Dear Alma Mater

You gave me this sickening feeling in my gut, a pain in my chest, and insecurities throughout my 4 years walking your halls. You gifted me with people who made me uncomfortable with myself.

My first year with you I thought was exciting. You introduced me to many new people who I thought would be life-long friends. You introduced me to a guy I really, really liked. You showed me what a bad math teacher really is.

My second year with you didn't impress me much. I had never been excited for you to ring your dismissal bell so I could leave you, with your horrid smell, horrid memories, and even more horrid people. You didn't have all bad people, though. This was this year you introduced me to someone who became a best friend to me. But that's about all the good you did.

My third year with you was the worst. You did reveal to me how fake people could be and how these people didn't matter in the long run. I just needed them to get through with high school. You did show me, though, how unprepared for college I was. You gave me senioritis before I was even a senior.

My fourth year with you was full of misery. I was glad that it was my last year surrounded by your people who showed me that watching Netflix in my favorite teacher's class was the best way to spend our last year together. Once May came closer and closer, my anxiety lessened because I knew that I would be done with you forever. When I left, I cried tears of happiness.

Alma Mater, I'm happier than ever right now. Thank you for showing me what a horrible 4-year relationship looks like. I hate you that you have my little brother entangled in your web of lies, deceit, and stuck-up snobs. Now he wants to follow in his sister's footsteps and get away from you and your people.

I'm succeeding in college, no thanks to you. You did give me the best chicken biscuits, sweet tea, and a great friend in one of your teachers. But that's all. You showed me where not to send my future kids, where not to teach at one day, and where not to visit when I'm lonely.

They say cherish those high school days. Well, Alma Mater, I hate you. I don't cherish you. You drove me over a cliff but sometimes I have to climb up that cliff to visit you every once-in-a-while, but just to visit that teacher I miss or pick up my brother from your prison gates. I don't set step inside the gates of Hades for football games or to visit friends.

Sometimes I see your people walking my college campus or in town. Sometimes we speak but other times we act like we don't recognize each other. And we don't. Because you molded them one way and you molded me this way.

The old me can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, because you killed her.

Sincerely

A Girl Whose Glad She's Out Of That 4 Year Relationship