Because of Breanna

"Hey, buddy wait up!"1

No, please no. I'd been trying so hard to avoid her. What have I done to deserve this?2

Breanna wrapped her arm around my shoulder and walked down the hall.3

"Hey, Tori, what's up?"4

I tried to reply, but couldn't. I choked on my half formed words.5

She yanked herself away acting hurt for a moment and then laughing.6

"That's why everybody hates you. You don't even talk. What are you too good for me, fattie?"7

And there it was. My nickname. Although Breanna clearly wasn't the most creative bully, the classics still stung as much as ever.8

Breanna had picked on me since the fourth grade. I was now a sophomore. She was a junior but three year older than me. She'd been held back a couple of times.9

I hadn't always been overweight. In fact I'd just been a little chubby last yar, only to gain weight over the summer. I hated it.10

It was what I currently hated most about mysef.11

And Breanna could sense my every insecurity. And she picked at it, until I couldn't take it anymore.12

"You know why you have no friends?" Breanna asked.13

"I h-have friends," I lied.14

"No you don't," she laughed. She was right. She had scared them all off. I'd had amazing friends, but my friends had never bee brave. They still smiled at me in the hallway and made small talk when no one was looking, but they didn't dare do much more. Breanna would be after them.15

"You have no friends, because you're a fat loser. You'll never be anything. You'll never have friends, and you definitely won't have a boyfriend. You'll lie alone, and die alone," she said coldly. Knocking my books to the ground and stalking off. The tears formed in my eyes once again, and as soon as she was out of sight I let them spill. The late bell rang, but I turned around and didn't head for class.16

I walked straight out the front doors of the school and I didn't turn back. No one stopped me, because I was invisible. I felt so small that I was sure I couldn't exist.17

The next day I stayed home sick. And the next. And the next.18

I got an email.19

It read:20

Hey loser,21

You trying to hide from me? You can't get away for that long. After all, I'm the only friend you've got. Ha ha. Seriously, no one elsewill dare be seen with a fattie like you except me. But you're such an ungrateful little bitch. You don't even care. You've never thanked me. Thanks a lot, you whore.22

By the way, I'll be dropping by for a visit soon. Yeah, I know where you live.23

love your best bud B24

I close the email and thought quickly. I couldn't take this. The word's had cut like blades, and left me dizzy and sick.25

And I was home alone. Breanna had hit me and shoved me and abused me before, but just enough to leave scraps and bruises. But here there were no witnesses.26

But I couldn't take this anymore. I wouldn't hide.27

I'm going to stand up to here.28

I anxiously awaited Breanna's arrival, and it wasn't long before I heard here banging on the door, yelling "Open the door, fattie! Breanna's home!"29

I opened the door, and stepped firmly into the doorway to block the entrance she wasn't so apparently planning to make.30

"Outta the wa, loser," she said.31

"No," I replied firmly. "I have a name you know. And it's not loser, or fattie, or bitch, or whore. My name is Tori. And I'm not going to let you call me those things anymore-" she cut me off.32

"Are you trying to stand up to me?" she laughed.33

"Yes I-"34

She punched me in the face. I stumbled backwards. She entered and slammed the door behind her.35

"Don't!" I yelled.36

She kicked me in the stomach. I doubled over in pain, and dropped to my knees.37

"HELP!!!" I screamed, hoping perhaps there was a neighbor outside who coul hear me.38

Breanna cackled evilly, and thrust her knee into my throat.39

I coouldn't breathe. 40

She kicked me onto my back, and my head hit the tile floor hard.41

I lost conciousness.42

When I awoke all I could hear was machines beeping, and the muffled chatter of a few people. 43

Someone said there was very little hope, but they would do what they could.44

Someone was crying hysterically. A young boy who sounded like my younger brother was asking what happened.45

Someone whispered that they loved me and kissed my cheek. 46

There was pain all over my body.47

There was emotional pain in the faces of those around me, when I could muster up the strength to open my eyes.48

They were asking me what happened, but I was too weak to talk. 49

And it all ended with my brother asleep on the end of my bed, and my father asleep in a chair. My mother had stepped out for some fresh air.50

Final tears slipped from my eyes, because I knew what was happening, and I knew I wouldn't get a chance to say good bye.51

And then I slipped from conciousness for the last time.52

And all because of Breanna.53