My Mental Health Was At Stake I dropped Out - Christabel 21

I could tell it was everything I had ever wanted.
I was excited to enter high school. I remember being this innocent, intelligent, happy, and cute student. Little did I know what awaited me in this institution I had long dreamed of being in. All I thought about was studying smart to accomplish my desire for a career in law. After a rigorous and extensive orientation, my classmates and I were finally fully equipped to embark on this journey that promised to become everything I had ever wanted.

It began slowly
On my first day after orientation, reality quickly dawned on me. I was queueing for lunch when another student grabbed my plate and dragged me back to class. No one bothered to question her. I guessed she had a say in the school, and from the look that she gave me, I chose not to question her actions.

It felt like slavery.
Well, I ignored the first incident, not knowing I was encouraging a lion that would eat me alive. One Saturday afternoon, as we were doing general cleaning with my friends, a laundry basket was brought to where we were. We ignored it and continued with our laundry. As we made our way to class, we heard a voice yelling, "Where do you think you are going, you little brats?". She ordered us to wash her clothes, and because we did not want further trouble, we washed her clothes as instructed and left her in peace. And as if that was not enough, she followed us to our dormitory, only this time, she took me alone to her dormitory cube and asked me to make her bed. This engagement was getting out of hand; I did not know what to do. I could not tell our perfect because there was very little she could do neither could I inform the principal as she was the principal's daughter.

She had other motives.
She was there watching me make her bed, and when I was done and ready to leave, she grabbed my hand, dragged me into her bed, lay over me, and said, "You smell nice little princess. I love your perfume." I was terrified to death. She let me go, but that was only after threatening me not to say anything to anyone.

I tried to stand up for myself.
One evening, I stayed late to prepare for my presentation the next day. I assume this girl had been stalking me because she came to our class when I was alone. Again, I could feel a chill run down my spine. This time, however, I had gathered enough strength to look her in the eyes and ask, 'What else do you want from me? Do you want me to do your assignment too?' She did not answer me. She merely clapped and walked near and burst into laughter. She then tore the page I had written my presentation. I cried the whole night in agony and distress. It was a living hell.

It was affecting me
My marks started dropping rapidly and teachers became concerned. I hated everything and decided to quit school, but I asked myself which reason I would give that would explain my choice not to continue. Unfortunately, I had no tangible reason, I just know that I was overwhelmed and terrified. I only kept remembering the pain and the trauma in my heart.

My salvation
The principal eventually transferred to a different school, and with the new non-corrupted principal, the girl was finally expelled. From that day onwards, I began living an ordinary high school life.

My Two Cents
To anyone going through bullying, know that you are not alone and should speak up to someone you trust. You do not have to suffer in silence like I did.