Hi there
Thank you for your letter. It sounds like you and your friend are having a really tough time with these bullies. You have done the right thing to seek support - what they are doing is wrong.
I’m really concerned to hear that they are putting lighters near your face and that your friend was bleeding a lot from what they threw at her. If you’re ever in a dangerous situation like this you should call 999 and speak to the police.
Often bullies threaten the people they are bullying to try and keep their silence, in the hope that if no one finds out, they can continue getting away with it. Keeping a bullying diary is often a good way to help you show others exactly what’s happening. You can record who does what, when and how it makes you feel. Then you can use it as evidence to prove exactly what’s going on.
It sounds like you are a really supportive person, well done for standing up for your friend and sticking by her. It’s important that you have someone supporting you too; perhaps you and your friend could think of an adult that you trust to tell about these bullies on the school bus.
There is lots of information about bullying in the Explore pages and on the message boards. You are welcome to have a conversation with a ChildLine counsellor at anytime via online chat or by phone on 0800 1111 (It’s a free number, even from a mobile and it won’t show up on your bill). That way you can talk to a counsellor about what you are going through, your options and how it’s making you feel without having to wait for a reply.
Take care
Sam