I'm 17 and a senior in high school, and I bring my Tamas with me to school every day and check on them during passing periods; IN THE WIDE OPEN.
The people who make fun of you could be jealous that they aren't brave and comfortable enough with themselves that they could bring something that they love which is not-so-cool out in the public like that, or they could just be shallow, mean people, who like to judge others before they even really have the chance to talk to them. As you go through life, you will realize that some people seem as though they only exist to put you down; but the thing is, they can only be successful if you *let* them. If you just sort of laugh them off because you KNOW that you are a stronger person than they are, and you KNOW that they have probably never felt this way and nor are they capable of loving and accepting in the way that you do, then it makes them a lot easier to deal with. I always love the quote by Dr. Seuss, "Be yourself, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."