. Shiloh's little sister got up from the booth and rushed over to her older sister's side and they left the diner. As Shiloh left you could see the tears in her eyes.

On Sunday Shiloh was clutching her swollen wrist in church and that Monday she had it in a cast. At that point I think Jessica had finally gotten to her. After two months of relentless bullying Jessica's physical actions had broken her. You could tell by the look in her eyes she wasn't there. At least not mentally. She stopped talking in school and that's when I first started getting worried. I was getting worried but I wasn't doing anything. I was just watching her.

After Shiloh's wrist healed Jessica began pushing Shiloh out of the way or tripping her. It wasn't really funny anymore when you would see that there was nothing behind Shiloh's eyes anymore.

Still I didn't do anything to stop her. I let Jessica have a field day and it will probably be my biggest regret in my life. After silently observing her I figured I needed to figure out how she deals, I can hardly handle any criticism and here is a girl who everybody avoids for the fear of Jessica's wrath. I started observing Shiloh more closely. Here was her routine.