Unlocking A New Level Of Evil
In the early days of middle school, I was the new kid on the block who was eager to make new friends. I was particularly kind to a fellow student, let’s call him Steve, who had some learning difficulties. Steve, however, mistook my friendliness as us becoming best buddies and he started clinging to me incessantly throughout school.
We shared the same classes and Steve always made sure to sit by my side. Meanwhile, I was just a naive kid, worried about appearing peculiar to others. During a recess in a history lecture, I decided to use the restroom and like always, Steve accompanied me.
I spotted a key in the lock on the exterior of the restroom block, left there by a janitor. Seeing this as a chance for some personal space, I finished my business, stepped outside and told Steve I’d wait for him, but instead, I locked him inside and hid the key. Feeling slightly relieved, I returned to class.
The restroom door had a glimpse panel, allowing everyone to observe what was going on inside. Soon, Steve’s unintended seclusion turned into a spectacle, drawing a crowd of his classmates, who erupted into laughter. After school, about three hours later, I unlocked the door and dashed home.
Looking back, the guilt weighs heavily on me, knowing that despite this horrendous trick, Steve never held it against me. He always tried to build a friendship and I wish I had been kinder to him. This one’s for you Steve, hoping you’ve found joy in your life. I’m genuinely sorry for my past actions.