For you, it was second grade. For me, it was mid-year entry into kindergarten. The bullying and ostracism were point-for-point alike.

I'm sorry that switching schools later still didn't give you a reset. I was stuck in the same facility K-6, so never had a chance at a reset. By the time I hit 7th grade I'd convinced myself that I liked being a maverick and didn't want to fit in, and found places to hide and eat lunch alone (since outdoor recess wasn't so much of a requirement anymore).

Kids are so vulnerable, and cruelty to them is wrong in any and every circumstance.