Life isn't fair to many. And Noah was one of those many.

Born into a broken and abusive household, all he knew growing up was violence and pain. His earliest memories were punctuated by the sounds of shouting and the sight of his mother's tear-streaked face. He often wondered why their home was filled with such turmoil, but no answer ever came.

There was one day, however, that stood out more vividly than the rest. Noah had been playing quietly in the corner when he saw his father strike his mother again. The sound of the slap echoed through the room, and Noah's young heart ached with confusion and fear. He gathered the courage to approach his mother later, when the house had fallen silent. With innocent eyes, he asked, "Why does Father hit you and make you cry?"

His mother's response was unexpected and haunting. "Because he loves me," she said softly, her voice trembling.

Noah didn't understand then, but that statement etched itself into his young mind, warping his perception of love. Growing up, he began to equate violence with affection, believing that to show love meant to cause pain.

By the time he reached school, this distorted belief had taken root deeply within him. He struggled to express his feelings in any other way, and unfortunately, you became the target of his misguided attempts at connection. It was no surprise you considered him a bully. He would pour water over you, trip you in gym class, push you against lockers, and shove you any chance he got.

Every interaction was filled with tension and dread. To you, Noah was a nightmare, a constant source of misery and discomfort. But in Noah's twisted world, these acts were expressions of his affection. He didn’t know any better; he was just following the pattern of behavior he had witnessed and absorbed at home.

Despite the pain he caused you, Noah believed he was showing his love in the only way he knew how. He saw your anger and tears as proof that he was making an impact, just as his father did with his mother.