How My Childhood Bully Became My Best Friend | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

How My Childhood Bully Became My Best Friend

From threats as a child to being inseperable as adults, I love my childhood tormentor more than anyone.

888
How My Childhood Bully Became My Best Friend
Nicole Wendel

There she stood: tall frame, athletic build, mousey brown hair and round-rimmed glasses. I never feared someone more in my life. She always had a smile on her face and a Mary Kate and Ashley book in hand. I thought to myself, "I like Mary Kate and Ashley. Maybe we can be friends." With my Oshkosh overalls, lace trimmed socks and 90's haircut, I took a deep breath and tapped her shoulder. This is the day that started years of bullying and gaining a best friend.

Growing up with a multitude of cousins was a blast at every family party — there was always someone to play with, but the little girl I wanted to play with most wanted nothing to do with me. She always had a little red head girl with her, who seemed to be the leader. They would laugh, skip, play, and be together all day long. They were like Mary Kate and Ashley themselves — always cute, always funny, always happy — always together. I wondered who they really were, other than just "Erica and Kelley." Being the youngest cousin made me looked down upon by the older cousins, and left out by the ones a few years older than me. I always hung out with the adults, and my Grandma would always encourage me to play with the two girls.

The first day I tried was at our family 4th of July party. We were all in the pool, and the two girls were playing Tea Party underwater. Not being a great swimmer, I was holding on to the edge of the pool. I mustered up the courage to doggy paddle across to them and asked "Hey! Whatcha guys doin'?" The red headed girl rolled her eyes at me and said, "Nicole. Go away. We don't want you to play with us." I doggy paddled back to the ladder, climbed out and proceeded to cry in my Mom's arms.

Five years later, the scenario was a little different. The little red-haired girl wasn't around as much at our Grandma's house, but the girl with the mousey brown hair was. She looked different, and she acted a whole lot nicer too. Erica was as cool as I wanted to be — flip phone, highlighted hair, jean skirt from Hollister and wore contacts. My 13-year-old awkward self couldn't be more jealous. That year we became closer than ever as our Grandmother was battling Breast Cancer. When we lost our Grandma, we both gained something else — a bond.

Today, at 21 and 27 years old, Erica and I are best friends. As for the little red-haired girl, we became closer too. She now lives in Vegas and is a mommy. Every day, Erica calls me. She tells me about her day, her work life, her love life,or to discuss with me what happened this week on Grey's Anatomy. My childhood bully is now my best friend and the sister I never had. I still tease her about the days she tormented me and how now she can't get away from me.

I'm thankful that all the years of bullying paid off. The years of having to dance at the same dance studio and be compared to her are over. The years of trying to play Mary Kate and Ashley computer games with her is over. Now, I look forward to the day we both get married and can be bridesmaids in each other's weddings. I look forward to the day she starts her own family. I look forward to having her by my side no matter what. The years of torment are over and my bully is now my bestie.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1059
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

639
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199742
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20604
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments