You knew what you were doing all along. From the very moment I met you at the "Two Can" Dance, you knew what your intentions were. You didn't want me for who I am. There were warning signs the whole time, but I ignored them. You kissed me that night as well. I should've known you were just looking for a girl to play around with for a while.

I pushed away my friends who said you were bad for me and that I could do better. I thought you were the best I could do. You convinced me through every "I love you" and "I'll never leave you." I believed you. I trusted you. I should've known better. I should've known from the very first kiss. I should've known from the lack of care. You did care for a while, but eventually that faded. I should've listened to my gut when it told me not to go to the mountains with you. Ultimately, I should've listened to my friends, who were just looking out for me.

You began to distance yourself when things got bad and when I needed someone the most. You got me so mentally attached, that the absence of you tore me down. You threatened our relationship if I came home from a retreat to go to my friend's funeral. You led me to your house the day of another friend's funeral, then left me stranded outside in my car. You stranded me and called the cops on me. You made me the bad guy when in reality I was the victim of your mental and emotional abuse. Your mom even went on to shade me in the yearbook. It was no secret. Everyone could tell. Everyone knew. I may have "lost my mind," but that was because of the attachment to you that you manipulated me into having.

Here I am a year and a half later, a completely different person. You destroyed me and led me to hit rock bottom. You led me to feel completely hopeless and worthless in life. I wanted to end my life because of how you had destroyed me. I went into therapy and took a month off of school. It just wasn't fair that I had to sign a paper agreeing to stay away from you when it should've been the opposite. It just shows how you got away with it, and you know exactly what I'm talking about. You should've never gotten away.

Even though you destroyed me, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for leading me to the point in life where I see my true value. You led me to the point in life where I had to find self-love. You helped me learn that what's most important in life is to depend on myself to be happy. I need to be my own source of happiness. I want to thank you for making me realize that I deserve better in my life. I deserve someone who's kind, caring, patient, loving, and invested in the relationship because they love me for who I am. Thank you for helping me develop new skills to find better friends. Also, for teaching me to trust the opinions of others that care about me when it comes to what is best for me. Thank you for teaching me that I am strong and I can make it through anything and everything life throws at me.