In the busy halls of Lincoln High, where everyone should be happy and talking, there's something not right. Sarah knows this feeling too well. She feels it every day, the way people look at her and whisper when she walks by. She used to be cheerful, making everyone laugh, but now she keeps her head down, hoping nobody will notice her. The bullies are like shadows, always around, saying things that hurt more than any punch. It's like a war between friends and enemies, and Sarah and others like her are stuck in the middle, trying to stay okay while bullying messes with their feelings.

Aynur Korkmaz &her students / SAIHL

Nida Başkurt & Her Students- Hacı Kemal Kadooğlu Secondary School

One particularly gloomy Monday morning, as Sarah trudged through the crowded halls clutching her books tightly to her chest, she felt the weight of everyone's eyes on her. She heard snippets of conversation, cruel laughter echoing around her. It was as if the whispers formed a sinister soundtrack to her daily torment.

As she turned a corner, she bumped into Mark, one of the ringleaders of the bullies. His smirk was enough to make her heart sink. "Watch where you're going, loser," he sneered, shoving her aside with a force that sent her stumbling into the lockers. The metallic clang reverberated in her ears as she struggled to regain her balance, cheeks burning with humiliation.

Giovanna Agrillo and her students of Liceo statale N.Jommelli Italy

Sarah started running through the halls to escape once more ...she felt tears prickling at her eyes, slowly, threatening to come out and flow like a river, while the whole school was watching. She couldn’t resist the feeling anymore and, as her head became a jumbled-up mess of thoughts and worries echoing in her mind like spirits that haunted her in her wake, she ran to the bathrooms and locked herself in a stall. As soon as it was closed, her back hit the door and she slid to the floor, knees to her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. She couldn’t stand this anymore. She was tired of the bullies, of being made fun of, of the eyes watching her like hawks in the halls, of everyone giggling and smirking at her as she passed by,  of everything. She was sick of it. How was she supposed to get out of this situation?

Ivana Miletic & her students

In the dimly lit bathroom stall, Sarah felt suffocated by the weight of her emotions. Each tear that escaped her eyes carried with it a silent plea for escape for relief from the relentless torment she faced day in and day out.

Serena Parente  & her students; Scuola media "Amaldi", Rome, Italy

Emily tried again : "Sarah? Are you in there? I'm worried about you!". Sarah felt these words as a lifeboat in her emotional flooding and decided to open the stall door. Emily was standing there, waiting for her. "It was incredible" thought Sarah. How was it possible that someone is willing to help her?

Tears came out and flowed like a river. a huge hug from Emily let all emotions get out. 

Emily was there for Sarah. She wanted to help her not feeling alone anymore and they could find a way to get out of this terrible situation together. The two girls decided to talk with adults. The question was "Who could we talk with?", maybe parents?, bur Sarah didn't want to worry them and teacher were always so busy. 

"Why don't we try to talk to Mr Jones, the ICT Teacher?", said Emily. 

Mr Jones is always so nice and the boys of our school see him as a model to follow. 

Iliana Gudelj & her students

During that period, Mr. Jones just happened to have some free time, giving him the chance to have a little chat. "Mr. Jones, could we have a quick chat with you?" They  said waliking into his office. "Of course, come on in. Is everything alright?” he asked.  Sarah felt her body shiver in fear. “What will happen now?”, “Can he really help me?”, “Was I maybe just overreacting?”… Emily realised Sarah's zoning out and confronted her right away that there’s nothing to worry about. Sarah quickly brushed it off as Emily helped her explain her situation, stating that one of  students, Mark, has inflicted tons of torment towards her.   Mr. Jones was shocked. “It never crossed my mind that he was capable of something like that; he always seemed..." The girls exchanged confused glances. "Well, he was always seen as the friendly, caring guy in class who never caused any trouble. Also, he's one of my top students and he has always participated in ICT competitions, at least he did” Mr. Jones added, leaving Sarah and Emily in disbelief. "I'm sorry you're going through this, Sarah. I promise you, he will be dealt with accordingly," Mr. Jones assured them with sincerity.

Hajdi Jelaska Relja and her students

The next day Mr. Jones requested Mark to stay after class. He warned him that if the bullying continues he would face serious consequences. However, during the lunch break Mark angrily approached Sarah in the cafeteria. “Sarah you little brat, how dare you snitch on me?!” he screamed.  Sarah froze in fear. Emily jumps out of her chair screaming back at him: “Leave her alone Mark!” Mark turned to Emily: “Who do you think you are to defend her? Stay out of this.” As Emily was thinking about what to say, Sarah regained her confidence and stood up to Mark: “She’s my best friend and how dare YOU talk to her that way”  Mark mumbled: “I can’t believe she talked back to me.” and furiously walked out of the cafeteria. As he was leaving, Emily excitedly looked at Sarah: “You finally did it! You stood up for yourself!”