Date: April 23, 2025
Author: Isabelle Cartwright

I’ve always been the quiet one. I’m not shy, just introverted. I don’t mind being alone; I actually prefer it most of the time. But when you’re in middle school, being quiet seems to be a big red flag for everyone to treat you like you’re invisible, or worse, to make you the target for their jokes.

The school I go to is small enough that everyone knows everyone else. So, when you’re new or different, it feels like you’re under constant scrutiny. A few days ago, I overheard a conversation between two girls in the hallway. They didn’t realize I was right behind them. One of them said, “I heard the new kid is… well, not exactly easy on the eyes.” It was about me. They were talking about me. And they didn’t even bother to whisper when they said it.

I’m used to being the subject of whispers and giggles. People look at me funny when I cough, like I’m some kind of alien. It happened just last week in choir class, when I had a coughing fit—sick season, you know—and I heard two girls behind me, whispering about it. I recognized their voices—R and S. I don’t even understand why they find it funny. I wasn’t doing anything to them, I wasn’t bothering anyone. I just wanted to get through the class without drawing attention to myself, but they wouldn’t let me.

Why is everyone so mean at this age? It’s like they have nothing better to do than pick on others. I don’t get it. I don’t speak out in class, I don’t try to stand out, I just want to be left alone. But it’s like they can’t stand that. They have to make someone the target, and apparently, I’m the one.

I wonder what makes people act this way. They don’t even know me. They don’t know that I’d love to have a real conversation, or even just someone to sit with at lunch. Instead, I’m the one they laugh at behind my back, the one they make fun of when I’m just trying to get by.

I wish things could be different, but I’m starting to realize maybe they’ll never change. I didn’t do anything wrong to them, but somehow, that doesn’t seem to matter. I just wish I wasn’t the one they decided to pick on.