[TRIGGER WARNING]
I'm sorry you were bullied, Quarky. That behavior was criminal. I experienced similar bullying when I was in school; I am glad that in our times, young people can go to the school authorities or the police and be believed and protected. That wasn't the case 30+ years ago when that happened to me, so here is what I did:
1. Cultivated friends who loved me for who I am. They were all ages, genders, and sexualities. Some very popular, some very shy. All brave, with good hearts. I protected and stood up for them, and they did the same for me.
2. Did not keep bullies' secrets. I did not act ashamed that I was hurt or mistreated-- bullies are the ones who are sick and disgusting, not the beautiful people they try to prey on. Shine a light on predator's behavior and they go elsewhere. I told my counselor what was going on, and made friends with the school administrators.
3. Did not let the bullies win. I acted fearless and did not let them see me change who I was. When they stuffed me in garbage cans and dumpsters, I jumped out, put my hands in the air, and said "Tada!" with a big smile on my face, then stared them in the eyes. When they bound me up, carried me across campus over their heads, and threw me headfirst to the pavement, I rolled to avoid death or severe injury, then jumped up, freed myself, laughed in their faces, and sat down in the middle of a group of people that included a couple of my friends who were head cheerleaders. They led a strike, and for a month, none of the boys on the football team got any sex, until the two who hurt me were punished and had apologized.
4. Was very very careful. I changed my habits every day, never walked alone without a means of escape, and sometimes hid or ran to keep myself safe. When I could, I avoided the students who threatened me with weapons or tried to kill me, and watched out for groups of students that involved former attackers and their friends.
5. Studied hard and made friends with all of my teachers.
If there was one thing more I would do now if I had to do it all over again, I would have gotten help for my PTSD then instead of waiting many years. And today I would go to the police (back then, bullying was not treated so seriously unless the victim was hospitalized).