I Ran into my High School Bully
I felt beads of sweat trickle down my back. I know that voice, but from where? Oh no… please don’t let it be her.
Well, one of them. I can tell you loads of tales because I had several adversaries in my teens. For now I will tell you about my run-in with the girl (or should I say fiend) who made me cry at least half a dozen times.
New York City, COVID Era
I finally graduated college with a demanding computer science degree. What did I first spend my paycheck on? A Max Mara coat, of course. I also spent a decent sum enhancing my appearance, attempting to transform into a hot telenovela actress. I was to celebrate with my dear friend Leah, also a computer science graduate, at the Central Park skating rink.
It was frigid and my costly Max Mara coat had not been enough keep me warm as I walked through the trees and icy concrete to find the rink. As I waited for Leah I heard a loud, frightening, and familiar voice.
“IF YOU WANT TO ICE SKATE, YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THE COVID HEALTH FORM FIRST. PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE HERE!” ‘
I had been freezing my nips off for several minutes — and yet I was instantly sweating through my cashmere turtleneck. I felt wet bullets trickle down my back. I know that voice, but from where? Oh no… please don’t let it be her.
I attempted to slow my breathing as my upper lip was also getting covered in beads of sweat. Thank goodness we all had to wear masks. She was approaching my section of the line. Through her mask and Central Park uniform, she looked exactly as I remembered. Huge brown, bulging eyes and built like a line-backer. Her presence was just frightening as in high school. In that moment I was 15 again.
There was no denying that we knew. “Katie! Hi, it’s Victoria! We went to high school together!” I said cheerfully-yet-nervously. I was afraid she was going to punch me as she had threatened a few times over a decade ago.
Through her mask I could see her smugly grinning as she said, “Hmm, yes. I remember YOU. Okay love, please fill out this form if you want to skate.” I thanked her and she was on her way. I think I really wanted to thank her for never having punched me. I shuddered as she walked back to the ticket stand — thank goodness for my strong stomach.
High school was over but I might as well had been put into a time machine.
The skating did me good to occupy my mind. Almost as soon as I finished my father called me. Impeccable timing! His take: “Victoria, God brought you in close proximity to your enemy as a form of justice. Justice was served here. You’re the winner.”
I didn’t feel as if I had won anything. My wish was to never see such terrible people again, and there she was.
I later met my best friend at the Carlyle and recounted this story. She could not hold back her laughter. In this quiet and dignified dining room the guests stared wide-eyed as she exclaimed, “Victoria, she is a SKATING RINK TICKET SELLER?!! Ahahahahahaaaaaa. This is something out of a movie!!! Revenge, bitch!”
I didn’t understand why I couldn’t adopt my father’s and BFF’s view on this. I wish I could laugh it off. I wish I could say “Karma is a bitch, I am hot and successful. Sucks for you Katie!”
Sadly there was a part of me that had not healed from that era. My mother says that I have trouble letting go. And yet these morons have moved on with their lives. They don’t care! Yet I remained stuck in the mind of a frightened teenager. Would I stay here forever?
Miami Beach, June 2023
It is the 10 year anniversary of my high school graduation. All this time I have been free of the monsters who threw honey in my hair. No more fear.
It is time to let go.
