I 18M was in my junior year of high school. I’m not going to get into it but I ended up in the mental hospital for suicide, I had lost one of the only family members who accepted me for being gay, the only extracurricular I had was theater. The theater director treated me like the mom I never had until it came to shows at which point everyone was told how worthless we were. Not to mention I had been bullied relentlessly, being gay and in Oklahoma of all places.
I came back from the hospital medicated and ready to finish high school. Some background, I had spent my whole high school career trying to become the president of drama club. I was the only one to become inducted as a thespian as a freshman, and was practically ready to be the next president. The votes came in, and I lost. I would’ve been ok losing to my Ben (fake name) until I found out that they had been telling everyone that I was unstable, and told people I went to the mental hospital for drug abuse. I have never abused drugs, or done any drugs for that matter. What’s worse, when I confronted my theater teacher about it, she told me “everyone has a right to free speech” and then proceeded to tell me that maybe I shouldn’t have even reached out for help since this would’ve prevented my loss of the presidential race. Not to mention I had police raid my car, my locker and even my house. My parents thought I was on meth or something since police kept coming to my house. At the first police visit they quite literally busted down our front door. I even got beat up in the parking lot of my work because a known druggie didn’t believe that I didn’t have anything on me. I almost got fired from my one source of income because of this ordeal. All because he made up this lie and everyone believed it and went talking.
I was fuming, and found out the top ten colleges for this Ben, and emailed them all the screenshots of what he had said about me. His plan was to go to mostly liberal arts colleges, and had even received thousands in scholarship money. All of them rescinded their acceptance when they received the proof. Correspondence was very slow between me and the colleges (it took them forever to confirm that these screenshots weren’t doctored in any way) but by the time it had been confirmed, most of the application deadlines had passed. He hasn’t been able to get into college. I feel slightly bad as I found out his mom was a special ed teacher, and hearing this actually told Ben that when he turns 18 he will need to find a place to live on his own. He has no where to live, and no future plans.
Don’t make fun of people’s mental health, or make up lies for the purpose of winning. I haven’t talked to anyone in the theater group since. All of them considered me a druggie, and I became a pariah. I feel a little remorse but not enough.
Quick update since someone commented and I figured i’d give a quick update. That teacher is unfortunately still leading the drama department. Last I heard ben was going to community college , but idk and I don’t really keep up with whatever he’s doing. Me however, i’m killing it. College is absolutely lit, and I am about to start rehearsals for a community show and it should be great. No more revenge, just like chill vibes at nursing school.
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How does telling some kids in high school that you're on drugs result in the cops coming to your house and raiding your house.
Depending on Ben's parents "standing" in the community, it could mean a lot. You've watched movies where sometimes Southern cops are crooked? Oklahoma is bubba country, for real.
If, say, Ben's parents went to church with the chief of police, and Ben had told his parents the bullshit drug use story and they in turn told that chief? Not in all small town communities, let me be clear on that, OP being gay is already a strike. In truth, Ben probably has a drug problem and was CYHOA.
What’s CYHOA?
Covering his own ass ..... looks like I added a letter 🤦♀️
Let's say you are a cop. You start hearing people talk about someone being on drugs. Maybe you get a few police reports from teachers and kids. Maybe your own child comes home and talks about the dangerously unstable classmate doing meth.
Since Ben actively perpetuated the lie that OP was an unstable drug user to the entire school, students and teachers likely told people at home about the juicy piece of gossip. It didn't stay within the school walls
Like 1 in 5 people use drugs. Unless you thought someone was selling something.I don't think the police are going to jump on every case of someone using drugs.
not in a small town like this. its like 1 in 50 people use drugs. so once there's one word of it, its all the rage
We have police officers in school, and someone apparently reported it, more than once
The cops in the small town I went to high school in actually wore camo and painted their faces to blend in as they hid behind the trees behind the school just to catch kids smoking cigarettes. Then they busted them hard, like they caught them dealing large amounts of drugs and guns or some crap. It happened more than once. They also brought drug dogs to the school to sniff the lockers pretty regularly, and would send teens in as narcs to try to sell to the other kids in like a super obvious way to try and bust us all the time. They apparently had nothing better to do. I'm sorry that they made a mess of your life with their bs.
Edit to add: This was prior to cops being in the school all the time. We did not have a cop/resource officer back then. There were no cops in our school unless or until they were pulling things like this or were called by the school for some problem.
This was a beautiful post and I’m glad you’re doing well. Hearing that the turd who stabbed you in the back is struggling. It made my week 👍👊
I live in bf Oklahoma and can confirm the rumor mills here are disgusting. I can also confirm that the mental health system sucks ass. I'm glad you were able to get help.
As for Ben, he got what he had coming to him. I tell my grandson don't stir the shit pot if you're not willing to lick the spoon. Period.
People who've never lived in a rural state, a Bible Belt state or a small town won't understand how much petty bullshit happens in schools, among other places, that seriously damage other people's lives "because someone said xxxx". It's in these places that those rumors, even if they're found out for the lie they are, will impact people forever in said town.
OP, I accept your gayness with a huge mom hug if you want one. I hope that you get into whichever college you choose and that you bloom in life ❤️
Oh, I like that! "Don't stir the shit pot if you're not willing to lick the spoon. Period." I'm soooo using this in my near future! Great advice to OP. And I love your user name. 🤣
I lived all over Oklahoma and none of the places I lived compared to the hell of being in the rural area of Ripley/Cushing. The churches there believe women are property, people hazed and assaulted LGBTQ people like it was nothing, and rumor mills would go hard if you upset anyone and they'd make sure to drive you out of the area.
People really don't understand how terrible parts of this country are and are in disbelief when my partner talks about her religious trauma. Couldn't speak to any man that wasn't her father or husband, could cut her hair or wear pants without permission, was told she had to obey any order from the man, etc... and when she started dating me, you would have thought she burned a warehouse of puppies down with how they acted, saying women had a duty to be with men, not other women, because we were supposed to use our bodies to create more followers for their sky daddy.
Thank you 😊
Same.
This means so much to me, and don’t worry I got into my number one!
That makes me happy 😁
I also would point out that Ben being homeless would also increase his chances of becoming an addict, and probably even end up in the prison system as he racks up offenses in his addiction-fuelled haze.
What is a bible belt state? Thanks
Typically encompasses the Southern states of the US.
From Wikipedia:
"The name "Bible Belt" has been applied historically to the South and parts of the Midwest, but is more commonly identified with the South.\6]) It encompasses both the Deep South (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and most of Louisiana) and the Upland South (North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma). In a 1961 study, Wilbur Zelinsky delineated the region as the area in which Protestant denominations, especially Southern Baptist, Methodist, and evangelical, are the predominant religious affiliations.
The region also includes most of Texas and North Florida, and extends east to include most of Virginia outside of Northern Virginia. In addition, the Bible Belt covers Missouri south of the Missouri River (i.e. the Ozarks), as well as Southern Indiana and Southern Ohio along the Ohio River."
A Bible Belt state is a state in the United States where Christianity dominates everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. What schools teach, the daily schedule, advertising, lawmaking, even billboards are related to religion.
I believe maybe 20% of this, which is a fairly high score for this creative writing sub
I think you did a service to the greater community with that one.
College was a scam, he saved that guy from a bunch of useless debt really
If you ever decide down the road to move out of state, send him a letter detailing how you shared his actions with the colleges to run his life the same way he ruined yours. Let him chew on the fact that it was his own actions and not random chance that destroyed his opportunities. If he thinks it's just bad luck he won't learn a lesson.
As fun as it'd be, given how entitled "Ben" is, I fear it'd only motivate him to strike back.
We all know how hypocritical people can be, and how easily they justify their own disgusting actions...
Fuck Ben.
Life just gets better after school. You'll see.
I don't understand how the police got warrants to search your car or your house? A witness needs to testify before a judge to say they witnessed you having drugs. Not "I heard a rumor he has drugs".
Did the cops pay for the damage to the car or house? Did you get a lawyer involved in suing the person that was lying about you or the cops for harassing you?
Don’t need a warrant on school property generally
On school property no warranty is needed. But also, if you only have one witness they need to testify. If you have multiple different, unrelated, sources reporting it to the police, you can get a warrant much easier.
This story still feels fake. But not that part.
If it's a small rural town I can imagine some cops being corrupt and skipping the need for a warrant knowing they'll get away with it. That's especially if Ben's family have some influence in the town.
Heck I'm from a city and I've heard of kids getting suspended because the school governor's kid slandered them (often falsely.)
Things don't always work "according to the Law" in a Good Ol' Boys kind of small towns. That's a cold hard reality. And it's not always in the favor of Law Enforcement that things work differently. I sold books door-to-door in Roane County, TN, one summer, and I heard all manner of stories, from both citizens AND various LEO's that there were certain parts of the county I was NOT to go knocking on doors. I was told even the Police do not go into those areas without a LOT of backup, b/c it was the Locals, not the Law, who "ran those places".
Nah, don't feel bad.
In fact, rejoice that you stood up to them and fought back. Better still, you did it with some relatively minor effort.
Good job.
"Everyone has the right to free speech", but NEVER slander. "Ben" got what he deserved.
[deleted]
Reactionary and draconian views are back, they’re so in this year.
[internal screaming]
If he's willing to do that shit in high school then he will be willing to do it later on in life. Actions have consequences, and he could be unsafe for other students.
People like that deserve to have their lives destroyed. You try to destroy someone's life by spreading lies and having the police raid their homes and have their property searched. You deserve to be a deadbeat that is homeless and has no one to rely on but themselves.
You simply honestly told them what kind of a person he is! He chose to be that person in the first place!
Fantastic work! I only wish that dip shit drama teacher got some comeuppance also.
I'm sure the theater teacher would think twice about slander being 'free speech' if the rumor was about her behaving inappropriately with the kids.
He ruined your chances, you ruined his. Don't feel bad, he deserved it after causing all of that.
Good job. Well done.
Next get revenge on that horrible teacher.
Get her fired, or get her investigated for drugs.
Freedom of speech does not protect you when you commit defamation. I’m not sure if you or your parents will be able to do anything, but because you have screenshots and evidence you could take this further.
This just shows how organized and on top of things you are. You would have made a great president!
Free speech or slander?
I'm not LGBTQ but man.I can tell you having lived in oklahoma for Around 40 years, the bullying and rumor Mills are a plenty here. I actually do have mental handicaps. And I was bullied relentlessly through high school. I am so sorry you went through that.
Hey friend! I'm also an Oklahomo and I can relate heavily to this! Fuck Ben. He deserved the repercussions of his shitty actions! Cheers to you!
He fucked around and found out.
this sounds like me and my real life 💀 the theater stuff, everything. only difference is ppl think im a druggie cuz I actually am 💀🥀🙏 well done
Fake
Fuck Ben, you did the right thing and so did his mother.
Thanks a lot. Didn't realise this exists