Beyond the Bottom

The Bullying begins

Chapter Two

Jamal walked through the halls of Lincoln High, trying to take it all in. The school was huge, with towering ceilings and endless rows of lockers.

As he navigated the crowded hallways, Jamal couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. He had never been to a school this big before, and he wasn't sure if he was going to fit in.

But despite his nerves, Jamal was determined to make a good impression. He had always been a bit of a introvert, but he was eager to meet new people and make friends.

As he walked into his first period class, Jamal was greeted by a sea of unfamiliar faces. He took a deep breath and made his way to an empty seat, trying to look confident.

The teacher, Mrs. Johnson, introduced herself and began to take roll. Jamal listened intently, trying to learn the names of his new classmates.

As the class went on, Jamal started to feel more at ease. He participated in the discussion and even made a few jokes, earning him some laughs from his classmates.

But despite his growing confidence, Jamal couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Every time he turned around, he seemed to catch Marcus staring at him, a scowl on his face.

Marcus's behavior was starting to unnerve Jamal. He couldn't understand why Marcus seemed to have it out for him.

One day, as Jamal was walking down the hallway, Marcus stepped out of a classroom and blocked his path.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," Marcus sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. "If it isn't the new kid, Jamal."

Jamal tried to stand his ground, but he could feel his heart racing. "What do you want, Marcus?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Marcus sneered. "Oh, I just wanted to welcome you to Lincoln High. You know, make you feel at home."

Jamal felt a surge of fear as Marcus took a step closer to him. But before things could escalate any further, a teacher appeared out of nowhere and intervened.

"Marcus, leave him alone," the teacher warned, her voice firm but calm.

Marcus scowled, but he backed off, disappearing into the crowd.

Jamal let out a sigh of relief as the teacher turned to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes concerned.

Jamal nodded, still feeling shaken. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for stepping in."

The teacher smiled. "No problem, Jamal. Just remember, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask."

Jamal nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the teacher. He realized that he wasn't alone at Lincoln High, and that there were people who cared about him.

But despite the teacher's reassurances, Jamal couldn't shake the feeling that he was in danger. He knew that Marcus was still out there, waiting for his next opportunity to strike.

Jamal's anxiety started to get the better of him. He began to dread going to school, afraid of what Marcus might do next.

He started to feel like he was walking on eggshells, never knowing when Marcus would lash out at him.

Jamal's friends noticed the change in him and tried to be supportive. Tyler and Jasmine would often sit with him at lunch, trying to distract him from his worries.

But despite their efforts, Jamal couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him.

He knew that he needed to find a way to deal with Marcus once and for all.

Jamal spent many sleepless nights thinking about how to handle the situation. He knew that he couldn't let Marcus bully him forever.

He was constantly thinking of ways to end the bullying

But no matter what he came up with, Jamal couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head.

He knew that he needed help, but he didn't know where to turn.

As the days turned into weeks, Jamal started to feel like he was losing himself. He was constantly on edge, never knowing when Marcus would strike again.

He started to withdraw from his friends and family, afraid of what might happen if Marcus found out.

Jamal's parents noticed the change in him and tried to talk to him about it. But Jamal just shook his head, unable to explain what was happening.

"I'm fine, Mom," he said, trying to reassure her. "I just need some time to adjust to the new school."

His mom looked at him skeptically, but she didn't push the issue. Jamal knew that she was worried about him, but he didn't know how to reassure her.

As the weeks turned into months, Jamal started to feel like he was trapped in a never-ending nightmare. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, expecting Marcus to appear at any moment.

He knew that he couldn't keep living like this. He needed to find a way to deal with Marcus once and for all.

He started to brainstorm ways to deal with Marcus, from ignoring him to standing up to him. But no matter what he came up with, Jamal couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head.

One day, as Jamal was walking down the hallway, he saw a poster on the wall. It was an advertisement for a school counseling program, and it caught Jamal's eye.

The program was designed to help students deal with bullying and other issues. Jamal felt a surge of hope as he read the poster. Maybe, just maybe, this program could help him deal with Marcus.

Jamal ripped off a tab from the poster, which had the counselor's name and contact information on it. He stuffed the tab into his pocket, feeling a sense of determination.

He was going to take control of his life, and he was going to start by seeking help.