The Bully List

Prologue

DEALING WITH BULLIES isn’t an easy thing to do. My parents tell me to ignore or avoid them. But it seems if you ignore them, it gets under their skin and they want to bully you even more. And that makes it’s even harder to avoid them. Does that make sense?

My teachers seem to be too busy with other things when it comes to bullies. I guess they have so many students they can’t be bothered by it all. They say they want to treat everybody the same. I think I understand that but it doesn’t always work out so well. I even wonder if some of the teachers aren’t scared of bullies.

I’m not the only one who gets bullied. I have some friends who have to deal with bullies, too. Sometimes we hang out together in hopes that the bullies will leave us alone. It works most of the time, unless there are some bullies together.

I remember one time when my bike had a flat tire I had to stay after school to help with a class project. I was in the classroom for about an hour or so to help my so-called team work on a map of the town by drawing pictures of different things. Drawing is something I really like to do. When I left school, I had to make sure before I walked out the front entrance that there were no bullies around. I wish Mom or Dad could have picked me up but they both work. I have to walk about a mile to get to my house. And when there are bullies around, it seems like a hundred miles because you have to be very careful where you go.

Every street you walk down, you have to be looking in all directions to make sure you don’t see any of them. It’s funny, though, when you see one by himself, he doesn’t do much unless he’s a lot bigger than you are. It’s when there are several of them together that you know you might be in trouble. Sometimes you might see one of them with their parents, and then they only make an ugly face at you. You can almost feel them laughing at you behind their mean expressions. You don’t dare say nor do anything. You just try to go in the opposite direction and get as far away from them as possible. Like I said, it’s not always so easy.

You just never know when you may run across the bullies, so you have to be very careful. It seems to happen when you don’t expect it. When I get close to my house, sometimes I run as fast as I can just in case there are bullies around. You just don’t want to take any chances. If you’ve been bullied, you know what I mean.

There was one time when I thought I made it back home, but the bullies followed me up on the front porch. Mom was in the kitchen at the back of the house. The bullies started pushing me back and forth and some of them hit me with their fists. I started hollering for Mom but it took a while for her to come to the front door. When she did, the bullies jumped off the porch and ran away. Some of them were laughing. After she opened the door, I told her what happened. A tear ran down her cheek. She said she thought I was just playing with friends and that we got a little loud. Mom apologized but she didn’t have to. It wasn’t her fault. Blame it on the bullies.

You know, I try to get along with everyone. I don’t want to hurt anyone and I don’t want anyone trying to hurt me or my friends. I can’t understand why bullies want to harm others. I even know some girls who get bullied by other girls. It’s not as physical, but it hurts them in other ways that makes them cry. The girl bullies seem to poke fun about the way someone acts or the way they dress. They even say nasty things about other girls. You know, mean rumors.

I’ve never cried but sometimes I feel like it. I don’t want to give bullies the satisfaction of seeing me cry. All I would hear from them if I did that would be crybaby, crybaby.

Bullies don’t seem to have to have a reason to pick on people. Sometimes they’ll choose someone because of the clothes they’re wearing, the way they talk, or even the music they listen to. Sometimes they’ll bump into you in the hallway at school or push you against the lockers. I remember one bully who poured milk over a friend’s lunch tray in the cafeteria. I don’t think the teachers saw what happened, or if they did, they didn’t do anything about it. The bullies just laughed at him. My friend just sat there and didn’t do anything. I guess he was afraid what they might do if he told on them.

It’s funny that some of these bullies used to be my friends when we were in elementary school. We played on baseball, soccer and basketball teams together. I don’t know what happened for them to become the way they are. There’s not that many bullies, just enough to make life miserable for me and some of my friends.

One

SAM AND I WERE HAVING a good time at the movie. Some friends were there and we all sat in the first few rows in the front of the theater. It was a science-fiction movie, or at least it seemed that way because there were aliens in it. But I thought it was like a horror movie because of all the scary creatures. Anyway, we were watching the movie when all of the sudden someone poured a bag of popcorn over Sam’s head. He jumped up real fast and turned around. I stood up as well to see what was going on because the theater was kinda dark inside.

There was some laughter, and then we saw Hunter Rollins holding an empty bag up high and grinning at Sam.

Sorry about that, wuss, Hunter said with a smirk on his face. I thought you might want some popcorn while watching the movie. His buddies Earl and Freddie stood next to him and started giggling like overgrown babies. Of course, I didn’t tell them that.

That’s not funny, Sam said, as he brushed popcorn off his head and clothes.

I thought it was hilarious, Earl said.

Me, too, Freddie chimed in.

Moments later, an usher hurried down the aisle holding a flashlight.

What’s going on here? he said in a low voice. He glanced and pointed a flashlight at each of us.

Sam looked at the bullies but didn’t say a word.

Uh, nothing sir, Hunter said. We’re just watching the movie and I guess this little guy got a little scared and jumped up from his seat and spilled his popcorn. He looked down at Sam, slowly shaking his head.

Well, go back to your seats. I don’t want to hear another peep down here or I’m kicking you all out. Understand?

Yes, sir, Hunter said, politely.

The man walked back up the aisle while Hunter, Earl and Freddie sat behind Sam and me.

I leaned over to Sam and whispered, Do you want to leave?

Nah, Sam said as he adjusted his glasses. I’ll be okay.

Hunter leaned forward and asked, What are you babies talking about?

Nothin’, Sam said as he slumped a little in his seat.

Then shut up, Hunter said, raising his voice. I’m trying to watch the movie! Earl and Freddie giggled.

Several times during the movie, Hunter reached over and flicked one of Sam’s ears. Sam would slightly shake his head. I knew he had to be irritated by it because his mouth tightened. But he didn’t say anything.

