Kids Can Be Mean

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• Kids Can Be Mean
• By Dani Mrazek

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Oh honey, dont worry, that is perfectly normal.
Everything will be fine.
Whats wrong sweetie?
Love you too. Sleep well!
I guesswell, goodnight. I love you.
Im nervous about my first day of Jr. High.
Hey Mom! I cant sleep
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Oh please, dont play dumb. You know exactly
what Im talking about. This year should be
interesting-have a great first day of school Dani
Mrazek! HAHA!
You can do this Danitake a deep breath and
quickly walk into the school with confidence!
Oh my gosh! How does she know who I am? What
rumors? I hate Jr. High already!
Who is that girl? Oh no, she looks like a 7th or
8th grader!
Im sure you have heard about me because I am the
most popular 7th grader in the school, Amanda
Miller.
You have? Im sorry, but I dont think I know
who you are. Whats your name?
Well, well, well, if it isnt little Miss Dani
Mrazek! Boy, I have heard a LOT about you
Whatever! I just cant wait to see if all of the
terrible rumors about you are true!
Huh? What rumors?
Nice to meet you!
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Yeah rightshe is NOT my friend. Have you seen
the clothes that she wears?
That little brat, DaniI have heard that she
thinks you are her friend, which is obviously not
true!
Hi Natalie! I actually spent a lot of time at
the beach. Oh! Ive been meaning to talk to you
about something
Hi Amanda! How are you? I missed you this
summerwhat did you do?
YES! They are SO out of style. Lets talk more
about this in gym class. Bye hun!
Oh really? About what?
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Oh great! That 7th grader is in my gym class!
Oh well. At least my friend Natalie is in it
also.
Oh my gosh! What are they talking about? I
thought Natalie was my friend!
How can there possibly be a group of people who
hate me? I am new to this school! I need to go
home.
Oh yeahI just cant believe how many people hate
Dani. I was thinking about starting an I Hate
Dani Club. What do you think?
I think thats a great idea! Could we be like
the leaders of the club?
Of course! This will be great!
So Amanda-what did you want to talk to me about?
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This 7th grade girl named Amanda came up to me
and gave me a hard time in the morning. She said
that she has heard bad rumors about me. I dont
know who she is, but apparently her and Natalie
are friends.
Dont be silly! Thats not true. But, if you
are upset, maybe its best if we go in to talk to
your school counselor tomorrow.
Alright. But, if anything else comes up, we are
going to need to do something about it.
Oh MomI had the worst day ever! There is an I
Hate Dani Club at school and Natalie was one of
the girls who started it!
I overheard Amanda and Natalie planning it in gym
class. I thought Natalie was my friend, I guess
I was wrong. Now everyone in the school is going
to hate me!
What are you talking about? Where did all of
this come from? I thought you and Natalie were
friends.
How do you know that there is such a ridiculous
club?
Shhh! Dani, I am right here. Why are you
shouting?
NO WAY! Are you CRAZY? I will get made fun of
even more!
MOM! MOM! WHERE ARE YOU?
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• The Next Week

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I sure hope that this week is better than last
week!
The whole school knows about it?!?! Why is this
happening? Why do Natalie and Amanda want to
ruin my life?
I have to get out of here-these kids cant see
me. Only 4 more periods until I can go home
Are you guys going to join the I Hate Dani Club?
Yeah. Its the talk of the school. Besides,
Natalie and Amanda started it, and they are so
cool!
For sure! Everyone is in it!
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Thats it Dani. I have had enough. You have
come home too many times upset about what is
happening at school. You should not have to feel
nervous or worried every time you go to school
that people are going to be talking about you and
this stupid club. We are going to the counselor
in the morning!
Not goodI heard a group of kids talking about
the club. The entire school knows about it!
Alright, fine. I guess I will go
Hi Mom!
Hi Dani! How was school today?
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I figured that was why you are here. There have
been some students that have come into my office
to talk about the issue. Many students are
wondering whether or not they should be a part of
some club that has supposedly formed.
To be honest, they are all very immature reasons.
Some students expressed concern that Dani wears
purses that are too long or that she wears
butterfly designs on her shirt and that she
shouldnt because they are someone elses
favorite design and think she is a copier.
I agree with your mom. This is just a phase that
some girls go through. They may be acting this
way because they are jealous of you. You are
very smart and pretty and unfortunately some
people might treat you bad because they are
jealous. I know its hard, but try not to let it
bother you.
Hello Dani. Good morning Mrs. Mrazek.
Dont worry Dani. You have done nothing wrong to
deserve this treatment.
Good morning. The reason Dani and I are here
this morning is because I am concerned with the
way some students have been treating Dani.
I am curious. What exactly are students reasons
for forming this horrible club?
Counselor
So basically, I am being judged and treated
poorly because of the way I dress?
I will try my best. Thank you for all of your
help.
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• Later that day

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I hate schoolI wonder what people are going to
say about me today. What is that girl down the
hall looking at?
You too! I was wondering if you would like to
come over to my house tomorrow after school. I
live right across from Dairy Queen, so maybe we
could get ice cream and then jump on my
trampoline!
Ashley seems SO nice. I can tell that we are
going to be best friends. I dont even care what
the other kids say about me, I dont need them as
friends.
Hi! My name is Ashley. I am not sure if you
remember me or not, but I think that we might
have been at the same birthday party this summer.
Did you go to Jill Hoffmans pool party?
You have a trampoline? How fun! I will ask my
mom, but I am sure that it will be alright with
her. Thank you for inviting me!
Wow! Yes, I did. Now that you mention it, I
remember seeing you there. My name is Dani. It
is nice to meet you.
No problem! Well, I will see you tomorrow! Bye!
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• A few weeks later

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It was a note about how people who are invited to
your party plan to RSVP and then not show up, so
that the only people that will be there are you
and I.
Me too! We are going to have so much fun roller
skating at my birthday party. I invited so many
people and so far almost everyone has said that
they can come!
I know! Im so glad that we are best friends!
I have to tell you something Danido you promise
not to freak out?
Well, the other day I found a piece of paper in
the hall.
Its so weird that we didnt know each other
sooner.
Of course, I promise! What do you have to tell
me?
What? Why is everyone so mean to me?
I dont know. But, dont worry Dani. Even if
those people dont show up, at least you will
have your best friend and family there. It will
still be a blast!
Youre right. Thanks for telling me-you are such
a great friend!
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• The Day of Danis Birthday Party

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Well, I think everyone realized how nice you are
and that they were acting rude and immature.
Come onlets go have fun!
What a great day! I can tell that things are
finally going to start to get better!
Wow! Everyone came! I cant believe it! I
wonder what made them change their minds.
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• The
• End