I am still here, I am still here, and after everything I am still here, maybe stronger than ever, nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always hurt me, though not if I let them. I'm talking loud, not saying much. I will be heard. You shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am and always have been bulletproof; I am titanium, if only that were true. It is true.

It was such a long time ago when I sat alone in class. Sitting alone was something I had done quite often but on this particular day you looked at me for the first time. For a moment I felt great, I felt awesome, someone had taken notice of me. It gave me a lift, it made me strong, but I guess in a way you took aim and fired. Do you remember? Probably not but I do, I always remember. Maybe you do remember.

Do you remember watching me being pushed over that afternoon in the yard? I know you were watching because I could see you. I still see you. I always see you. The smile on your face, the little flick you gave your hair with your hand, the adjustment you gave yourself as I fell so you could get a better view of what was happening.

You said so much without saying anything at all. Maybe I just heard what I wanted to hear. You shoot me down, but I won't fall. You did smile but I like to think that you were showing concern. I am not a nobody; I was not a nobody, and I was going to prove that.

What were the chances that we, you and I, would end up going to the same college? I wanted to go to you on that first day. I noticed that you noticed me. From across the hall, I saw your smile, I saw the flick you gave your hair with your hand, and I saw you adjust your stance when I moved from your line of view. I also saw you when I was once again pushed over, the punch to the gut, the kick to the head, the look of concern on your face.

I am titanium, I won't fall. I never fell. Inside I grew strong. I had determination, I had focus. You gave me that, you know that right? The day we graduated was the pinnacle. I stood tall, I stood strong. The bullets really did ricochet. You walked right up to me. I watched you smile, I watched you flick your hair with your hand, and I needed to adjust my stance when you spoke one word. What you said will stay with me for the rest of my life.

No longer with a look of concern you simply said 'congratulations.'

I remember now, all those years ago you are the one who told me I am not a nobody. I won't fall, I won't fall, I'm bulletproof, and I stand tall. I am titanium.