Stand up for yourself, even if you get in trouble. Getting in trouble doesn't REALLY matter that much, even if it does bum you out if you aren't used to being in trouble. In 5 or 10 years, knowing that you grew a spine during your HS years will be more important (and necessary) than avoiding the temporary inconvenience that is "trouble".
I didn't really have physical confrontations on school campus (i did have a couple fights off campus), but I did tell a bitch or two to STFU and get out of my face. I did get busted smoking. I did get busted skipping school. I did get sent to the principal/vice principal's office on more than one occasion. And truth be told, if you hadn't started this topic and got me thinking about it, I would have never remembered any of that crap. As much trouble as I got in, I got away with WAY WAY WAY more. I almost always made straight A's, and my teachers loved me. You can be a little feisty and still be a good person.
High school seems like such a big deal at the time. But really, it ain't ****. All of it will pass, and you'll be fine. Besides... you should look at it as valuable experience. In your adult life, you'll be faced with having to look at and be near people you don't like and who don't like you a lot of the time. The difference is, with school.. the government requires that you go, so outside of being expelled or sent off or whatever - which seems outside the scope of your reality - you're always going to end up going back. With work, your livelihood depends on it so you basically just have to deal with it. Spare yourself the wasted emotions, grit your teeth, bite the bullet and whatever other phrase they say, and get used to it... ain't nothin' easy, girlfriend.
You don't need luck. You just need to straighten out your shoulders and hold your head high. Don't let people eff with you. Don't take it forever and ever, and don't bottle it in. Tell a bitch to stand up and do something about it and face the punishment she'll receive for messing with you or to STFU about you and find someone else to pick on... someone who will sit back and take it.
Or, for the price of bail, fines, and personal service fees, Kate and I will come over and eradicate the problem.
