From that moment on, we became friends, exchanged numbers, and now we often text each other.
I was so happy walking to school because I had made my first real school friend!
Everything was going well—I even forgot that I had ever been bullied before.
But I shouldn't have...
When I entered the classroom, everyone was glaring at me.
One of my classmates, who used to bully me, came up to me and asked:
*"I saw you walking somewhere with Ren yesterday. Did something happen between you two?"*
I didn't understand what she wanted to hear from me.
*"Well, I wouldn't say that... but he's my friend now..."* (Yumi)
*"Haha! Did you all hear that? She's friends with Ren! Don't make me laugh."* (Classmate)
I told the truth, but as usual, they didn't believe me.
*"I'm telling the truth!"* (Yumi)
The classmate laughed and slapped me across the face.
In my mind, I wanted Ren to come to my rescue.
I started crying, and hearing my sobs, Ren walked in.
*"What the hell are you doing? What did she even do to you?"* (Ren)
*"She dared to lie to us! Can you believe she said you're her friend now?"* (Classmate)
*"Well, it's true."* (Ren)
*"But even if it weren't, what the hell gives you the right to lay a hand on her?"* (Ren)
*"Well..."* (Classmate)
*"'Well' what?"* (Ren)
*"If any of you touch her again, I'll make your lives hell!"* (Ren)
I couldn't even respond—I was too shaken to speak.