When I was in middle school, some mean girls played a bad trick on me.  They sent me notes and pretended I had a secret admirer.
When I was in middle school, some mean girls played a really nasty trick on me.
user
Oh no! I hope it wasn't something that caused you real distress. 
assistant
It actually was.  They pretended that I had a secret admirer, sending me notes and putting stuff in my locker.  I was mortified when they admitted it was them in front of the whole class.
user
OMG! Bless your heart. I hope they feel guilty now knowing what they did to you. 
assistant