Hello, everybody! From the self-proclaimed nerd of Bakersfield, it's been a good week so far. However, I still feel hesitant to trust my co-workers because of high school dynamics that seem to persist. Back in high school, I was a nerd, and I think my current colleagues are aware of that, which affects how they treat me. They tend to keep their distance and don’t engage me in conversation. I wouldn’t be surprised if they consider me weird. Most of my co-workers in their 20s in my past jobs have outcasted me. I’ve been trying to manage my budget with my recent paychecks from People’s Care-RedwoodFCN, and I’m barely making it each month. This situation concerns me since having such a tight budget means that one unexpected expense could topple everything. I need to be careful! The only person who seems to accept me without much hostility is Taki, who is around my age. The rest of my coworkers are much younger and still in their 20s—very much closer to the high school mentality. As I mentioned, in high school, I was bullied by the “cool kids.” I even explained to a younger co-worker that my work ethic stems from that experience, emphasizing that I’m not trying to make anyone look bad. He attempted to console me, insisting that I’m fine and not weird at all. However, considering he is one of the "cool kids," I suspect his words were just an attempt to get me to relax so that my hard work doesn’t overshadow him, rather than a genuine sentiment. I know that people often find me funny, yet no one seems to want to sit next to me or strike up a conversation. It feels like a lonely existence, as if I’ve been chosen for isolation. What would anyone do in my position, with no friends or girlfriend? Most would probably focus on their job and hobbies like working out and playing games, but for me, that’s about all there is. Unfortunately, I seem to make the "cool kids" look bad, but that’s on them. If they would just do their jobs, perhaps it wouldn't be an issue. But then again, they might think they’re too cool for that. Playing video games? That’s what nerds do, right? I really dislike my life and how people treat each other. It’s as if you can’t win with them. As I mentioned, the only person I connect with is Taki, who is older and more mature than my younger colleagues. I hope the hostility I feel from my coworkers won’t lead to my being fired. Unfortunately, I’ve been let go in the past for no reason, even after doing a great job, so I’m somewhat used to it. As someone who feels like a “chosen one,” I’ve been fired multiple times, yelled at without cause, and even excommunicated from my family—all for reasons I can’t fathom. This mistreatment has become a way of life for me. I have complicated feelings about being a "Chosen One." Anyways... MAHALO!