When the movie was over, Hunter, Earl and Freddie ran up the aisle to the front entrance, nearly knocking down a few people. They were out of sight within a few seconds.

What do you want to do? I asked Sam.

I don’t know, he said, shrugging his shoulders.

Why don’t we wait a few minutes before we leave? I want to make sure those guys aren’t outside waiting for us.

You want me to call someone to come pick us up? I think my mom’s at home.

Shoot no! Are you serious? They’d really get on us then.

We watched the movie credits until the auditorium was about empty before getting up from our seats. Sam looked around a little more, I suppose, to make sure the bullies weren’t still around.

Why don’t we go out the side exit? Sam said. They might be waiting for us out front.

Sure, I said. I just hope they’re not waiting for us there.

You’re right, Sam said with a frown. We wouldn’t have much of a chance to get away from them.

We ambled up the aisle that was littered with popcorn, candy wrappers, and soft-drink cups to the front foyer. A theater employee was sweeping trash into a scoop. I walked to the front door and looked both ways. I didn’t see Hunter and his friends anywhere.

I think it’s safe to leave. I motioned for Sam to the door. He looked both ways as well and then we stepped out into the bright sunshine. I figured Sam’s heart was beating fast. I must admit I was a little concerned as well.

Let’s go this way, Sam said. I followed him to the right. After walking a block, we looked down a side street and saw Hunter and his friends standing in front of a small diner. Fortunately, they didn’t see us.

Come on, I said. We dashed across the street and ran for several blocks, not daring to look behind us for fear we would have someone following us.

I hate those guys, Sam said after we stopped to catch our breaths. I wish I could do something to them.

I know what you mean. But what could we do?

Maybe we could egg their houses or something like that.

That’d be cool, but what would they do if they found out we did it? They’d kill us.

Yeah, Sam said with a shrug. You’re right.

A few moments later, a red car pulled up beside us. Hunter stuck his head out the passenger’s side window.

Oh, crap, Sam said softly. We both looked straight ahead and walked a little faster.

Where are you babies going? Hunter said.

Home, I said, turning to look at him. I saw Earl and Freddie in the backseat.

Hunter then clicked open the door while his friends opened their doors to get out of the car. Sam and I started running and were already a half block away before Hunter realized we had left.

Hey chickens!

Sam’s home was only three blocks away and we ran as fast as we could without looking back. His dad was in the front yard when we arrived. A minute later, Hunter and his friends slowly drove by. They started making sounds like a chicken. Buc, buc, buc....

What’s that all about? Sam’s dad asked him.

Oh, it’s nothing, Sam replied, and then we hurried into his house.

That was a close call, I said.

You’re telling me? Sam said with a laugh.

Two

Istayed at Sam’s house for about thirty minutes playing one of his video games. It was still daylight when I stepped out his front door. I couldn’t help looking down the street in both directions. I live about six blocks away and I have to cross several streets to get home. I used to cut across some yards and down an alley, but since I had to start dealing with the bullies, I stay on the main streets and just be careful where I go. I don’t want to get ambushed.

Hunter and his friends live in other neighborhoods. Hunter’s home is where some of the rich people in town live. They have big houses and some of them have swimming pools and tennis courts in their backyards. Earl and Freddie live in regular houses close to my neighborhood. I feel lucky to have a basketball goal in my driveway.

My dad works at the automobile factory in another town, so he has to get up early to go to work and he gets home a little late. Mom has a part-time job at a big department store. She tries to work during the day while I’m at school and sometimes on the weekends. I’m fifteen years old. Finally a teenager, but I don’t feel so old or special because of the bullies.

My parents tell me this is only a phase I’m going through because everyone has to deal with bullies while they’re growing up. They tell me in a few years the bullies will eventually grow up and not bother me and Sam and my other friends. But a few years seems like a long time to me.

I still don’t know why they pick on us so much. They’re not that much bigger. Sam is kinda short, so they seem to bully him more than other kids. He also has red hair and freckles so he stands out a little more. I’m taller than some of the kids but I’m a kinda skinny. Mom tells me it’s because I’m on a growth spurt. I just wish I’d have a muscle spurt, too.

I also have a big pointed nose, so some kids call me ‘Beak.’ That doesn’t bother me too much. I guess it depends on how they say it. My real name is Joshua, or Josh for short.

Maybe the bullies think they’re better than we are? I don’t know. I don’t think we’re nerds or anything like that because everybody plays computer games. Sam and I are in advanced classes in school but so is Hunter. Earl and Freddie are in regular classes. We also play sports. I know I’m not that great. Sam isn’t very good but he tries real hard. But it does seem like the bullies don’t mess around with the really good athletes. Especially the popular ones or big football players.

Mom was in the kitchen fixing dinner when I got home. She was putting some plates and stuff on the table. Dad was on his way home from work.

How was the movie? she asked when I walked into the kitchen and sat at the table.

Ah, it was okay, I said.

Did you have a good time?

Sure, I said. I didn’t tell her about the bullies because I felt she was getting tired of hearing about it. I know my dad doesn’t want to hear it all the time. He thinks I should stand up to them and give them a piece of my mind. I may do that one of these days, but right now I’m just hoping they’ll just leave me alone. I don’t like to fight. It’s not that easy avoiding bullies but I think it will make things worse if I decide to fight them. Besides, they have may have a knife or something, maybe even a gun, and that wouldn’t be much fun for me. I wouldn’t stand a chance of winning then.

Dad got home about ten minutes later and Mom already had food on the table. I didn’t say much after we sat down. Dad looked a little tired. Mom did most of the talking about her day and asked Dad a few questions about his work. He mainly nodded or mumbled a few words. She didn’t seem to mind. Dinner was good. Mom always takes time to fix a good dinner for us. I have some friends whose moms don’t make hardly