Scarlet didn't fit in. For starters, she didn't look like the other girls. Her ginger hair made her stick out like a sore thumb.

Scarlet hated school. She was constantly being picked on by the schools bully, Madagascar. She verbally and physically bullied her, nearly every day. This was effecting her passion for learning, and it was beginning to effect her grades too. Scarlet was becoming increasingly self conscious and depressed. Nobody paid any attention to Scarlet. While everyone else found their bus partners, Scarlet sat by herself, alone as usual.

When Scarlet wasn't watching, Madagascar threw a ball towards Scarlet. The ball whacked her in the face, knocking her over and leaving her her with a nasty graze on her arm.

Nobody asked Scarlet if she was okay, they just stood and laughed. Stephanie, Madagascar's friend, stood still, not knowing what to do. Scarlet had never felt more embarrassed and alone in all her life.

When Scarlet got home that night, her mother asked her how her day was. Scarlet lied and simply replied "good". She didn't have the courage to tell her mum about the incident with Madagascar.

The following day in maths, Scarlet's teacher Miss Read was giving out the maths test results. Madagascar was bragging to Stephanie about her amazing grades, as usual.

Madagascar got an A+ of course, but Scarlet was absolutely devastated when she saw her grade, a D. Madagascar just laughed while her friend Stephanie stood and watched.

Scarlet came home crying that night. Her mum asked what was wrong. Scarlet showed her mum her grade and her mum gave her a big hug.

Scarlet finally plucked up enough courage and told her mum all about Madagascar. Her mum gave her some helpful advice. She told Scarlet that next time Madagascar said anything mean, to either stand up for herself if she feels comfortable, or to just walk away. Try not to let them see how upset you are, or else they'll feel like they're getting a reaction out of you.