To you,

Do you remember the day when you stole my glasses and ran into the boys bathroom with them? I remember walking down a hall I couldn't see, frantically trying to find my classroom as you refused to give me back my sight. I was humiliated, ashamed, and angry that anyone could embarrass me so much.

Do you remember the all the times you made fun of my low voice and called me names? Do you remember how many other boys heard you and joined in? I do.

But this letter isn't about looking back on the horrors of middle school...it's about letting you know what it's like to be on the other side. I'm sure you don't realize how much you put me down over so many years. I'm sure you don't know how many times you made me cry or feel bad about myself.

I bet you don't know that you were a bully.

There are two ways I could write this letter. I could thank you, for making me realize after four years of torment that I don't have to give a damn about what you think of me. I could thank you for helping me realize how to be a strong, confident individual. But why should I give you so much credit?

Or, I can tell you that I'm still angry. That I hate the fact that, from 5th grade to high school, we had classes together almost every year. That I hate the fact that even today, seeing you makes me cringe. That you are not the reason for my confidence (but certainly have influenced the times when I've had a lack of it).

I don't owe you anything for helping me "build character" or "toughen up." That's not what bullying does to a person. I gained my confidence in spite of you, not because of you. And chances are, you don't realize any of this.

So this is my way of Taylor Swift-ing you and telling you that nobody should have to put up with how mean someone like you can be and that yes, I still hold a grudge to this day.

And I guess it's time you knew about it.