The Day I Denied a Mean Girl Bouncy Balls—and Savored Every Second
We all have that one memory from childhood—the seemingly trivial moment that, for some reason, sticks with us far longer than the name of our eighth-grade math teacher. Sometimes it’s a little triumph, a flash of justice, or perhaps a tiny, gleeful act of pettiness. For Reddit user u/SaplingTheTree, that moment involved a bag full of bouncy balls and a mean girl who didn’t get what she wanted.
This story, as shared on r/PettyRevenge, is a masterclass in the art of subtle payback. No drama, no confrontation—just the quiet satisfaction of a long-awaited “no.” Let’s bounce right in.
The Setting: Skates, Shenanigans, and Spheres of Justice
Middle school: a battleground of awkwardness, hormones, and social hierarchies enforced by the likes of “that mean girl.” Our protagonist wasn’t bullied, per se, but endured enough snarky comments and casual coldness to foster a simmering dislike. So, when the end-of-year field trip rolled around—a pilgrimage to the local skating rink—little did anyone know that fate (and a few rolls of quarters) would provide the perfect stage for some low-key, high-satisfaction revenge.
Picture it: a skating rink equipped not just with neon lights and blaring pop music, but with a wall lined with those magical quarter machines. You know the ones—their swirling colors and mysterious treasures beckoning every kid with spare change. On this particular trip, bouncy balls were the coveted prize, and some kids decided to go all in, feeding quarters into the machines like tiny Vegas high rollers. The result? A veritable bounty of bouncy balls, enough to require Ziploc bags for transport. (If you’ve never experienced the joy of hoarding contraband bouncy balls, did you even go to middle school?)
The Ask: Mean Girl Meets Her Match
Cut to the bus ride home. Our narrator, clutching a Ziploc bag brimming with bouncy balls, is suddenly approached by none other than the mean girl herself. Her request? Simple: “Can I have a couple?”
Now, this is the moment that divides the peacemakers from the petty. Many among us would have caved, eager to avoid conflict or curry favor. But not today. With a simple, firm refusal, our hero drew a line in the sand—a line made entirely of rubber spheres.
The best part? The mean girl’s reaction. Annoyed. Miffed. Denied. Our protagonist didn’t gloat or taunt, but oh, did they savor the moment. That brief flicker of irritation? The sound of subtle, karmic justice.
Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Absolutely.
Let’s be honest: childhood doesn’t always offer us grand opportunities for retribution. Sometimes, the most we can hope for is a fleeting moment of control in a world ruled by popularity, cliques, and cafeteria politics. Was denying a bouncy ball to a mildly mean girl the moral equivalent of toppling a tyrant? Of course not. But in the microcosm of middle school, it felt pretty darn close.
There’s something universally relatable about this. Who among us hasn’t relished a minor act of pettiness, especially when it comes to someone who’s dished out their fair share of snark? It’s the kind of story that makes you smile and think, “Yes, I, too, have held onto a memory like that.”
Why These Little Victories Matter
What’s fascinating is how these small acts stick with us. While the mean girl almost certainly forgot about her failed bouncy ball heist, u/SaplingTheTree remembers it vividly—and fondly. It’s a reminder that sometimes, standing your ground, even in a tiny way, can leave a lasting impression.
Maybe it’s not about the bouncy balls at all. Maybe it’s about reclaiming a sliver of power in a world where you often feel powerless. Or maybe it’s just about the sweet, sweet taste of saying “no” to someone who always seemed to get their way.
Your Turn: What’s Your Petty Victory?
So, dear reader, what’s your version of the bouncy ball story? Did you ever savor a tiny, harmless act of revenge? Share your tales in the comments below—because sometimes, it’s the little victories that bounce around in our memories the longest.
And to all the mean girls (and boys) out there: sometimes, karma comes in the form of a denied bouncy ball.
Original Reddit Post: Many years ago, denying a mean girl some bouncy balls when she asked.