I pause for a moment, thinking about what I want to say. There are so many things... feelings and memories tangled up inside me that it's hard to know where to start. Finally, I decide on something simple: "Well, there was this one time..." I trail off, taking another drag before continuing. "This girl at school used to bully me pretty badly. She made fun of my clothes, my hair... everything about me."

I pause again, remembering the pain and humiliation all too clearly. "But then one day,"

I stood up to her. Just like that. No one had ever done it before... not even Max when she was there. But I didn't care anymore. I'd had enough of feeling small and powerless. And you know what? It worked. She backed down, and after that, things got a little easier. Not perfect, but better.

I smile at the memory, feeling a strange mix of pride and shame wash over me. "I guess... I just wish I'd done it sooner."