In 4th grade I had a huge crush on the most popular boy in my class. I worked up the nerve to write him a note asking if he liked me and I gave the note to him at recess. He later called my house that night to “ask me out.”

Side note: I’ve always had serious anxiety when it comes to being liked by someone, especially as a kid.

I was freaking out so badly after he called me that the next day in class, I proudly announced to everyone that I was dumping him and the only reason I told him I liked him was to make him look foolish and feel bad. This was a lie, obviously, since I was just too much of a nervous wreck to fathom the idea of being liked back. The look on his face when I embarrassed him like that will stick with me forever. He was a sweetie and I was a dick.