Bullied

By Jeff Erno

Every day, all over the country, teenagers struggle with the realities of bullying. Tormented, ridiculed, and beaten—simply for being who they are—these teens face alienation, humiliation, and even the explicit assertion that they have somehow brought this upon themselves, that they should just blend in. Bullied is a series of short stories exploring the world of these teens from several different viewpoints: the victim, the bully, the gay bystander, the straight friend, the concerned parent.

Closeted Bryan wonders why Christian Michaelson doesn't just try to blend in if he hates being bullied so much. Star athlete David isn't a homophobe—after all, he's not afraid of anything. Jonathan, a Christian fundamentalist, must weigh the Bible against peer pressure and what he knows is right when he discovers his childhood friend is gay. Bully victim Chase Devereaux finds an unexpected ally in a brave fellow student. A single mom struggles to accept the reality that her only son is gay. Two tough gay teens are forced to confront their own inner demons when tragedy befalls a classmate they failed to help. And overweight Kirby finds the strength of character to make a friend, which leads to a lifestyle change and a chance at love. Each character grows as an individual as he or she comes to terms with what it means to be a gay teenager in America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781623803926

Jeff Erno

Jeff Erno, author of Puppy Love, writes m/m erotica and gay young-adult fiction in southern Michigan. His first book, Dumb Jock, was published in 2009.

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Copyright

Published by

Harmony Ink Press

382 NE 191st Street #88329

Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Distant Rumblings

Copyright © 2012 by John Goode

Cover Art by Anne Cain    [e-mail]

Cover Design by Mara McKennen

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Harmony Ink Press, 382 NE 191st Street #88329, Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA

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ISBN: 978-1-62380-391-9

Library Edition ISBN: 978-1-62380-900-3

Digital Edition ISBN: 978-1-62380-392-6

Released in the United States of America

First Edition by Dreamspinner Press

August 2011

Second Edition by Harmony Ink

November 2012

PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY CALL FOR A UNITED EFFORT TO ADDRESS BULLYING

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the President and First Lady called for a united effort to address bullying at the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention. Approximately 150 students, parents, teachers, non-profit leaders, advocates, and policymakers came together to discuss how they can work together to make our schools and communities safe for all students.

If there’s one goal of this conference, it’s to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up. It’s not, said President Obama. Bullying can have destructive consequences for our young people. And it’s not something we have to accept. As parents and students, teachers and communities, we can take steps that will help prevent bullying and create a climate in our schools in which all of our children can feel safe.

As parents, this issue really hits home for us. It breaks our hearts to think that any child feels afraid every day in the classroom, on the playground, or even online, First Lady Michelle Obama said. I hope that all of you—and everyone watching online—will walk away from this conference with new ideas and solutions that you can take back to your own schools and communities.

Every day, thousands of children, teens, and young adults around the country are bullied. Estimates are that nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied each year—upwards of 13 million students. Students involved in bullying are more likely to have challenges in school, to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to have health and mental health issues. If we fail to address bullying we put ourselves at a disadvantage for increasing academic achievement and making sure all of our students are college and career ready.{1}

Introduction

THE following collection of short stories is dedicated to the thousands of young people in recent months and years who have suffered through the painful consequences of relentless bullying. Many of these victims are GLBT youth, and as an openly gay man, I can relate to the heartache, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and utter helplessness that such torment causes.

My goal in releasing these stories is not to make a profit but to raise awareness and, more importantly, to possibly instill a sense of hope in the hearts of these many precious victims.

I thank those who have supported this project and enthusiastically encourage all to become involved on some level, be it a donation to one of the many anti-bullying organizations, volunteering your time or talent, or simply speaking up.

The most effective tool in combating bullying is education. Bullying only occurs because bystanders stand idly by and allow it to happen. Please make a difference. Please let your voice be heard.

—Jeff Erno

Blending In

STANDING at the counter of the student services office, trying to set up an appointment with my guidance counselor, I’m suddenly and rudely interrupted by none other than the most obnoxious, overbearing, flamboyant drama queen in the entire school. Christian Michaelson storms through the door and dashes directly to the counter, slamming a poster-sized photo down in front of Miss Aimsbury… and me, of course. One hand on the photo, holding it firmly in place under his palm, he raises his other hand dramatically to his chest and holds it over his heart.

