October 1997

"What are you dressing up for halloween?"

"Oh, I'm gonna be a fairy princess mermaid!"

"I'm gonna be a chef zombie, cooking and eating brains at the same time!"

"I'm going as super warrior lion girl!" I screamed, followed by a loud roar.

"Looks like Yifan will be himself for halloween." Another kid shouted, and everyone laughed.

I look at the far back where Wu Yifan was seated.

He was a scrawny little kid with a thin long face.

Everyone was laughing and chanting "Long face, long face."

Yifan looked helpless.

Although I don't know him.

I knew I had to do something.

"Guys, can we all just calm down." I said.

But it didn't work.

They went infront of him and laughed.

"Long face, long face."

"Ugly face, ugly face."

"Long ugly face. Uglyyyyy faaaaaace."

"Hey, cut it out!" I screamed.

Everything was a blur.

As a kid, my parents thought me that bullying was bad.

And no one should be taken advantage of.

I ran to where the bullies were and slapped them in the face.

Hard.

Was I being hypocritical?

Was I being a bully?

Or was it for self defense?

Well, not self but you get the point.

And just in time.

The teacher walks in.

The bullies were crying.

"Rose, what did you do?!" She screamed in shock.

"They were bullying---" I tried to explain but she cut me off.

"Looks like they were the ones being bullied." She said. "Okay, time out."

She made me drag my chair all the way to wall.

And made me face it for the rest of recess.

"Umm, thanks." Some tapped me on the shoulder.

I look up and it was Yifan, smiling.

i just realized his two front teeth were missing.

He dragged his chair next to mine, facing the wall.

"Want a cookie?" He asked

Offering me a chocolate chip cookie.

Who am I to say no to a cookie.

I took it and ate it. 

"Thanks." I said while chewing on the cookie.

"Rose and Yifan sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G"

People sang behind us.

I didn't mind.

I was eating a delish cookie.