Suzie and the Day I Told Off Blake

Sometimes, it's hard for autistic people to make friends. People prejudge us, call us weird, and ignore us. However, when we make  a friend, we become fiercely loyal to that person. Let me tell you about Suzie*.

When I was thirteen, we met with a homeschool group every week. At first,  I was nervous about joining, but I already knew two of the boys in the group, Aaron and Trevor. Their sister Suzie was too young to join, but after school, she and I would hang out and watch Phantom of the Opera. She had excellent taste in musicals.

Now, I didn't know the other two boys before joining the group, but I quickly learned that Jordan liked to talk fast and loud, and that Blake enjoyed annoying Suzie and me. Usually, I didn't mind Blake's antics, because we would occasionally have water-balloon fights after school, and I got my sweet revenge then. Let me tell you, that's a good form of anger management.

Well, one day after school, Suzie was angry and upset about something. Apparently, Blake had just told her "I hope you choke." I've heard worse insults, but at that point I was fuming. "How dare he speak to my friend that way!" I thought. So I told Suzie to follow me, and I stormed to her older brother's room, where all the boys were.

"Blake, what did you say to Suzie?" I asked with a menacing voice.  He ignored me. "Did you just tell her I hope you choke?" I got in his face. Now, I was the shortest person in the group, and I was the only girl, but  Aaron, Trevor, and Jordon were shaking. "If I ever catch you talking to her like that again..." I don't remember exactly what I threatened, because my brain kind  of went on auto-pilot. I only really remember my emotions. I was furious, and I spoke in a growl as if I were some kind of animal. 



When I was done, I stormed off to watch Phantom of the Opera with Suzie.

I didn't find out until later that I had completely terrified all four of those boys, and after five years, Jordan still tells the story to everyone he meets. That day, I earned the fear--and respect--of my homeschool group.

So next time you find yourself talking  to an autistic person, try to look past the quirks, and take a genuine interest in them. If you become their friend, they will loyally defend you.

*Names have been changed.