I’ll have you know, he cries dramatically, "I will not be intimidated by this pornography!"

His statement, albeit startling, is quickly forgotten when I look down at the picture and see that Christian is indeed presenting the principal’s secretary with an 11X14 inch glossy photo of an extremely tasteless (and hot), depraved, licentious sexual act. To be specific, it’s a blow job.

Miss Aimsbury gasps and reflexively backs away from the other side of the counter, shielding her eyes as she does so. Mr. Michaelson! she shrieks.

I’ll have you know, Christian begins again, "this photograph was what greeted me this morning—moments ago, actually—when I opened my locker! You know, the locker to which you assigned me a confidential and top-secret combination. The same combination that nobody other than the staff in this office has access to.

"And I’ll also have you know that in addition to this lovely— he pauses for a moment, staring at the picture and smiling briefly —um… this lovely photo, there was also some rather unflattering graffiti. And not very original, I might add."

Mr. Michaelson, she repeats, seeming at a loss for words.

It’s a hate crime! he declares. And I want something to be done about it. Now!

Flustered, Miss Aimsbury turns completely away and heads for the inner office. I’ll go get Mr. Daniels, she says, her voice barely audible.

I look into Christian’s eyes, then back at the photo. He cocks his head slightly to the left as he stares down at the picture and then repositions it on the counter, assessing it. "Looks like a Colt centerfold, wouldn’t ya say? Or is it Inches?"

I frown and shrug my shoulders just as our principal steps up to the counter. Quickly he snatches up the porn and crumples it into a ball.

That’s evidence! Christian protests.

Daniels rolls his eyes. What is the meaning of this, Christian? he asks. "What is it this time?"

I want to know when you’re going to do something about this perpetual bullying! It is constant, and I’m being verbally and physically attacked—assaulted and brutalized every single day of my life while you sit idly by and do absolutely nothing! Dramatically, he reaches up and wipes the back of his hand across his forehead. I just can’t take it anymore!

Christian, when were you attacked? Give me a time and a date. And I need the name or names of your attackers.

Why just yesterday, he squeals, his voice rising yet another octave. Darren Watson and Troy Cooper repeatedly snapped rubber bands at me in my English Lit class.

And did you inform your teacher?

I did no such thing, sir! Chris answers matter-of-factly. I’m reporting it now to you, the school principal.

Daniels sighs. Any witnesses?

"Sir, I’m giving you proof. You’re holding it in your hands. Look at it! Look at that smut they’ve plastered in my locker. They wrote all over the inside door panel with permanent marker. They called me a ‘FAGGOT’!"

And you assume that the perpetrators of this act were the same boys who hit you with a rubber band?

Rubber bands, sir… plural! Over and over, and they laughed at me. They mocked me and ridiculed me, and I’m tired of it. I’m tired of this relentless abuse, and it must stop!

Daniels looks at me for a moment, puzzled to see me standing there. Did you have something to do with this, Stevens?

I shake my head. No, sir. I’m just here to schedule an appointment with Mr. Tanner.

He turns back to Christian. Mr. Michaelson, this is the third time this week you’ve been in here with a complaint. We’ve investigated these alleged incidents, and frankly there are no witnesses to corroborate your claims. How do I even know that you did not deface your own locker?

Christian’s mouth drops open as he angrily places his hands on his hips. "And why would I do something like that?" he asks indignantly.

Mr. Daniels stares him directly in the eye. Oh I don’t know. Perhaps for attention. Perhaps because you’re bored. Maybe because you always have to be creating some kind of drama. Honestly, I’m getting tired of this. I’ve got real issues to deal with, running this school, and I don’t have time for this nonsense. If I see you again in my office, it will be to expel you. Do you understand?

Mr. Daniels! Christian shouts.

I said, ‘Do you understand?’

