Standing at least half a foot shorter than everyone else forming the circle, the skinny little girl stared up at their smug faces, scared to death of the things they could do to her. Her heart thumped against her fragile little chest, pumping volumes of blood through veins that were almost maxing out on their capacity.

"Please..." she begged.

Her plea did nothing but entertain them. They turned to one another with smiles varying in intensity. As if someone pushed their play button, laughter erupted from the group, cutting deep into her fragile emotional makeup.

The self-acclaimed leader of the group, Adam Rattler, stepped ahead of the others and pushed his arm against her body with a force too great for her to withstand. She fell to the ground with a thud, landing on her left shoulder. There was a snap which was followed immediately by ringing pain and bitter tears.

"Look who's a cry baby," someone else asked, kicking the same shoulder she landed with.

It was Rebecca Riley. Daughter of Principal Aaron Riley and former Miss Oakland, Francisca Riley, Rebecca was a bonafide queen bee. Mean as a hydra-headed monster, Rebecca had been the first one to ever lay a hand on the little girl. Her crime was walking up to her and saying the word 'hello'. Her punishment was a shove to the face by Queen Rebecca, and instant ostracism from her squad.

"How dare you think you're worthy of an uninvited conversation with me?" Rebecca had asked. It was a question the little girl would neither reply nor forget.

"It hurts," she cried.

"Leave the loser alone," Ashley Horn said to the group, ending the torture and forever gaining her gratitude.

Jason Keebler thought it necessary to empty a bottle of cold water on the crying little girl before taking his leave with the rest of the group.

That was the beginning of her constant trips to the hospital and her never ending bouts with the cold. It was also the beginning of a lifelong friendship with someone she had met in that hospital. Emily Robert was a loyal friend and a true companion. She had faith in the little girl and trusted her ability to fight back. Regardless of the fact that she never gained the courage to stand up for herself in reality, Emily remained by her side, listening to her stories of an imaginary world where she was loved by everyone in class. She even offered 'I wish it could be' stories of her own which always made the little girl laugh.

Soon, the little girl found herself picking up from where the bullies left off. She would inflict injuries on herself to make her return to the hospital and spend more time with her best buddie, Emily.

She received the heartbreaking news on her thirteenth birthday. She had raced to the hospital with a slice of her birthday cake and was informed that Emily had been discharged. Her parents had moved to another town to keep Emily away from the violence at her old school and offer her a new start.

Emily Robert was gone and with her, any solace the little girl felt the world had to offer.