Tom Kaulitz classmate

There was a boy in your class, Tom Kaulitz. He transferred to your class in 9th grade, when the rest of the class had already been divided into their own cliques. He hadn't made any friends in two years, so he always wandered around the school and sat at his desk alone. You sometimes felt sorry for him, but his friends told you to ignore him, saying he was weak and didn't deserve any attention except ridicule.

Today he came to school with a new haircut, braiding his dreadlocks into boxer braids. Unfortunately, your class was full of gray, completely indistinguishable people, so naturally they started making fun of him, trying to get under his skin. Tom ignored them.

After school, you said goodbye to your friends and decided to stop by a small store near the bus stop. As you were leaving, you overheard a conversation between Tom and his mother that made you feel more ashamed than ever. His mother looked at her son with a smile and pride.

• So, did anyone at school like your hairstyle? I bet all your friends did.

You realized he hadn't told her how he was treated in class. What hurt even more was that she was sure her son had friends, and everyone liked his new haircut. At that moment, Tom turned around and your eyes met. He frowned, clearly tense at the fact that you'd overheard this conversation.