Christian’s face is turning bright red, and I can see the anger and embarrassment sweep over him. You haven’t heard the last of this, sir, he states in an obviously threatening tone. I’ll take it to the media if I have to! I’ll call the ACLU!

You go right ahead and do what you feel you’ve got to do, but if you’re back in my office again, you’re out of here. And if you ever bring a disgusting picture like this into my school, I’ll kick you out permanently. Now, good day! He turns and suddenly storms back into his office.

The injustice! Christian cries, and he turns and stomps out the door.

I wait at the counter for a few moments, wondering if Miss Aimsbury will return. Finally I see her peer around the corner from the inside office. When she’s comfortable that the coast is clear, she returns to the counter to validate my pass, and I head off to class.

NOBODY at school knows I’m gay. Well, nobody except my best friend, Trina. I’m not like Christian. I’m not loud and extroverted. I don’t wear all those flashy clothes and walk around swishing and sashaying. I’m not in the drama club, and I’m not a male cheerleader. Most of all, I don’t like being the center of attention.

Even if I did decide to come out at school, I’m positive I would not associate with Christian Michaelson. Personally I think he’s the sort of queer who gives homosexuality a bad reputation. He’s a neon sign, a walking billboard for every over-the-top stereotype that’s ever been ascribed to gay men.

Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me that he gets picked on, because frankly, he asks for it.

I’m in the cafeteria, sitting at a table with Trina, and I tell her about the incident in the student services office. It was crazy, I say. Chris was, like, out of control. He was making these sweeping girly gestures with his hands, lisping all over the place.

She raises her eyebrows just before stuffing a french fry in her mouth. Bryan, that’s just Christian. He’s always like that.

So you don’t think he’s flamboyant?

She shrugs. Sure, of course he’s flamboyant. I just don’t see what’s wrong with that. Personally I think Christian’s a riot. He’s very… Nathan Lane.

Oh brother, I reply, rolling my eyes. I can’t believe he took that porn picture down to the office and showed it to Miss Aimsbury.

Trina snorts. I’d have loved to see the expression on her face.

She’s gonna need counseling now, I say, laughing.

Dang, I wish Daniels hadn’t thrown it away. I wanna see it.

Oh brother, I sigh. You want me to buy you a porno mag?

Would you?

Hell no, I retort. If I get my hands on any good porn, I’m keeping it for myself.

Seriously, you’ve got to admit that was pretty mean for someone to sabotage his locker like that, she says.

Well, that’s if he didn’t do it himself. Daniels may be right. I mean, how is someone gonna get a hold of his locker combination?

Didn’t you say that Troy Cooper was one of the kids Christian accused?

I nod in reply.

Well, Troy’s girlfriend Gina is doing an internship in that office for her vocational tech class. She works there like four or five hours a week.

Oh come on, I say, trying to sound like the voice of reason. Why would Gina be involved in some conspiracy to torment Christian?

People are jerks. Especially homophobic people.

Well, I think that’s a stretch, I admit. Troy seems pretty cool, and he’s never done anything mean like that to me.

Hmm, she says. But maybe he would if he knew about you.

Treen, come on. Giving gay porn to Christian Michaelson is not exactly mean. It’s like giving candy to a trick-or-treater.

Well, I think if someone broke into your locker and posted a graphic sex pic like that, then wrote nasty homophobic names all over the inside, you’d be a little freaked.

Yeah, maybe, but ya know what? That’s never gonna happen. People aren’t gonna pick on me like that because I don’t go around broadcasting my private life. I don’t shove my sexuality down other people’s throats.

She looks at me seriously. I think you need to be shoving something down someone’s throat, actually. Maybe if you did, you’d appreciate a cocksucker like Christian a little more.

I don’t know whether to laugh or be offended. I just sit there and eat my cheeseburger.

BEING a middle child, I’m very much used to going unnoticed, blending in. I’ve a sister who is two years older than me, and I have two younger brothers. They’re twins. I was four when Brady and Brandon were born, and my sister Beth became sort of a guardian for the three of us. Having three young children, two of them identical, is a lot for one set of parents to manage, and Beth became a surrogate mom in a lot of ways.

