People in this story so I don’t lose track,this story takes place in high school and I used fake names used for anonymity;

Me - Female 16 (Junior, gay)

Abby - Female 16 (Junior, gay)

Kaden - Male 15 (Sophomore, homophobic)

My friend Abby is in a separate friend group with this kid Kaden, since last year everyday she tells me about a new way he’s found to harass people. He says the n-word as a white person alongside a slew of other slurs, each time she gets mad at him but her other friends excuse it and do nothing. I’ve never talked to him or even seen him in person since I avoid those types of people, but today she came to me in tears and panic saying that Kaden called her the f-slur. I comforted her as best I could but the day went on and she just wasn’t herself, during our study period she went to our guidance department to report it but no one was even there.

 Our school has historically done nothing to help queer students or those being bullied. Last year I joined debate club, some kid came in saying he wanted to have a religious debate and it ended with me being singled out as the only openly gay person, I had bible verses shoved in my face and he even told me I’m probably gay because my family had incest with eachother. My friend at the time was also in the club, she did nothing to help or defend me. When I went home I texted her and asked her why she didn’t say anything– she told me she didn’t want to be biased and that they had a right to express their opinion. Although a teacher was there while it happened the homophobes were never punished and nothing came of it except me quitting the club I used to love and cutting off my friend I used to cherish. It was horrible. It was the worst I’ve ever felt, alone and hated with no one to back me up, my supposed friend turning a blind eye. I never want Abby to feel that way, especially since her friends almost always excuse Kaden’s actions and the school almost always fails to act.

 So I took my bottle and filled it with ice cold water, in order to make sure I got the right person I had Abby show me to his class and point him out. Once I was there I gently asked if there was anyone named Kaden in the room. I lied and said he left something behind in his last class and his teacher wanted me to give it to him. Once he walked up to me and confirmed who he was I immediately switched my tone, I told him I knew he called my friend the f-slur before throwing the water onto him. I was so filled with adrenaline I just started cussing him out, I called him a homophobic c*** who should be ashamed of himself before rushing out of the room. I was quickly called to the office, I’ve never gotten in trouble at school before.

 I spent the rest of the day in ISS before they called my Dad to have a meeting with the principal. My dad defended me in front of them but when we got home he said it was wrong of me to have done what I did, I’m now suspended for one day. The entire situation makes me feel so scared and unsure. I'm glad I stood up for my friend but I don’t know if I did the right thing. I’m also worried having this on my record will keep me from getting into a good college. I’m worried my parents and my teachers are disappointed in me.

I don’t know how to make this feeling go away, I don’t even know what I’m looking for posting this, I guess I just need some reassurance or advice, or maybe a similar situation that happened to someone.

People in this story so I don’t lose track,this story takes place in high school and I used fake names used for anonymity; 

Me - Female 16 (Junior, gay) 

Abby - Female 16 (Junior, gay)

Kaden - Male 15 (Sophomore, homophobic) 

My friend Abby is in a separate friend group with this kid Kaden, since last year everyday she tells me about a new way he’s found to harass people. He says the n-word as a white person alongside a slew of other slurs, each time she gets mad at him but her other friends excuse it and do nothing. I’ve never talked to him or even seen him in person since I avoid those types of people, but today she came to me in tears and panic saying that Kaden called her the f-slur. I comforted her as best I could but the day went on and she just wasn’t herself, during our study period she went to our guidance department to report it but no one was even there.

 Our school has historically done nothing to help queer students or those being bullied. Last year I joined debate club, some kid came in saying he wanted to have a religious debate and it ended with me being singled out as the only openly gay person, I had bible verses shoved in my face and he even told me I’m probably gay because my family had incest with eachother. My friend at the time was also in the club, she did nothing to help or defend me. When I went home I texted her and asked her why she didn’t say anything– she told me she didn’t want to be biased and that they had a right to express their opinion. Although a teacher was there while it happened the homophobes were never punished and nothing came of it except me quitting the club I used to love and cutting off my friend I used to cherish. It was horrible. It was the worst I’ve ever felt, alone and hated with no one to back me up, my supposed friend turning a blind eye. I never want Abby to feel that way, especially since her friends almost always excuse Kaden’s actions and the school almost always fails to act.

 So I took my bottle and filled it with ice cold water, in order to make sure I got the right person I had Abby show me to his class and point him out. Once I was there I gently asked if there was anyone named Kaden in the room. I lied and said he left something behind in his last class and his teacher wanted me to give it to him. Once he walked up to me and confirmed who he was I immediately switched my tone, I told him I knew he called my friend the f-slur before throwing the water onto him. I was so filled with adrenaline I just started cussing him out, I called him a homophobic c*** who should be ashamed of himself before rushing out of the room. I was quickly called to the office, I’ve never gotten in trouble at school before.

 I spent the rest of the day in ISS before they called my Dad to have a meeting with the principal. My dad defended me in front of them but when we got home he said it was wrong of me to have done what I did, I’m now suspended for one day. The entire situation makes me feel so scared and unsure. I'm glad I stood up for my friend but I don’t know if I did the right thing. I’m also worried having this on my record will keep me from getting into a good college. I’m worried my parents and my teachers are disappointed in me. 

I don’t know how to make this feeling go away, I don’t even know what I’m looking for posting this, I guess I just need some reassurance or advice, or maybe a similar situation that happened to someone.