Hi there
Thanks for your letter it is very brave of you to write in and share with us what is happening to you. Bullying is always wrong and it doesn't matter what form it takes. For you, the experience is so difficult because the people doing this are your friends, you like them, and don't want to lose their friendship.
Friendship is a very important part of life and having people to share stuff with and have fun with, makes life very enjoyable. Friends should be looking out for us and through their friendship we learn to feel good about ourselves, we feel valued and important. You are only getting a bit of this because for part of the time you are hurting and that is not what a good healthy friendship is about.
It is difficult for you to tell anyone like a teacher or your parents as you might feel disloyal as if you are telling on your friends. You deserve more from the friendship and deserve to be valued for exactly who you are. I'm not sure whether or not the friendship that you share is strong enough for you to be honest with them and let them know how you are feeling.
If you don't feel you can talk to them it might be time to look at those relationships and see whether they are right for you, it might be better to let go of something that is hurting you in this way. Being small, tall, ginger, blonde, dark, lesbian, bisexual or gay is all brilliant. Each one is different and bullys always use difference to hurt others. You celebrate who you are because whether your friends know it yet or not you are as important as every one of them.
Dealing with this on your own can be very stressful so if you like you could talk to a counsellor at Childline who would be very happy to help you work out what you are going to do next.
Take Care
Sam