Summary

A 7th grader recounts his experience of standing up to bullies after reaching his breaking point from being repeatedly picked on at different schools.

Abstract

The narrative describes the journey of a student who, after enduring the challenges of being the new kid at four different schools in 7th grade, finally confronts his bullies. The protagonist, who had been dealing with the stress of constant relocation and bullying, reaches a tipping point one hot day after gym class. In a surge of pent-up frustration, he physically confronts the two bullies who had been harassing him, lifting them off their feet and demanding to be left alone. The incident successfully deters the bullies, and later, when faced with them again in the presence of friends, he chooses to show mercy, demonstrating his personal growth and newfound confidence.

Opinions

The author conveys a sense of injustice and frustration at being repeatedly targeted as the new kid in school.
There is an underlying theme of empowerment and self-defense, as the protagonist takes a stand against bullying.
The narrative suggests that there is a limit to one's tolerance for mistreatment, and when pushed too far, a person may react strongly.
The protagonist's actions imply that bullies can be effectively confronted and that standing up for oneself can lead to respect and changed behavior from aggressors.
The story concludes with a sense of triumph and a subtle message about the value of forgiveness and restraint, even after one has been wronged.

“Leave Me the Hell Alone! Now!!”

And other fun 7th grade adventures…

Recently I offered you a story about being in 4 schools in 7th grade. You can check that one out here:

4 Schools in 7th Grade

On being the “New Kid”

medium.com

In that story I mentioned the day I reached my breaking point and took out 2 bullies at one time.

So here’s that story:

By the time we moved for the 3rd time in 7th grade, 4th Jr. High, 3rd time being the new kid, I was more than a little tired of it all.

Being the new kid can set you up for being picked on, and it was happening for the 3rd time in one year.

Two blond headed kids decided to make it their hobby to pick on the new kid: me.

I took it for a few weeks. Until the day I couldn’t any more…

By April in Florida it’s already hot. It was after gym class, and I was at my locker sweating.

These 2 guys come up from behind and start in on me.

And all the frustration of that year came roaring out. I’m not a big guy, and these 2 were about my size, but an entire year of getting picked on can make you stronger when you need to be.

I turned around, grabbed each one by the throat, pushed them across the hall against the lockers, picked each one off their feet against the lockers, and yelled:

“Leave me the hell alone! NOW!!”

And they did!

Photo by Yannis Papanastasopoulos on Unsplash

Then a Few Weeks Later

A few weeks later I was walking near the school with a group of about 5 friends. We came around a corner, and wouldn’t you know, those 2 “former bullies” were coming toward us.

My friend: “Hey, isn’t the two guys who’ve been picking on you?”

Me: “Yep, that’s them.”

Friends: “So let’s get ‘em!”

Me: “Thanks guys, but nah. I already took care of it.” … “But you can sure act like you’re gonna get ‘em.”

The Two Former Bullies (as my friends began to surround them): “We stopped picking on you. We’ve been leaving you the hell alone! Please don’t!!”

I called off my friends and the two former bullies rushed off, one with the front of his jeans suddenly and mysteriously wet.

I may have grinned a bit as we walked away… 😁