This was actually a REALLY good episode. I mean, it's got everything. There's a good story, excellent pacing, great characters, strong dialogue, and emotions that move the audience all in one half hour. Truly brilliant.
Bullies are awful people. I've been bullied my whole life. Ever since elementary to today. My sis is pretty bossy and hates it whenever we happen to like the same thing. Anytime she finds out I like something that she does, too, she'll tell to not like it simply because she likes even if I've liked it long before her. But she's by no means the worse bully I've ever had. That terrible honor goes to some kid who bullied everyone in my high school, even teachers. He wasn't big or anything, but he knew how to hurt people and get on everyone's nerves even if they've done nothing to him. I never even spoke to him because of my shyness when he started bullying me out of the blue. I got really sick one year and missed almost an entire month of school. He had transferred to our school a little before that and he seemed very quiet back then. He didn't harass anyone. But, when I came back from being sick for so long, he started teasing me and said some awful things. I often left school in tears because of the things he said to me. My mom even threatened to take me out of that school if nothing was done about him. One day, towards the end of the school year and my last year there, it was time to clean up and I was on dusting duty. I noticed him picking a fight with the biggest kid in school who had a really nasty temper. He looked like he was about to throw a fist at him. I never spoke to him either as he often scared me. However, I couldn't just stand by and let those two break out into a fight so I ran in to try and break things up before something bad happened. I tried using a gentle approach and suggested we just get back to our chores when the bully started throwing all kinds of insults at me. He started yelling them at me and caught the attention of pretty much the whole school. Even kids who weren't in the main room at the time ran in to see what was going on. I don't remember what exactly it is he said to me out of the trauma of it all, but he said something that just made me snap. On instinct, I tried to slap him across his smug face but missed him, the dusting rag I still had in my hands at the time just bearing brushing his cheek. I instantly curled up in a ball after that I started crying my eyes out, screaming at him that I hated him. I was so distraught by what he did to me when I was only trying to help that I just lost it. That's when the teachers stepped in and broke things off. Then the other kids started to help me. They were all really surprised by my actions as I had a really good reputation as the good girl of the school, never breaking any of the rules and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. So, for them to see me do something so aggressive and out of character was quite a shock for all of them. But they were also really proud of me. My mom had had enough of the bullying when I came out in tears again, even more so than ever before. She demanded something be done or I would no longer be a student at the school even if the year was nearly over. When I came back to school, everyone started calling me a hero and I found out that the bullying that had been terrorizing everyone was transferred to a different school after the incident with me. I wasn't even in trouble for trying to slap him because of my good reputation and the many witnesses who clearly saw that it was him who had driven me to take such actions. I don't think I can ever forgive him for all the torture he made me and everyone else go through even if he begged for it. There are just some scars that can never heal. Whatever bad things happen to him, he'll deserve it. That kid has a mouth that'll lead him to nothing but trouble.
Yeah, and the worst part was that I wasn't the only one who he snapped. There was girl who was as sweet and quiet as could be who ended up leaving the school because she could no longer handle his bullying. I felt so bad for her. I wasn't even aware of the situation right away as I had been sick for almost over a month when his bullying got really bad. When I came back, he had really changed things for the worst. And the reasoning I kept hearing for his bullying was utterly stupid. From what I heard he was harassing everyone because he thought no one liked him because he was adopted and was half-white and half-black. No one in our school even cared about that. The school was a safe place for outcast and rejects. We were all one big family in that school. But I guess he didn't see things that way. Again, I'm not certain that was the real reason he bullied everyone. It was just a rumor I heard. I just wish he'd had known that no one would mistreat him for it. I honestly don't think it should matter where you come from or what race you are. All that truly matters is the kind of person you are. That's what I believe, at least. It's too bad he didn't realize that sooner. I truly do regret that I ever snapped. What makes me feel even worse about is how much I badly wish I actually hit him instead of missing him by just an inch. That's not right of me at all. Sure, he was a horrible person to everyone and all, but it's still bad that I'd wish to hurt someone. I don't know if wanting to do something so terrible makes me a bad person or if regretting these desires make me a good person. Whatever the case may be for me, I really hope he cleans up his act. If not, then he rightfully deserves whatever punishment awaits him. His greatest enemy is himself. He's just making more along the way, assuming that everyone will hate him before he even gets to know them.
