“Do you like Jamie?”
“I don’t really know her.”
“Would you like to get to know her?”
“I think so. Yeah. But I’m scared.”
It hurts so much that she’s going through this. That some kids her age go through this.
“One kid tried to befriend Jamie a few months ago and she had to switch schools because Valerie turned the whole class against her. I wanted to stick up for her, but I knew I’d be the next target, so I held back. But I felt so bad and helpless.”
“Why is everyone so scared of Valerie? Why doesn’t anyone stop her?”
“Because she’s pretty and rich and popular?”
I frown. “That’s so messed up.”
“It’s middle school.”
We sit in silence for several seconds.
I turn to her. “What do you want, Robin?”
“Friends.”
“A friend like Jamie?”
She nods.
“So go after what you want. Ignore the haters. They’re just jealous of you.”
She smiles. “That’s what Raven says.”
“That’s because she’s a genius. So if you want to be friends with Jamie, talk to her. Spend time with her. I’m sure she’d love to be your friend, too. And if Valerie gives you crap, hold your head up high and don’t let her get to you. I know it’s very hard, but think about what the result could be. A possible new best friend. Also, and I know this is hard, too, but you need to tell an adult when or if someone is bothering you.”
She kicks the seat again. “Everyone always says that, but I don’t want to be a snitch.”
“Do you want Valerie to get away with everything? If no one stops her, she’ll just get worse. Maybe you and Jamie and others can stand up to her.”
She giggles. “Yeah, right.”
“You never know. If you let her hold you back from making friends, then you’re letting her make your life miserable. Do you want to give her so much power?”
“But what can I do? I’m just me.”
“But if you make friends, you guys can be really powerful. Valerie will see she can’t mess with you anymore and she’ll lay off.”
She taps her chin as she thinks. “It all sounds easy when you talk about it, but there’s no way that will happen.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But you should focus on making friends with Jamie if that’s what you want. Or anyone else in your class. That’s what’s important right now.”
She’s quiet as she ponders it.
I lift a brow. “Remember, a sixteen-year-old thinks you’re the coolest kid he’s ever met. Let others see who Robin really is. Because they’ll want to be her friend in a heartbeat.”
She gives me a funny look.
“What?” I ask.
