School is not tuff.

Last week, I decided to wear my favorite pink hoodie to school. I liked how it looked and didn't think much of it. But throughout the day, I noticed people staring, whispering, and making comments like, "Pink isn't really a guy's color," or "That's kind of feminine." Even though no one directly bullied me, I started feeling self-conscious and wondered if I should stop wearing clothes I liked just to avoid being judged. By the time I got home, I had already decided not to wear the hoodie again. Sometimes, it isn't one big act of bullying that makes people hide who they are, it is the small comments and silent judgments that make someone feel like they don't belong.

I started high school this year, and every day it feels like everyone already knows each other. I eat lunch with people sometimes, but I don't really feel like I belong anywhere. It's weird because I smile and laugh during class, so everyone probably thinks I'm doing fine. I don't even know if this is something worth complaining about—I just wish I felt like someone would notice if I wasn't there tomorrow.