When the ‘Wrong’ Friend Became the Right Choice

“It’s time for school. Have you gathered everything you need?” her mother asked. She replied reluctantly, “Yes, Ma,” while her foot drummed anxiously against the floor, as if she were racing against time. She couldn’t afford to be late for the third time that week, fully aware of what awaited her at the hands of her classmates. She had been bullied, screamed at, and shamed for all sorts of things: her shyness, her low self-esteem, her clothes, her appearance—everything seemed to be a target. In class, she didn’t fit in with the bright students or the popular ones; she was somewhere in the middle, making her a frequent target for ridicule.

With her mismatched bags held together by her own stitching to avoid being too bulky, she made her way to school. Arriving just a minute early, she sighed in relief and headed straight for her seat. But as she approached, she noticed her desk and chair had been moved to the back of the room. Disappointment washed over her, and without saying a word, she took her place at the back. When the teacher entered for the first period—math, for 45 minutes—she pretended to grasp the material, enduring the time as best as she could.

As the second period approached, she hesitantly decided to ask about her seat. But as she approached the boys occupying it, about five of them converged on her, glaring. She shakily made her request, but before she could finish, one of the muscular boys—who was the ringleader of her tormentors—started rummaging through her bag. He pulled out her lunch, opened it, and jeered, “Seriously? You couldn’t even afford a decent lunch? What are you good for?” He tossed her lunch into the trash, shouting, “Get a better lunch; maybe then you’ll look better.” The entire class erupted in laughter. That day, she kept her head down, feeling hungry and utterly humiliated.

As school ended, she gathered her things and headed home. Approaching her door, her pace slowed. Initially, she had rushed home to avoid her classmates, but now, nearing her house, she felt the weight of dread. At home, it was no better; her parents were constantly at odds, and she faced criticism for everything she did, often being wrongly accused of taking missing items. She found no peace at school or at home, which deeply affected her self-worth.

There was a day in school when everyone wrote down their post-high school plans. Most boys aspired to play sports, some aimed for college, and some girls had dreams of starting their own ventures. Everyone seemed to have a plan, even if vague. But as she stared at her paper, she felt lost. Thoughts raced through her mind: What if I don’t pass? What if something happens to my parents? What if something happens to me? How can I be sure I will succeed? These worries paralyzed her, and ultimately, she left her paper blank before hurrying out of class.

Although she wasn’t the only one bullied, it hit her the hardest, shattering her self-esteem. She avoided eye contact and rarely spoke, often looking down even in a crowd. Over time, she became more withdrawn, even at home, where pleasantries were all, she managed to exchange with her parents. Eventually, she began skipping classes, sometimes hiding out during the first period to evade her bullies. One morning, she wandered toward the school field to escape. There, she accidentally bumped into a boy from the music team, nearly breaking his violin. Apologizing, she mustered the courage to express her regret. To her surprise, he invited her to listen to their practice, noting that very few students attended.

Since she planned to skip the first period anyway, she decided to join him. Their practice lasted for the first two periods, and she found herself captivated by the supportive atmosphere created by the music teacher. Students were encouraged to applaud each other, receiving constructive feedback only through written notes from the teacher. This culture of encouragement fostered love and camaraderie among the group. She began attending every day, and the warmth of that environment slowly built her confidence.

Although she started as an audience member, she eventually worked up the courage to register for the music class. To her surprise, she found herself speaking with the school representative for over 30 minutes—something she never thought she could do. This newfound confidence began to seep into her home life and her studies, helping her develop a more hopeful outlook on her future. Little by little, things started to improve.

After joining the music team, she discovered a passion for the keyboard and began practicing diligently during the first and second periods. The support and love she received from her peers, coupled with constructive criticism from the team leader, allowed her to learn and grow. Her grades improved, and she began staying up late to study, rushing to school each morning, albeit often late. Yet this time, she felt energized and prepared.

The music team hosted an annual event where students showcased their talents to scouts looking for scholarships. For the first time, she felt a sense of belonging and purpose. The bullying that once loomed over her felt trivial now; her self-esteem had been restored, and she learnt to rise above it.

Three weeks before the music festival, she practiced tirelessly, dedicating three hours each day alongside her teammates. While many stayed late to prepare, she chose to return home to inform her parents about the upcoming event. She found her mother crying when she arrived; her father had left a divorce letter. Though bitter, her mother explained that the situation had been brewing for a while but had been delayed out of concern for her.

After a moment of silence, she looked at her mother and said, “This isn’t the end. I’ll talk to Dad.” She reassured her mother that she was there to help and spent the next three days providing emotional support, keeping the atmosphere lively. When she called her father, she reminded him of the music talent show, which prompted him to express interest in attending.

As the days counted down to the event, her communication with her parents improved, thanks to her newfound confidence. Her mother attended her practices, encouraging her and even inviting friends to watch. It was astonishing how quickly relationships could change; the home once filled with tension transformed into one of support and joy, all stemming from her connection to the music team.

Ultimately, it could have been any extracurricular activity that sparked this transformation—be it sports, cooking, or drama. What truly changed her was the love and encouragement she found, which made her feel valued and ignited a fire within her to reclaim her self-worth.

We all need to discover that strength within ourselves, recognizing that life is worth living. She stood up to her bullies, reclaimed her self-love, and in doing so, improved her family relationships.

We will be back…