I was alone. It was hard. It was easier after I got in shape and learned to fight. That improved my self-confidence, which was boosted more after I beat up a couple of bullies. At least then, I was only alone. I even squared up against a teacher when he grabbed the back of my neck and threatened to beat me up for wearing my earring to school on Halloween. he backed down quickly. They allowed 3 kids to wear full KKK robes. But my thin, small gold wire earring was a problem.