I have always felt sorry for those who sit alone at lunch, or are teased1 by the “popular” kids． I don＇t think there is a good reason for making someone feel uncomfortable or hurting someone＇s feelings． People were created to make a difference2, not to be treated like dirt．
　　It was a couple of weeks ago that I really learned how awful some people are． There was a new girl in school, her name was Sarah． The only reason I knew that was because the teacher introduced her to the class． Right away, I heard snickers3． Sarah was dressed like a “nerd．”4 She had glasses with a piece of masking tape and was wearing suspenders5, big whoop6! I know she heard the laughter because her face turned bright red． I could tell that the girls in back were thinking about more nasty7 things to say．
　　At lunch, she sat by herself． I heard laughing behind me and saw some girls pointing． I felt really sorry for Sarah, but I decided to let it go． The next day, she sat next to me in social studies． I heard giggles again and more whispering, yet for some reason, I didn＇t do anything． I didn＇t tease with the other kids, but I didn＇t do anything to stop it either．
　　At lunch, once again, she sat by herself． As I looked over at her, a sharp pain ran through me． I knew I should have done something, but I didn＇t, even when a “popular” girl spilled8 juice on her, on purpose!
　　On Wednesday, I finally had enough． Sarah was sitting in the library at a table and a girl said to her, “You don＇t belong here． You＇ll never be cool, you＇re a loser．” I saw tears in Sarah＇s eyes as Kate walked away laughing with her friends． I stood up, sick and tired of all the teasing and said, “Actually, Kate, I don＇t think so． Picking on9 other people is really immature10． You don＇t see Sarah walking around making fun of other people．” I walked over and plopped myself into the seat next to Sarah11． Then, I introduced myself． She whispered in her quiet, quaint12 voice, “I＇m Sarah, thank you so much．”
　　Sarah and I have become really good friends． I brought her out of her shell13, and I learned a lot about her． It turned out we shared a lot of the same interests． I learned a lot that year about the real world, and myself more than I could ever be taught． Even if you＇re trying to impress your friends or trying to move up the “social ladder,”14 hurting someone＇s feelings isn＇t worth it． I stood up for what was right, even though I was standing alone．

1． tease  v．取笑，戏弄
2． make a difference 使不同，有差异
3． snicker  n．窃笑，暗笑
4． nerd n．（贬）呆笨的人
5． suspender  n．（常pl．）（裤子的）背带
6． whoop  n．高喊，高叫
7． nasty  adj．卑鄙的
8． spill [spil] v．使溢出，使溅出
9． pick on 不断地挑剔或责骂
10．immature  adj．不成熟的，不慎重的
11．此句意为：我向萨拉走过去，扑通一声就在她旁边的一个座位上坐下了。
12．quaint adj．奇妙的，古雅的
13．bring sb． out of his(her) shell 使某人不再缄默，使某人开始活跃
14．to move up the social ladder 爬到社会的上层，飞黄腾达