for me.....about six girls in the clique (I wasn't one of them) and they were 'top dogs' in the school and bullied everyone. I was a very mousy bookworm (a geek by today's standards) and constantly had one of them typically knock my books out of my arms (no backpacks in those days) and kick them down the hall forcing me to chase after them or have to buy new replacements. Big fun......
One day I was informed by their 'leader' that she was going to beat the crap out of me after school. I waited inside for a pretty long time, hoping they would all be gone by the time I finally left.......no joy. As soon as I exited the building, they were all in a circle around me, and here comes the 'leader'. As usual, she knocked the books out of my arms.....bigger fun.
I bent down, picked up the books and as I came up, I didn't realize she was bent over me waiting for her chance to deck me. Unfortunately for her, my books hit her square on the bridge of her nose and broke it.
After that, I was the one nobody messed with......it was an accident on my part but God smiled on me that day and took my problem away. I had the reputation after that until after I graduated that I was someone to never cross......and I never had to try to 'prove' myself again. Good thing, too, because I am definitely not a physical fighter and would lose in a large way..........