Dionie McNair - Finding the Upside of Down

Finding the Upside of Down

ISBN # 978-1-78651-764-7

Copyright Dionie McNair 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh Copyright May 2016

Edited by Ann Leveille

Finch Books

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the authors imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Finch Books.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Finch Books. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Finch Books, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Finch Books is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

FINDING THE UPSIDE OF DOWN

Dionie McNair

Broken by bullying, Tabitha volunteers and finds just what she needs to mend her life.

Being bullied has always been part of Tabitha Cockells life. Since first grade her tormentor, Amelia, has hounded her with cruel taunts, name-calling and nasty rumors both face to face and online. She attempts suicide, but is saved in the nick of time by the guy she has just started dating after he reads her suicide note on Facebook.

Survival means she has to face life, but she doesnt know how until she sees a crew of State Emergency Service volunteers at work. She finds the courage to join, and her decision soon has her seeing and understanding life from a whole new perspective.

Dedication

To all the victims of bullying

I know there are many of you out there

Silently suffering, afraid to speak out

I understand your pain

Because I was bullied too

There is no easy answer

Bullying is endemic in our society. Yet many still do not take it seriously

Do not understand the deep, sustained damage perpetrated

Verbal, physical, social or cyber

In the

Home, school or work

Demand it be stamped out, wherever and however it exists

Do not stay silent, ask for help

Refuse to retreat into a dark place, suicide is not the answer

Those who love you will light the darkness

and help you fight the unrelenting pain that gnaws at you

Never accept a bullys assessment of who you are

for their opinion only reflects their own weaknesses and damaged spirit

For you are unique, wonderful and blessed with many talents

Dig deep, find your individual way to shine

For when you shine with your own bright light,

you will believe in yourself

Become too strong to be crushed

by the empty words of a bully

I hope Tabithas story, Finding the Upside of Down, offers a ray of hope to victims, encourages them to tell and talk and to search within themselves for their own unique talent. It doesnt matter what that talent isvolunteering for the SES or CFS, painting, writing a book, saving the whales, running in a marathon, you must find it, foster it and learn to believe in yourself. Only then can a bullys words and actions be stripped of the power to scar your soul.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Facebook: Facebook, Inc.

Excel: Microsoft Corporation

Akubra: Akubra Hats Pty Limited Company

McDonalds: McDonalds Inc.

Photoshop: Adobe Systems Incorporated

Corvette: General Motors LLC

Esky: The Coleman Company, Inc.

Mighty Mouse: CBS Operations Inc.

Chapter One

The rough, solid shove against Tabithas right shoulder demolished her precarious balance as she negotiated the last step. Her pile of textbooks, pencils and new tablet flew from her folded arms and splattered in an arc on the narrow landing. She reached out to save herself but her hand slipped from the rail and she crashed onto her knees with a bone-jarring thud.

Oops, Tubby Tabbys done a bellyflop, but then, you always were clumsy, werent you? Such a shame, on your first day at college and all, to make such a scene.

Tabitha flinched at the scathing words, the scorching heat of embarrassment burning across her face as she looked up into Amelia Eckertons sneering expression. What the hell was she doing here? Why wasnt she at university?

As usual, Tabitha struggled to respond to Amelia taunts, to find the words to refute her cruelty and the courage to say them out loud. As she cowered on her knees, the other students pushed past, stepping nonchalantly over her belongings or shoving them aside so they didnt have to step on them. By the time Tabitha had gathered her composure, Amelia had disappeared down the next flight of stairs. Her knees hurt, her wrist throbbed where she had used it to break her fall and tears of embarrassment burned at the backs of her eyes. As she tried to scramble to her feet with as much dignity as possible, a hand provided support under her elbow.

You all right?

Upright once more, Tabitha turned and found a dainty blonde girl by her side.

I think so. Thank you for helping me, she said.

Im Jaclyn, the blonde girl announced as she bent down and began to gather Tabithas books from the floor. Here you go, she said as she handed over Tabithas things. Good luck. I might see you round.

Thanks again, Tabitha said loudly as she watched Jaclyn skip down the stairs and disappear in the milling students.

Tabithas positivity and mettle for her venture into campus life vanished with the helpful stranger. One cruel action of a ruthless bully had shattered her new start and brought the past rushing back with stark cruelty. The throb from her knees underpinned the tremble of shock and dismay as she clutched the handrail to steady herself. Was this year about to be a repeat of Year Twelve, where she had crumbled under the barrage of abuse from Amelia and failed to deliver the work to achieve a satisfactory score for university? Resentment flared and Tabitha stiffened her spine. No, I will not lose this too. I will not let her get to me. She consolidated her pile of books, pushed away from the handrail and made her way down the stairs.

Shock rattled through her as she struggled to regain her earlier orientation and negotiate the maze of corridors, but at last, with a sigh of relief, she slipped through the door of room two-one-nine into the half-filled classroom. With surreptitious glances, she studied her companionsa couple of girls huddled in the back corner whispered to each other, and three guys her age sat silently waiting for the lecture to start. One of them looked up as she reached a spare desk.

Hey, Tabitha Cockell, long time no see, he said.

She looked directly at him, stunned by a flash of recognition. My God, Alex, what are you doing here?

I bombed out in my second year of my vet course, didnt work hard enough. I have to get some money together to go back so took a job at the racing stables, he said. Boss wants me to have some qualifications so he sent me here.

Wow, Tabitha exclaimed, stunned at Alexs failure to make the grade at university.