Bullying diary.

German shopping markets.

04/09/1998

Josh was with a big gang of friends but when I waved across the road

to him he acted as if he didn't see me. I did not see him again for

the rest of the day. But on the good side the class I was in was

really friendly and they were really welcoming. They were asking me

the meanings of rude words in German. The day was really fun I

couldn't wait to come home and tell my parents all about it. My step

dad was very happy, probably because I have to make a good impression

on his business friends, whose children also go to the same school. I

hope I don't fail him or my mum will not be happy.

11/07/1998

I haven't been to school for the past few days. I have told my mum

that I was ill. Really its because when I go to school and Josh and

his gang start throwing paper and sweets at my head. Then at break

time they've started calling me a German nazi and that I should go

back to Germany because I think that I am better than they are. I

started feeling really sad because I thought Josh would stick up for

me but he just watched and then started joining in. He just turned on

me. When I went home I didn't tell my mum or my step dad because they

were so proud of me and it was like I would be disappointing them and

I knew that my step dad wouldn't buy me any more games, which I love

playing. But I think my mum noticed something because the other day

she asked me how was Josh and said that he hadn't come round to play

and I said he was all right. I told her that I haven't really chatted

to him much and then she asked why and I said it's just been hard to

talk because I was busy making friends. Then she said she was going to

speak to his mum. But even if she does speak to his mum I doubt Josh

will admit that he and his friends are now bullying me.

13/07/1998

My mum said that I had to go back to school because I can't miss too

many days off of school because I will have loads of work to catch up

on and as I am new I should go in as I don't know as much as everyone

else. I love staying at home I get treated like a prince. Anything I

want I get and my step dad keeps bringing me loads of games. But I

don't want to go back to school because then that would mean going to

school and facing the bullies. So in the end I pretended I am going to

school but I'm not I hang about in this Internet café and have met

this really cool man named Jim. I think he knows something because he

asked me why I wasn't at school and I told him I don't go to school

but he said how come I am wearing school uniform but I didn't answer

him, so he asked me if I was being bullied and he said that he would

come with me to tell a teacher. I would like his support but if I tell

him it will only make things worse. I don't know what I will do I

might take his advice because I don't think I can handle it.

15/07/03

The school found out I was skipping school because a teacher saw me at

the café during her lunch break. When they told my mum she was

sympathetic towards me, but when she told my step dad and he freaked

and started calling me a wimp, and why didn't I tell him so he could

sort it out privately. But no, he is not doing it for my protection.

He wants to do it to protect himself, so his business friends don't

find out his stepson is a wimp. I don't care what he or his business

contacts think because he isn't even my real dad so he can't even tell

me what to do. I called him a bastard and no wonder he hasn't got any

kids of his own and he looked really upset. I wish my mum never met

him. My mum didn't even stick up for me. She just stood there and

watched and just shook her head. She just betrayed her real family.

17/07/03

My mum took me to Josh's house to speak to him and his mum. When I

went there he said he was sorry because he thought I was cool being

German and different he doesn't care what other people think and he

would want to be friends if I still want to. I said yes and we went

back to school and every one was being nice and all Josh's friends

started asking me swear words in German. But I still had to say sorry

to my step dad and he said sorry for calling me a wimp because I'm not

one and bought me the newest game out I was so happy.

I like school now and I am no hanging round with loads of different

people and still go in the café to see Jim and chat to him. I am now

getting on well with my step dad and mum and know have loads of

computer games and everything I have wanted and now Josh is my best

friend.