Not related to twitter posts or facebook posts in the slightest.

I met a girl who is a bossy, perfectionist, know-it-all preteen.

You probably know those types.

I don't blame anyone for disliking them. I mean, really. When you get away from them after being bossed around for awhile... you feel like exploding.

God, do I know that feeling.

But still...

What kills me is how much of who I was at 13 I see in her.

Insecure.

Bossy.

Know-It-All.

Annoying.

Completely lacking all confidence except in the things I knew about: politics, english, autism.

And taking out all of my anger on those around me by acting like I knew everything.

Like that would make me any closer to being "equal" to them.

So I always thought myself slightly better: more mature, more responsible.

I knew things I probably shouldn't have known for someone that age.

I'd seen things I probably shouldn't have seen.

I was pissed off, sad, scared, and I abhorred myself.

I didn't have any friends.

I talked to people who were much older than me, acting like an equal because I wasn't treated like one by my peers.

So... whenever I see her, I just want to cry. I know her look. I know what goes through her head. Because it all went through mine at that age too.

So if you ever happen to meet a preteen like this... try to feel a bit of compassion: she probably dislikes herself even more than you dislike her.

And being cruel or mean to her may just cut wounds that take years to heal.

I know I'm still recovering.