When Jen matches with her high school bully on a dating site, she relives the trauma of her childhood. But still, she goes on the date—as a way of getting revenge for how she was treated. The date ends up being a bust, and Jen doesn’t get what she intended, so she plans a second meeting…
I sat at the bar, pretending to be absorbed in my phone as the door swung open and my date walked in. After meeting on a dating app, Justin and I had decided that it was finally time to meet.
Except that Justin and I had met before—just that he didn’t remember it.
A person using her phone | Source: Unsplash
As he walked in, the familiar jolt of recognition shot through me, but on his face, there was only the casual scan of a man on the lookout for someone who could have been anyone but the girl he once tormented. As he approached, his smile was confident, practiced.
I steeled myself, reminding my racing heart of its role tonight—a new woman, who just wanted revenge.
A smiling man | Source: Unsplash
“Hey, Jen,” he said, sliding into the seat beside me, unaware of the storm he was walking into. “I hope I’m not too late?”
“Not at all,” I replied, my voice steady and sweet. “I was just enjoying the vibe here. This place has changed since the last time I was around.”
People sitting at a bar | Source: Pexels
When we had matched on the app, I was convinced that Justin wouldn’t be able to recognize me. Since high school, I had drastically changed—everything from my hair, my weight, and my sense of style.
I was a new person.
“Yeah, it’s got a good crowd tonight,” Justin nodded, waving over a bartender. “Can I get you a drink now?”
People sitting at a bar | Source: Pexels
I watched him closely—he had barely changed since the last time I saw him. It had been our high school graduation, followed by a party in an open field. Justin had barely glanced at me. He didn’t register that I was someone who had been attracted to him.
Then, not now.
A group of graduates | Source: Pexels
When we matched, I wasn’t interested in Justin—but after I spoke to my sister, we both thought that messing with Justin would be healing in some way.
“Sure, a gin and tonic, thank you,” I said, watching his face for any sign of recognition. There was none. It was clear as he saw me—I was just another date. Just another woman that he had picked up.
A cocktail with strawberries | Source: Pexels
As he chatted about his job and recent travels, I nodded along, my mind racing ahead to the plan unfolding around us. The bar was filling up quickly.
Justin continued to speak, and I began to space out—remembering moments from high school.
Students hanging out together | Source: Pexels
Like the one time when the dull echo of my footsteps in the empty high school corridor seemed louder than usual, reverberating off the lockers with a metallic chill.
I clutched my books tightly to my chest, my eyes downcast, trying to make myself invisible. The memory of Justin’s harsh laughter from earlier that day still stung, a cruel reminder of my daily ordeal.
A close-up of lockers | Source: Pexels
As I turned the corner, I could hear the muffled sounds of other students, their voices light and carefree. I approached the bathroom, a temporary refuge where I could gather myself away from prying eyes and sharp tongues.
I could never eat in the cafeteria. They would all look at me and laugh.
Meals on trays | Source: Unsplash
I remember pushing the bathroom door open, the familiar scent of industrial cleaner mixed with a hint of floral air freshener greeted me. I checked the stalls quickly—empty—and allowed myself a moment to lean against the cool tile wall, exhaling slowly.
The tears came then, quietly at first, then with a shuddering force I couldn’t contain. It wasn’t just the words that Justin had hurled at me—it was the relentless, grinding down of my spirit, day after day.
A bathroom stall | Source: Unsplash
Bringing me back to the present, Justin asked if I wanted to leave the bar after our drink and get something to eat at the many food stalls outside. Younger me would never, but I was different now.
As he asked for the bill, Justin began to hound the waitress.
A couple drinking at the bar | Source: Pexels
“I need you to hurry up,” he told her. “We’ve got places to be and you’re just taking up my time. Could you do your job any slower?”
She blinked back tears and went to get the bill.
“My ex-girlfriend was just like that,” he said, turning to me. “Her eyes would well up whenever I said anything.”
A smiling waitress | Source: Unsplash
The evening ended with me leaving Justin outside the bar, claiming that I had a headache and needed to sleep it off.
I was disappointed that I didn’t get my revenge.
At home, I sat with my laptop in bed and decided to take another shot at having my revenge against Justin. I logged onto Facebook and created an event—adding everyone who had gone to high school with us.
A person using their laptop in bed | Source: Pexels
I planned the reunion, making the bar that I had just left the location for our meeting. When the event was created, many of my ex-classmates indicated that they would be there—there were many shares and by the next morning, the number of people attending had grown.
A laptop opened to Facebook | Source: Pexels
On the day of the reunion, I spent a while getting dressed. This was a big moment. This was for everyone to see that I was the best version of myself—and that I was confident in my own skin.
At the bar, I went straight to the bartender and made sure that the bill would be sent to Justin at the end of the evening, giving his name and number.
A woman doing her make up | Source: Pexels
After a while, Justin came up to me with a big grin on his face.
“You seem different, have we met before?” he asked, slurping his drink.
He didn’t even have the decency to remember me from drinks the previous week.
