Ive just read Jessenia Weeks http://lovinglife-jessenia.blogspot.com/  about the book she is reading the skin im in and in response i feel the reason the main character isn't responding to any of the bullying because she scared it is going to get physical we she says hurtful things back it like throwing gas on a open fire.Many times when children are bullied and they respond the problem gets worse so that is why the main character probably doesn't want to retaliate on the situation