Dear Boy Who Changed Me,

I used to be a really happy person. I always saw the bright side of things, always had a legitimate smile on my face. My anxiety was not as bad as it was after I was with you. You completely changed who I am.

I fell head-over-heels for you when we started talking. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest when we started dating. I thought that I had finally found a good guy who I was going to be with for the rest of my life, even if I was only just a sophomore in high school and we lived thousands of miles away from one another. We skyped whenever possible, and talked on the phone or texted almost every day.

Eight months went by and I kept up the happy facade, but behind the scenes, it was not as great as people thought it was. I was being abused by you, emotionally and mentally. I, unfortunately, did not realize it was happening until it was too late.

Once I finally opened my eyes to what was really going on, I ended it with us. Unfortunately, the scars you left were already there. You also continued to keep your control over me, making me bend to your every will. And I did it. I was afraid of you, afraid of what you were capable of doing.

You made many threats against me and I believed you. I was very fearful for my life. Afraid that every car that was strange to me was out to get me, or that there was someone who was going to hurt me around every corner.

Because of you, I have a heightened anxiety and depression. I am afraid to talk to anyone who is not already close or familiar to me. I put myself down all the time, feeling as though I am not good enough, that everything bad that happens is my fault. There are days where I just want to curl up in bed and cry. Just when I thought I was down so deep that I would never get back up, there was a light of hope that shone for me.

I found a new challenge to overcome, another hurtle to jump over. You have changed me, there is no doubt about that, but it was not for the worst. It was for the better. I do have trouble dealing with my anxiety and depression, but I do not see it as you ruining my life.

You made me open my eyes to how cruel people can be. You changed who I am, but not for the worse, but for the better. Also, I forgive you. As much as I dislike you for who you are and what you have done, I forgive you for what you've done.

Thank you for opening my eyes,

The girl who became a better person.