The irony of his words almost made me laugh, but I kept my composure.
A person holding a glass | Source: Pexels
“I get that a lot,” I deflected. “Maybe I just have one of those faces.”
Justin laughed, shrugging as he turned to signal the bartender for another round.
“But you do know me,” I said. “You really haven’t changed, have you, Justin?”
“What do you mean?”
A couple talking | Source: Pexels
“Just that you’ve always had this way of making people feel less,” I pressed on, my resolve hardening with each word. “Like how you talk to the waitress, or how you joked about your ex the other night.”
Justin’s face hardened when he realized who I was—but still, I was merely the girl from the dating app, not the one who had been bullied by him before.
A person holding her phone | Source: Pexels
“What? Oh! Jen!” he said, his face contorting.
“Do you remember Jennifer from high school?” I asked loudly, hoping that people would be listening. “The girl that you tormented. The girl that you made sure knew how different she was from everyone else. That she didn’t fit your cruel standards.”
His face went pale, his eyes widening as realization dawned, connecting the past with the present.
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
“I’m that Jennifer,” I said. “And tonight, I wanted you to see exactly who I have become, despite your best efforts to break me down.”
Justin stood up, his mouth opening and closing, searching for something to say but finding nothing. Around us, the expressions from our classmates ranged from shock to support, their eyes fixed on us.
A surprised woman | Source: Unsplash
“I hope one day you’ll understand the weight of your words, how deeply they can cut,” I said.
Turning on my heel, I left him standing there stupidly, the bill for the drinks being the least of his worries.
Finally, I had done it.
A person holding a receipt | Source: Pexels
What would you have done?
What is that girl wondering about
Have you ever walked past someone and suddenly fixated on their outfit, thinking, I need that shirt!? That’s exactly what’s happening in this viral moment. A young woman glances at another person’s outfit, her expression shifting from curiosity to quiet contemplation. But what’s really going on in her mind? The answer is simple—she admires the shirt but feels too embarrassed to ask where to buy it.
The Fashion Envy Phenomenon
Fashion envy is real. You see someone effortlessly rocking an outfit, and suddenly, you want to know every detail—where they got it, how much it cost, and if it comes in other colors. It’s not just about clothing; it’s about the feeling it creates.
That girl in the viral image isn’t judging. She’s admiring. She’s caught in the internal struggle of admiration versus hesitation. Should she ask about the shirt? Will it seem awkward? We’ve all been there.
Why Do We Hesitate to Ask About Fashion?
There are plenty of reasons why people hesitate to compliment or inquire about someone’s outfit:
- Fear of Awkwardness: Some worry they’ll sound intrusive or odd.
- Social Anxiety: Speaking up to a stranger can feel intimidating.
- Fear of Judgment: People overthink how their curiosity might be perceived.
- Personal Pride: Some want to find the piece themselves, believing it’s a fashion “challenge.”
But guess what? Most people love sharing where they got their clothes—especially if it’s a trendy or unique find.
How to Ask Someone About Their Outfit Without Feeling Awkward
If you’ve ever hesitated to ask someone where they got their outfit, here’s how to do it confidently:
1. Lead with a Compliment
Instead of a plain Where did you get that?, start with I love your shirt! A compliment softens the approach and makes it feel natural.
2. Keep It Short and Sweet
You don’t need an elaborate explanation—just ask casually:
- That top is amazing! Mind if I ask where you got it?
- I love your style! Is that from a local shop or online?
3. Choose the Right Moment
If they’re in a hurry or distracted, they might not respond well. Catch them in a relaxed setting, like waiting in line or casually browsing.
4. Use Social Media as a Backup
If asking in person feels too much, look up similar styles online. Instagram and Pinterest are goldmines for finding outfit inspiration and even direct links to the exact pieces.
The Power of Fashion Influence
What we wear speaks volumes about who we are. Seeing someone wear a specific outfit can trigger inspiration, nostalgia, or even a shift in personal style.
This is why fashion trends spread so quickly. One influencer posts a unique piece, and suddenly, it’s a global trend. That girl in the image? She’s not just staring—she’s processing, mentally bookmarking the style for her next shopping trip.
When Admiration Turns Into Fashion Copying
Liking someone’s outfit is one thing, but copying it exactly? That’s where personal style comes in. Here’s how to get inspired without losing originality:
- Find Similar Styles: If you love a specific design, look for variations that fit your personality.
- Mix and Match: Instead of copying the whole look, incorporate elements into your existing wardrobe.
- Add a Personal Touch: Accessories, layering, and color choices make an outfit your own.
Fashion isn’t just about wearing clothes; it’s about expressing yourself. Taking inspiration is great—just make it your own.
Overcoming the Fear of Asking
If you love something, ask about it. Most people don’t mind sharing, and many are flattered that someone admires their style.
The girl in the image might never ask, and that’s okay. But next time you see someone wearing your dream outfit, don’t hesitate—speak up, compliment them, and get the details.
You never know, you might just make their day in the process.
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