Torn Souls (20 page)

I also noticed that the booth way in the far back where Alex and I had rented our skates had a banner across it that read “Stop Bullying in Our Schools.” Everything was now surreal to me. “This is it,” I said to myself as I pulled my notes from my jacket pocket and began my speech.

“Good afternoon everyone, my name is Julia Stone and I’m here to ask each and every one of you to help me put a stop to bullying in schools across the nation. It wasn’t until recently that I realized bullying has been a huge problem in many schools and has made it difficult for children to feel safe while trying to get an education. I had never been bullied until recently. As I stand in front of you I can say that I was ashamed, scared, and didn’t want anyone to know. I kept it from both my parents and my best friend. In the beginning I thought if I just ignored this bully she would go away.”

“It started out with just name calling, so I often thought of the old saying
'stick and stones,'
and tried to ignore her harsh words, but it only escalated further. Over a period of time it evolved into a physical harassment which cumulated with an altercation that ended with me in the hospital. My parents were angry as you can imagine, for what had happened to me, but they were also disappointed because I didn’t come to them when the problem first occurred. My parents have raised me with good values. They’ve taught me to respect others, pay it forward in life, and never stop believing in myself.”

“There are many children in this world that feel they can’t turn to their parents. Not because their parents don’t listen or won’t understand, but because they feel ashamed. As children we hear and see what is expected of us from our parents and we don’t want to disappoint, so we pretend the bad doesn’t exist in our world. I’ve come to realize that a lot of people in society expect so much. If we don’t act a certain way, talk a certain way, dress a certain way, love a certain way, then we are to be cast aside from others. No one should have a right to bully us because they see us differently.”

“So I stand here in front of you today, asking if you will stand with your children and put a stop to bullying once and for all. Please sign my petition so I can take it to our local congressman. If I can get enough votes, then maybe this will become a bill, and I won’t stop until this becomes a law no matter how many times it may get vetoed. There is a booth located at the far end of the park where you can sign my petition. Thank you all for coming out today.”

I couldn’t believe I’d gotten through my whole speech without messing up and I was astonished that once I finished, everyone rose to their feet and cheered the words “No more bullying!” I stood there for a few minutes. My hands were clammy but I felt like I could move a mountain. The feeling was indescribable. Alex came running up the stairs and onto the stage. He wrapped his arms around me and said, “You did it, Julia!”

“I did, didn’t I, Alex?” I said smiling although my knees were shaking.

Alex grabbed my hand saying, “Come on, Julia,” and led me down the stairs.

My parents came up to me with the biggest smiles on their face. While looking at me Dad boasted, “I couldn’t be more proud of you, Julia.” Mom couldn’t say anything. She was too busy crying while she hugged me. Both of Alex’s parents said they were proud of me as well.

“Julia, look.” Alex pointed. “I think they’re waiting to talk to you.”

I took a step to the left of my dad and saw a group of people standing only a couple of feet away. One woman came up to me and said, “You brought tears to my eyes, young lady. It takes great courage to do what you’re doing.” A young girl who was only ten told me I was her hero, which made me tear up. Even after I was done with my speech more people came to the park and signed my petition. It wasn’t until three hours later that day that we were finally able to pack up and head on home.

After we were all back at my house Mom ordered pizza to celebrate. Dad had informed me that my principal called to say he was at the park, but because there were so many people there he couldn’t get through the crowd to see me. While we all ate, we each took a stack of papers and counted up the signatures. In total there were two thousand, two hundred and forty two. I knew there were a lot of people at the park, but I didn’t realize there were that many.

My goal was to get at least ten thousand by the end of the week, so Alex and I made plans after school to go around and get more. We had no real destination. We figured we’d have Mom bring to different areas, and we would walk around and talk to people about our cause. Once Alex and his parents left, I changed and went straight to bed. Sunday morning I lounged around the house all day. I read for a while, baked cookies with Mom, and watched two movies.

Monday morning I got dressed and headed for school. I wasn’t sure what to expect knowing Bridget would be there, but I didn’t worry too much about it. While I was on my way to meet up with Alex for lunch Bridget stopped me in the hall. My heart jumped right into my throat. I waited for her to beat me senseless, but she didn’t. Instead she looked directly at me and said, “Listen, Julia, we may never be friends, but what I did to you was wrong. Actually, you’re not the first person I’ve bullied at this school. I can’t take back what I did, but I’ll stay away from you.”

When Bridget was done she walked away. I know she technically didn’t apologize by using the words
I’m sorry
, but it was better than another beat down, that’s for sure. I was in complete shock to say the least. I was just hoping that she really was going to stay away from me. During lunch I told Alex that Bridget had stopped me and somewhat apologized. He looked at me unconvinced.

“Seriously, she stopped me and went on about how we may never be friends, but she realized that what she did was wrong,” I said.

“Maybe the world’s coming to an end,” Alex laughed.

“Hey, whatever, I’m just glad she’s going to leave me alone.”

