Stephanie was sixteen when she met Stanley. She had always imagined that her first love would be something beautiful—someone who would make her feel safe, valued, and special. So when Stanley entered her life, she quickly became attached to him. Stanley was twenty, four years older than Stephanie. She knew there was a difference between them, but she was young and inexperienced, and she believed that love could overcome everything. Stanley became her first boyfriend, and Stephanie fell deeply in love with him. At first, everything seemed exciting. She enjoyed talking to him and spending time with him. He helped her with some of the things she needed, and because of that, she began depending on him. But things changed when Stanley began wanting a physical relationship that Stephanie wasn't ready for. The first time he tried to pressure her, Stephanie refused. Stanley became angry. His reaction frightened her, but because she loved him, she couldn't bear the thought of losing him. She eventually told herself that perhaps the next time they met, she would agree. She didn't realize that this was the beginning of a relationship that would change her life. When they met again, Stephanie made a decision she wasn't emotionally prepared for. Afterwards, she returned home feeling confused. She had imagined that being closer to Stanley would make their relationship stronger, but instead, she found herself questioning everything. She lay on her bed that night, thinking about how quickly things had changed. "Is this really what love is supposed to feel like?" she wondered. Stanley continued wanting more from her, and Stephanie became increasingly afraid that if she refused him, he would leave. Then his attitude toward her began changing. Sometimes he was loving, and other times he became distant and cold. Stephanie couldn't understand what she had done wrong. She became terrified of losing him. Stanley didn't provide everything she needed, but he helped her with many things, and Stephanie had become emotionally dependent on him. She began believing that keeping him in her life was more important than listening to her own feelings. She started making decisions because she was afraid of being abandoned. Eventually, Stephanie began thinking that if she could somehow make Stanley permanently committed to her, he would never leave. She even started imagining that having a baby with him might make him stay. She didn't understand yet that a baby could never guarantee someone's love. And that was when Stephanie's life began moving toward a future she had never imagined. She was sixteen. She thought she had found love. She thought she was protecting her relationship. She didn't know that one of the biggest lessons of her teenage years was about to begin. Sometimes, the worst mistake isn't loving the wrong person. Sometimes, it's losing yourself while trying to make the wrong person stay.

The first time I saw him I already know his face . That was the strangest part of it . We've never met before.that was what I believed. It was Monday morning, and the school environment was louder than usual.pupils rushed from one classroom to another, laughing and shouting while some were complaining about early morning assembly. I stood beside my friend Esther holding my books against my chest. Esther said what are you staring at I rolled my eyes.i'm tired ". You've been tired for two weeks what's wrong. I didn't answer cause I don't know how to explain to her that I've been dreaming about the same boy every night? A boy with dark hair ocean colour eyes and a small scar above his right eyebrow. A boy who always looked at me as if I had broken his heart And anytime I tried asking who he was,he will say the same thing. "You promised you wouldn't forget me . The bell rang. Esther grabbed my arm ."come on ' We hurried Into class. Then our teacher walked in few minutes later with a new student. Everyone settled down the class became quite as a grave yard . Then the teacher said, this is your new classmate. He recently moved here,so I expect everyone to make him feel welcome . The boy stepped forward .My heart stopped beating then I remembered the boy in my dream he was the exact person I saw in my dream, same hair, same eyes and same scar in his right eyebrow. The classroom suddenly felt too small . He looked at everyone then his eyes found mine .He froze. For several minutes, neither of us moved and then something weird happened that frightened me more than the dreams ever had . His expression changed Not confusion Not surprise But recognition He knew me. Smith . The name echoed inside my head I had never heard it before yet somehow it felt familiar He walked pass my desk without saying anything. As he sat down,I noticed his hand trembling. Esther leaned toward me. Okay "she whispered."why is the new boy looking at you like that. I don't know " But I did . Or at least part of me did . At lunch, I tried to forget about him But I couldn't. Esther and I sat beneath a tree in the school courtyard. So Esther said to me opening her drink. "Are you going to tell me why you looked like you'd seen a ghost this morning? I've never seen him before "That doesn't explain anything" I know ". Esther studied me. Are you hiding something from me . I sighed. I've been having dreams She looked at me about Smith? I nodded. *Before today?". Yes Esther Her smile disappeared "What kind of dreams ?. I hesitated. I've been having dreams of me and him standing under a tree together. He tells me that I promised not to forget him " Esther stared at me That's really weird. I know " Maybe. you've seen him somewhere before." Maybe? I wanted to believe that But then a voice came from behind us. I turned. Smith stood there. Esther Immediately look at the both of us . "How long have you been standing there? Long enough. I stood up You heard everything. Yes My heart began beating faster He stared at me Yes The answer came so quickly that I almost stepped backward How He looked away. You wouldn't remember " "Remember what" He didn't answer I moved closer. "Smith " He looked at me You need to stay away from me My stomach tightened But why It doesn't matter Before I could ask what he meant be walked away. Esther stared at the both of us What's going on I don't know But that night, my dreams changed. I was standing under the old tree again But this time,I wasn't alone . A little girl stood beside me. She had my face . I watch her turn. Smith . But that wasn't the Smith I knew He was younger Maybe seven The little boy smiled and held something for her A small gold necklace I promise I'll find you," he said . The little girl smiled. "You better do " Then something changed There was shouting A car horn. Rain . The sound of glass breaking The little girl was crying. The boy was screaming her name Then darkness appeared. I woke up screaming My mother heard the scream and rushed into my room. What's wrong I was shaking. I remember something What ? I didn't know how to explain it to her . I think" I know Smith when I was little My mother became completely still For a second, something passed across her face and I knew it was fear Then she forced a smile You've probably just had a bad dream " Mom Go back to sleep " She left before I could even say anything The next morning I searched through the old photo boxes in our storage room. I didn't even know what I was looking for . I just knew I need answers about my dream. After hours of searching, I found an old photograph . Two children stood under a large tree. The girl was me . The boy was Smith. On the back of the photograph were four words. Forever, no matter what My hands began trembling with fear on my face . The next day I found Smith after school. He was standing alone near the school entrance. I held the photograph in front of him His face went paleTh