From Bullied to Bold: How One Student Served Petty Revenge to a Long-Time Tormentor
High school is supposed to be a time of awkward crushes, bad haircuts, and questionable fashion choices—not a battlefield where surviving the day is a win. For u/punk-o-matic-problem, however, high school was less coming-of-age comedy and more survival horror. Growing up under the poverty line, with abusive parents and a queerness that made them "different," our narrator became the prime target for relentless bullying. But this isn’t just a story about pain—it's about how, after years of torment, they finally turned the tables in a moment of beautifully petty revenge.
If you’ve ever wished for a satisfying comeback to a childhood bully, buckle up—because this tale is as cathartic as it is entertaining.
Bullied, Bruised, and Brilliant
Let’s set the stage: Imagine walking the halls in thrift store clothes, hoping to become invisible, but instead attracting the full attention of the school’s Queen Bee of Cruelty—“L” (short for Loser, as our storyteller hilariously dubs her). L wasn’t your run-of-the-mill mean girl; she was ringleader of a relentless campaign that included everything from vicious name-calling and physical assaults to weaponized rumors and horrifying humiliation. The list of offenses reads more like a villain’s rap sheet: beatings at recess, public shaming, sexual harassment, and even being sprayed down with air freshener by a teacher in front of the class. (Yes, you read that right. If you ever doubted how grim some public schools can be, doubt no more.)
But even in this darkness, our narrator found a spark of resilience. Years of enduring abuse (and learning to survive at home) forged a sharp wit and a capacity for stealth. And eventually, the opportunity for some sweet revenge presented itself.
Petty Revenge, High School Edition
It all started in 10th grade during “reading period.” The teacher stepped out, and our narrator took the teacher’s chair—standard enough. Then L, ever the performer, decided to take a jab by writing “dyke” across the smartboard for everyone to see. The class laughed, but instead of shrinking, our hero struck back. Using the teacher’s computer mouse, they typed out: “at least I’m not a slut!”—a pointed jab at L’s reputation. The room erupted—this time at L’s expense. She turned beet-red, erased the board, and sat down, humiliated. The teacher, who had seen the whole thing, smirked in the doorway. For once, the crowd was on the bullied kid’s side.
But why stop there? Emboldened, our narrator began anonymously scrawling L’s name and some spicy rumors in bathroom stalls, signing them with their then-alias “Max.” Word spread, L started to panic, and suspicion never landed on the real culprit. Even when teachers and the principal set up a “stall watch” to catch the vandal, our narrator’s well-honed survival skills kept them above suspicion. They even got assigned to monitor the bathrooms—talk about hiding in plain sight!
More Than Just Petty: Why This Story Resonates
Sure, writing on bathroom walls isn’t exactly the moral high ground. But let’s get real—when you’ve spent your whole school career as everyone’s punching bag, getting a taste of poetic justice feels pretty darn good. Our narrator’s revenge wasn’t just about getting back at L; it was about reclaiming a sense of agency, even if only for a fleeting moment.
This story isn’t just a satisfying comeuppance for a cartoonishly evil bully. It’s a reminder of the resilience that can grow in the cracks, and the tiny victories that help battered spirits survive. It also throws a harsh spotlight on the failings of certain school systems—not just in allowing bullying to fester, but in how they sometimes enable it (here’s looking at you, air-freshener-spraying teacher).
The Last Laugh
The best part? Our narrator wishes they’d been even more chaotic in their rebellion. After years of silence, that little taste of power was everything. It didn’t erase the trauma, but it offered a well-deserved moment where the tables turned and the bully had to squirm.
So, if you ever find yourself haunted by memories of that one class tormentor, remember: sometimes the best revenge is living well—but a dash of petty payback can be deliciously therapeutic, too.
What about you? Have you ever served up your own slice of petty revenge? Share your stories in the comments—let’s swap some war stories and celebrate those tiny victories together!
Inspired by the original post: Long term bully gets embarrassed from r/PettyRevenge.
Original Reddit Post: Long term bully gets embarrassed