Lunch ended and Alex and I went our separate ways until we met up after school. Dad picked us up and Mom arrived home just when we got there. Mom wanted to cook dinner before taking us out to get more signatures, so Alex and I hung out in my room. Dad passed by my doorway to tell me that he’d made an appointment for me to go see, Peter Strum, our congressman, next Friday after school.

“What if I don’t have enough signatures?” I was starting to get a little panicked.

“Honey, don’t worry, you’ll get them. Have a little faith,” Dad said smiling.

Once Mom was done cooking dinner we jumped in the car and headed out toward South Bronx. I had never been there and I was excited to see a different part of New York. I asked Mom how long it would take for us to get there. She said it would only be about fifteen minutes. I would’ve thought that it would’ve taken us longer seeing as we live on the Upper East Side, but then again I was never good at distance or directions.

Mom pulled into a corner store parking lot. I wasn’t sure if she was getting gas or what so I asked. “Hey, do you need me to pump gas while you pay.”

“No, we’re here. I’ve just noticed that there aren’t any parking spaces on the side streets. Come on, let’s get going,” Mom said, hustling us along.

Before we even opened the car doors, Alex and I looked at each other, and then looked out into the streets. Even though the houses looked uninhabitable, there were kids playing outside on the sidewalks. I had never been to a city like this. Alex and I hesitantly got out of the car and followed Mom across the street.

“Okay, Julia, head on up the stairs and knock on the door,” Mom said as she pointed straight ahead.

Grabbing Alex’s hand I begged, “Please come with me.”

I knocked on the door and a woman answered it. She had rollers in her hair and she was in a night gown. I stood there not saying anything. Alex elbowed me to say something, but I still said nothing. The woman said, “May I help you two?”

“Yes, I mean, I‘m hoping you will help me,” I replied, not even explaining what I wanted her to help me with.

“Listen, if you’re looking for money or selling something, I don’t have any,” she barked.

“Oh, no, I’m going around hoping people will sign my petition.”

“What’s the petition for?” she asked with a suspicious look on her face.

“I’m trying to change the policies in schools when it comes to kids being bullied. I think every kid should be able to go to school and feel safe. If I can get enough signatures I’ll take it to my local congressman where I’ll ask him to write a bill for it. Then it will go back and forth through congress where I’m hoping it will eventually become a law.” I explained to her with conviction.

“I see. Well, in that case I’ll sign it,” she said with a pleased look on her face.

“Thank you so much,” I told her.

“Here you go. If I may, there’s a youth center a couple of blocks down the street. Head on over there. I’m sure you’ll find others who will be willing to sign your petition.”

“That’s wonderful. Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to head that way.”

After knocking on several doors and getting as many signatures as we could, Mom took us over to the youth center. When we walked in we saw a man sitting behind a counter talking with a lady. I approached him with my clipboard and pen in my hand.

“Hello, may I help you?” he asked.

“Yes, my name is Julia and I was wondering if I can borrow a few minutes of your time,” I asked.

“Sure, how can I help you?”

Once I was done explaining everything to him, he suggested that I stick around. He told me that I came at the right time because parents would be coming to pick up their kids in a few minutes and that he was sure they would sign my petition. The man offered Mom a seat while Alex and I headed over to watch some kids play air hockey. While we stood there watching a girl approached us. She was wearing clothes that looked worn out and torn sneakers.

“Aren’t you in the wrong part of the neighborhood?” she asked snidely while looking us up and down.

“I’m Julia and this is my friend Alex,” I said trying to not to stare.

“What do you want? You’re clearly lost.”

“No we’re not lost. I’m here with my mom.”

“So, why are you rich folks here, to give us a handout? Because we don’t need any handouts.” She stepped toward me wile waving her hand.

“You’ve got it all wrong,” I tried to explain to her why we were there, but she interrupted.

“Really? Because the only time you rich folks come to this part of the city is to give us your hand me downs,” she said.

“No, I came here for your help. We’ll yours and your parents help.”

“You need our help? Now, that’s some funny crap, right there.”

For some reason she and the other kids that were near her found what I said funny, so I laughed along, but then they immediately stopped. I wasn’t sure what was happening. As she stepped closer to me, Alex whispered under his breath, “Julia, I think we should go back now.”

I heard him, but I didn’t move. I stood my ground. I needed these kids to know why I was here. For some strange reason they felt like we were a threat. As the girl was inches away from my face I said, “You never told me your name.”

“You want to know my name? Why? You’ll only forget it as soon as you leave.”

I took a step back just enough and said, “No, I’ll remember your name, trust me. Like I said, I need your help. I have a petition against bullying in schools. Together we can stop it.”

“Do you not see the color of my skin? People like you, white and rich don’t really care about kids like us,” she said while looking at her friends and then back at me.

“It’s not true. Maybe other rich white kids are like that, but I only see us as equals. Our skin color maybe different, but I believe we’re all trying to survive and make a better life for ourselves someday. And if we stand together we may be able to do just that,” I explained hoping she would understand that I was being sincere.