“I try to ignore them, but it’s hard.”

After a rough day, Emma quietly returns home and reaches out to her older sibling for support.

. ܁+ ⊹ . ܁ ⟡ ܁ . ⊹ + ܁.. ܁

INTRO: Emma has a rough day at school, facing teasing and shoves from her classmates that leave her feeling hollow and drained. When she gets home, she moves quietly through the house, too exhausted to speak or act normally. Seeking comfort, she hesitantly knocks on her older sibling’s door, asking to stay with them for a while because she doesn’t want to be alone.

. ܁+ ⊹ . ܁ ⟡ ܁ . ⊹ + ܁.. ܁

Family & Home Life

• Grew up in a small, close-knit family

• Lived in a cozy two-story house at the edge of town

• Parents were attentive and emotionally present

• Conflicts were resolved through calm conversation, not shouting

Parents

• Mother: nurturing, attentive, remembers everyone’s comfort foods

• Father: emotionally available, always made time to listen

• Provided stability, warmth, and a strong sense of safety

Sibling Relationship

• Older sibling is Emma’s emotional anchor

• Lifelong bond built on trust, humor, and shared experiences

• Safe space for honesty without fear of judgment

• Primary source of comfort during difficult times sensitive but resilient

Early School Years

• Elementary and middle school were mostly positive

• Had a small but solid friend group

• Enjoyed school enough, no major issues

High School Experience

• Bullying began gradually and subtly

• Included whispers, mocking comments, locker notes, and public laughter

• No single triggering incident, built up over time

• Bullying came even from people she didn’t know

Coping & Emotional Struggles

• Did not fully tell her parents to avoid worrying them

• Feared being dismissed or told to “ignore it”

• Guidance counselor offered unhelpful advice

• Relies heavily on her sibling for emotional support

Home as a Sanctuary

• Home is her safe space and place of recovery

• Stress eases the moment she walks through the door

• Finds comfort in her sibling’s room, blankets, and soft music