I think it was just natural that the twins got all of the attention. Of course Beth, being the oldest and often the big-sister babysitter, was important to the family in many ways. I just was the middle kid. I just was there, easily forgotten and often overlooked.

It’s not a complaint, really, so much as it is an observation. I’ve never doubted that my parents love me. I’ve never really even felt any resentment. To be truthful, I wouldn’t want all the attention that is showered upon my brothers. To me it would feel like living under a magnifying glass.

I doubt that any of them suspect I’m gay. They just think I’m a loner, and I also would guess that they may have some false assumptions about my relationship with Trina. Mom has made remarks to me, saying that Trina and I seem very close. It’s like she is hinting to me that it’s okay to open up to her and tell her I’m madly in love with the girl. Well, obviously I’m not, and Trina knows I’m not, and Trina knows why I’m not.

I can’t tell Mom any of this, though, and especially not Dad.

And even though Trina is my closest friend, she’s not my only friend. I do have guys who are friends with me too. The most important of them is Mike.

Okay, time out. Since I’m being honest, let me back up a bit. Mike is not really a close friend of mine.

Wait… oh man.

Okay, let me start over about Mike. I really like him. I mean, um, I really like him. Okay, I said it. I admit it! I’m totally crushing on him. He’s just got the most adorable big brown eyes. They’re so dark that at times they look almost black. He’s one of those guys who has a really boyish looking face, and he has big bushy eyebrows. He also speaks fluent Spanish, which I think is so sexy. (Mike, aka Miguel, is Latino.)

And since I promised to be honest, I guess I have to also confess that Mike really isn’t my friend at all. He is more of a fantasy friend. I’d do anything to get him to notice me. Crazy, isn’t it? I already said how I’m comfortable with not being noticed. But when it comes to that one special boy, I want more than anything for him to just realize that I exist!

A few weeks ago I went to one of the school’s soccer games. I’m generally not real big on sports, but I had an ulterior motive. Mike’s on the team, and I used my cell phone to take some pictures of him on the field. Nobody knows I have them, not even Trina, and I spend a lot of my alone time looking at them, looking at the pictures of drop-dead-gorgeous Mike, my Latin lover.

In my dreams!

BRYAN, with these SAT scores, you should be thinking about applying to some of the more exclusive universities, Mr.

Reviews for Bullied

[gmtapublishing · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"BULLIED" BY JEFF ERNOThis book was incredibly moving. It delves deep into several stories of being bullied and how hard it is on the younger generation today. The stories all relate to kids that are homosexual and how they are treated in school by their peers. It also shows how kids are viewed differently depending on their personalities. What I found most interesting is it doesn't matter if a person is homosexual, sometimes they are treated differently depending on how they present themselves rather than their sexual preference. You could have two kids in the same school both with homosexual tendencies and one could be treated fine while the other is treated as an outcast.This book is definitely one I would recommend, not just to the younger generation that are homosexual but to any of the younger generation that have bullied or have been bullied. It really does hit home and teaches some profound lessons on what it's like to be in both positions, as well as going in depth into the mind of both the bully and the victim. This is one of the issues today that has become more prominent and I very much feel this book gives great insight into the ongoing problem of bullying with our youth. Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community

[ravenswoodpublishi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"BULLIED" BY JEFF ERNOThis book was incredibly moving. It delves deep into several stories of being bullied and how hard it is on the younger generation today. The stories all relate to kids that are homosexual and how they are treated in school by their peers. It also shows how kids are viewed differently depending on their personalities. What I found most interesting is it doesn't matter if a person is homosexual, sometimes they are treated differently depending on how they present themselves rather than their sexual preference. You could have two kids in the same school both with homosexual tendencies and one could be treated fine while the other is treated as an outcast.This book is definitely one I would recommend, not just to the younger generation that are homosexual but to any of the younger generation that have bullied or have been bullied. It really does hit home and teaches some profound lessons on what it's like to be in both positions, as well as going in depth into the mind of both the bully and the victim. This is one of the issues today that has become more prominent and I very much feel this book gives great insight into the ongoing problem of bullying with our youth. Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community