What did I do wrong?

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You acted correctly. Battles that must be fought should be chosen wisely. He obviously needed the pencil more than you did. The kid behind you should not have laughed at the trouble he caused and both of them owe you an apology.

The guy is obviously an ass. Next time say it's not his freaking pencil. Then stick it down the back of your pants and dare him to go after it.

I think they were both messing with you on purpose--might have even planned it.

You did nothing wrong. Let it go, at least for now. Jerks like that aren't worth the trouble.

However, if he/they try it again, point to "Thing 2" and say to "Thing 1": "Ask him--he's stolen from you before" and walk away. Get a teacher involved if it looks like it's going to turn physical.

Some people get their kicks from trying to screw with other people's heads. Morons.

Btw, marshall, I hate bullies too. Don't feel bad about what you posted about what you'd LIKE to do--that doesn't mean you have done it or will do it. There is no "Thought Police" (not here, anyway ).

You weren't at fault. He's playing a game with you. He wanted to see if you would stand up for yourself and fight over the pencil. It's not about the pencil, people just don't like to feel like they're being taken advantage of...most people would fight back, while you took the time to work out a logical response, i.e. "I already have another pencil, there's no use fighting." If I had to guess I would say he's harmless, unless he does something that seems threatening. I think he's doing this stuff to try and understand you. It's intimidating to some people when they come across someone like you (or me) that isn't intimidated by them, isn't really bothered by them trying to agitate you, isn't bothered by name calling (him insulting you the other day), etc.

You didn't do anything wrong, but don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. My instant reaction to something like that is to say in a pretty calm voice, "f**k off, it's not yours". Is he really going to try to start a fight in class? Maybe. It sounds like you're around some pretty rough kids. Could you sign up for some martial arts classes over the summer? Just a little training could help you avoid fights and in the event one was unavoidable, you could scare the crap out of your opponent and end the fight almost as quickly as it starts - and you wouldn't have to hurt him.

It'll do wonders for your assertiveness and confidence.

I've been thinking about this and wanted to add. In schools and among children this kind of stuff often goes on without much consequence. In the adult world there are some people who prefer to live like that and beat on each other, but you have more choices not to participate in that kind of barbarism. You can get a restraining order against an individual who is threatening you which then escalates his crime to a much more serious offence. Not only are they threatening you but they are breaking a judges order, at least that's how it is in the USA.

Some of the stuff that is tolerated at school would not be tolerated in any reasonable kind of reasonable work or social envirnonment. Doing your best in school and going to college is probably the best way to leave that c**p behind. You deseve better and your superior social skills will be appreciated when you are among your own kind (non-neanderthals of whatever neurological status they happen to be).