Stories of Bullying: Pippy versus Big Betty Barry

by Amber-Dawn Rische-Nicholas
(Nashville, TN, USA)

Stories of Bullying: Scared

"Hurry up and get ready for school, Pippy," said Mom.

"I feel sick," said Pippy. "May I stay home?"

Mom felt Pippy's head. "You don't have a fever. I think you're just fine."

Pippy groaned.

"What the matter? Afraid of Big Betty Barry?" said Suzie, sticking her head in the door to Pippy's room. "She's gonna whoop you if you don't take it back."

"I was just joking when I said Big Betty Barry loves Derrick Airy," said Pippy.

"You didn't just say it," said Suzie. "You sang it in the cafeteria-Big Betty Barry loves Derrick Airy, Big Betty Barry loves Derrick Airy-and everyone laughed."

"Well it's true," said Pippy. "Big Betty stares daggers into everyone, but she turns bright red and looks at the ground when she see's Derrick. That's the sign of a major crush."

"Yeah, well it was really dumb to pick on the school bully," said Suzie. "And she's double mad because you're only in third grade and she's in fourth. She looks REALLY bad now. And to make it worse, I'm in Big Betty's class, and she's gonna make me pay just because I'm your sister."

Pippy wished she was braver. And she wished she had never made fun of Big Betty.


On the Bus

The big yellow school bus pulled up. Pippy felt faint when she saw Big Betty Barry's face peering through the window at her.

"The seat right behind the bus driver is open," said Suzie. "She can't kill us in front of him."

Pippy dove into the empty seat and Suzie squeezed in next to her. Just then Pippy heard a voice behind her say,

"Move over."

Pippy cringed. She knew who the voice belonged to. The two boys behind Pippy and Suzie jumped out of their seats and ran for the back. Pippy felt a tug on her ponytail. She turned around. She was face to face with Big Betty Barry.

"Thought you could escape me, did you, Pip Squeak?" said Big Betty with a laugh. "I'm gonna smoosh your face against this window until it's flat as a pancake."

"You don't scare me, Big Betty Barry," said Pippy.

"You're scared and you know it," said Big Betty.

"You're just mad because everyone knows you love Derrick Airy," said Pippy.

"Shut up, Pippy!" cried Suzie. "You're gonna get us killed."

Big Betty's eyes burned like fire.

"You little-" she yelled, but before she could finish Pippy started singing as loud as she could.

"Big Betty Barry loves Derrick Airy, Big Betty Barry loves Derrick Airy."

Everyone on the bus started laughing and Big Betty's face turned as red as an apple.

"You're going to pay for this, pip squeak," said Big Betty. She shook her fist at Pippy and ran to the back.

"Wow! Did you see Big Betty's face?" said Suzie. "You sure have guts, Pippy."



Who Knew?

The lunch bell rang. Pippy kept her eyes peeled for Big Betty as she walked down the hall. Suddenly the door to the girl's bathroom swung open. Big Betty was just coming out. She glared at Pippy and made an ugly face.

"After school behind the gym," said Big Betty. "Be there or else."

Pippy shuttered.

"D-d-don't worry," said Suzie at the lunch table. "I'll go with you."

Just then Derrick Airy sat down next to Pippy. Derrick looked around and then whispered.

"You said Big Betty Barry loves me."

"Well, she didn't actually say that," said Pippy, "but I can tell she has a crush on you."

"Really?" said Derrick. "You really think she likes me?"

Pippy and Suzie looked at each other and nodded.

"Well I kind of like her too," said Derrick.

The sister's mouths dropped open. Pippy quickly thought of a plan.

"Hey Derrick, meet me behind the gym as soon as school is over," she said.

"What for?" asked Derrick.

"I'm meeting Big Betty Barry out there. I'll tell her you like her too," said Pippy.

"Okay," said Derrick, "but don't tell any of my friends. They'll kill me for liking a girl."



The Almost Fight

School was out. Pippy pinched herself to make sure this was real. She was really going to meet the meanest girl in school behind the gym. She crossed her fingers for luck. This has to work, she thought. Suzie went with her. There was Big Betty Barry with three of her mean friends. Big Betty's arms were crossed across her chest.

"So you decided to show up after all?" Big Betty said. "Well you're gonna be sorry you ever tried to pick on me."

Pippy looked around. Derrick was nowhere to be seen. He better show up or I'm dead meat, she thought.

"Girls, show little Miss Pip Squeak-third grader who's boss," said Big Betty to her friends.

The other girls laughed and started towards Pippy. Just then Suzie yelled out.

"Wait! He's here."

"Who's here?" said Big Betty.

"Derrick Airy!" cried Pippy.

"Why you little-" yelled Big Betty, but she stopped when she saw Derrick.

"He likes you too," gushed Pippy.

Big Betty blushed.

"Do you wanna go get some ice cream?" asked Derrick shyly.

"Sure-I mean, yeah," stammered Big Betty. She looked at Pippy. "I guess you're not so bad after all, Pip Squeak."

Big Betty Barry and Derrick Airy walked off holding hands.

Pippy breathed a sigh of relief. "Big Betty Barry isn't so scary after all," she said. "And that's the last time I'm gonna put up with being called 'Pip Squeak'."