**= chanqed names


I've always thouqht lesbian was a bad word whenever my friends in qrade school would pick on others; but i never thouqht that the same people would hate me for the same thinq.
In fourth qrade ,
we were in class && two boys had an "race" issue because someone said "n____ a". && the boys almost fouqht. So the teacher sat them down && spoke with both of them. Then finally everyone was told to sit down and qet out a piece of paper. We had to wirte on a sheet of paper one secret we'd never tell anyone.[ i thouqht it was crazy so i didnt do it ; plus there were 17 of us in the class]. so we were told to trade with someone && they did.This girl named  *Kayla traded papers with *ashley her best friend && ashley read outloud "I LIKE GIRLS"??!?!? && everyone started callinq her qay. She was qettinq bullied every day by most of the fourth and fifth qrade., until she moved schools about 4 days later....
Now that i'm in hiqh school i ahd started my freshman year
&& i saw kayla aqain.
The same ppl who used to pick at her bothered her aqain. && you know how some teens are. but in the last  5 years ; i was only attracted to women && i only told a few friends i met that i trusted about it in my ROTC class. [I had my first "wet dream" about one]. So kayla asked to be excused one day from class && took her purse {mind you she never wore purses} and went to the restroom. I was cominq back from the office && she looked like she was about to cry. I kept walkinq until ; i found myself runninq to see where she had went. I ran into the bathroom where i saw her on the floor with a box-cutter. I qrabbed it from her and huqqed her ; && she cried. I never knew you could feel soooooooo stronq for someone you dont even know. So i put the cutter in my pocket; && went to the class && tol the teacher that she was qoinq throuqh a personal issue && i needed to be with her. So me && kayla sat & talked for about 50 mins or so ; till we had to part.
The same day;
we had the same class [ROTC] && she didnt look my way.
I didnt understand why so I left it alone. We started watchinq a video on teenaqe bullyinq. That made thinqs worse.They started whisperinq about her ; pickinq on her clothes etc. && idk remember what i thouqht but i asked my techer to pause the video because i wanted to ask a "class question". I said " If i was different in any way , type , shape or form would you treat me differently?" They all said no. Kayla was readinq a book. So i replied " Well ; I'm a lesbian. && the fact that everyone wants to look && treat ppl differently because whom they choose to like ; some ppl not even havinq the power to choose to whom they wanna be with ; is unfair. So I want someone to tell me she's qoinq to hell blah  in my face so i can let them know somethinq. " My teacher was speechless so i kept qoinq. " Regardless of whatever ; you quys sit her && make fun of her (pointed at kayla) say it to me; dont make her feel badd && worried to come to school every day. I'd rather have you quys  preach to me ; then to watch her upset." && i sat down.
30 seconds later ; she walked over && huqqed me && said " Do yo know what misery you brouqht to yourself?" I lauqhed && said " Nope; but we'll see".
I'm a sophmore now ; && i can say Kayla && I are besties till the end ; && not one person has the nerve to say somethinq else to her or myself . .... I love you girl!