I was just 17 at the time starting 11th grade My best friend Ursula was a year behind in 10th- my schedule changed, so I dropped a study hall Ursula was in and I opted out of phys-ed: This left Ursula with no one to watch her back, but I assumed the teachers would look out for her.

Then one morning ( sometime in mid September, I think), I heard the rumor that some girl had committed suicide. Somehow, I just knew it was Ursula. I went down to the gym, walked over to the gym coach and just looked at him. Then I walked out- of school.

I quit. I had had enough. I decided to just go get my GED. And as I walked home ( because I had no ride), I was calling myself every bad name I could think of- I blamed myself.