Dear High School,

Your reputation preceded you. When I was young, I heard all about you and wanted nothing more than for us to meet. Apparently, you were the whole package. People told me how easy it was to fall in love with you and I was ready to see for myself.

As it turns out, they were right. I did fall in love with you. From the very first moment, I was wooed by your charisma—your ability to make me feel as if I was the only one for you. I felt like I was on top of the world, spending five days a week in your arms. You were everything I wanted in a partner: attractive, intellectually stimulating, quirky, dynamic, and constant. We had some good times and I will always remember how I spent Friday nights wearing your sweatshirt, cheering at the top of my lungs because I was so proud to be yours. There are moments like these from the past four years that I will forever cherish.

But lately, you have been a little too much for me. It’s like all of the sudden, I am realizing that maybe, we weren’t meant to be. For starters, you have become a bit clingy. Not only do you ring my phone like a bell more than 10 times a day just to remind me that you are here, but you even follow me home! I mean, you’re already so demanding when we are together, but then I get home and feel obligated to solve all of your problems. And what is it with you testing me recently? Our first two years together, you seemed pretty secure in yourself, but ever since last year, it’s like you constantly feel the need to quiz me to make sure I am still committed to you. Frankly, I’m done with you comparing me to how other girls land on your scale. Why can’t I be enough for you just as I am? I am tired of pushing myself to work harder when your definition of “better” is different than mine.  

It seems as though being with you is not all it was cracked up to be. Throughout our relationship, people have set my expectations for you too high. One thing I keep hearing is that “High School will be the best time of your life.” Is that really true?  If the best time of my entire life can be pinpointed to this relationship, I pity what the rest of it has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, my times with you have been wonderful, but I just don’t think that the epitome of existence falls within adolescence alone.

Another thing I keep hearing is “High School is your peak.” I’ve been told that it all goes down from here—that I will never be as good without you as I am with you. First of all, I refuse to allow myself the option of peaking so young. My relationship with you will not be the defining factor in my life, nor will it be something I chase for years to come. Yes, I can be grateful for our time together, but I will not live my life wishing I could have it all again.

Hopefully, you see where this is going. I don’t hate you—in fact, I still love you. However, I just can’t see a future together. Between your clinginess and your unfulfilled expectations, I am ready to be done with you. I figured it would be better to end it now, that way I don’t have to worry about dragging you along to college with me. After all, I think it’s time we go our separate ways.

Regretfully,

Your High School Senior

P.S. It’s not me, it’s you.

Photo Credit: Wordswag