Chris G (July 8)

This is the only real fight I ever got into.

You might have guessed, if you ever met me or read this blog, that I was picked on in grade school. Well on the bus in 6th grade, there was one kid who got picked on more than me. His nickname was Turtle because of the massively oversized green backpack he always wore. His shirts were always tucked into to shorts that were too small on him. He was a small tan skinned kid who looked like he was already going bald.

Without divulging too much, his family life was less than pleasant, and apparently as a side effect, the kid claimed he couldn't feel pain. He was also aggressive and rude to people as opposed to me who really was just picked on for being nerdy. Chris was trying to compensate for something by bragging about things that nobody cared about and making ridiculous claims about his supposed accomplishments.

Somehow, we were forced at odds with one another and one day it turned to a fist fight. Being bigger, I easily got the upper hand. I repeatedly smashed his head against the floor of the bus which made him laugh, that made me angry. His tiny fists didn't really hurt me either, but I have to imagine that my head being hit on a hard floor over and over would have hurt. Eventually he reached up and ripped my shirt, which really upset me.

I honestly can't remember what happened in the vice principals office, but it was just one of many times Mr. Ronkin would be seeing me over the next couple years.