𝐼 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑦𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 [𝑬𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈]

chapter one

Authors note: I had to rewrite the story because I was far too young when I wrote this and it felt quite embarrassing 🤓☝️I'm going to rewrite it, it's under construction now!:) ❤️

anyways enjoy!

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"I'm truly happy to be here today, surrounded by so many bright and friendly faces in the crowd, especially all of you amazing graduates. This past year has certainly been a long and difficult journey, but with the help of the right people and a positive mindset, I've made it through. I want to take a moment to thank my teachers and everyone who supported me along the way. I greatly appreciate my friends, as I wouldn't have reached this point without you. My parents have also played a significant role in my growth, helping me become stronger and reminding me to stand up for what matters to me. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my girlfriend, Anna. Meeting you has been a highlight of my year. Your encouragement has inspired me to be a better man, and I hope to bring you as much happiness as you have given me. These past four years have been incredible, and I truly mean that when I say how much I appreciate this journey we've shared."

As I sit in the audience, overwhelmed by the crowd, my heart races with excitement and a bit of nervousness. Standing on stage is Alejandro Gonzales, my handsome boyfriend, wearing his cap and gown. He has a warm smile on his face, and I can feel his gaze on me as he shares his thoughts with everyone. I know that his genuine charm could easily capture the crowd's attention, but truth be told, I sometimes feel a hint of envy at how effortlessly striking he is.

“Go! Go get your man!” Carol, my sister and best friend, urges me forward with excitement. I wipe away tears and try to gather myself as I make my way to the stage. Each step brings me closer to Alejandro, and as I finally stand in front of him, I can't help but marvel at how attractive he is. His dark eyes and tousled blond hair make him impossible to overlook, and it humbles me that he chose me.

“Great speech, Alejandro. Were you trying to make me cry?” I joke, taking a step closer and wiping my eyes as I look up at him. He meets my gaze with a playful smile, and I can tell he enjoys bringing out my emotions. His laughter feels genuine and adds warmth to the moment.

“I tried to make it meaningful,” he replies, pulling me closer, our faces just inches apart. I breathe in the familiar scent of his cologne, a comforting reminder of our closeness.

Being in his arms again feels incredible—though it’s only been a short time since we last embraced, it feels like forever.

“I’m proud of you,” I say, smiling. He takes my hand, holding it gently against his chest, and his eye contact feels intensely affectionate.

“Really? Because I’m proud of us,” he responds, leaning in for a kiss that starts off teasing but quickly deepens, pulling me in closer. As I melt into him, the cheering crowd fades into the background, leaving just the two of us in this special moment.

Finally, I’m here, having officially graduated high school, and looking back, it’s clear it has been one of the toughest times in my life. Despite the challenges, the support from my friends and Alejandro has made all the difference.

Carol, my best friend, has been by my side since freshman year. I remember the first time we met; she was full of energy, sporting a pixie cut with vibrant red and blue streaks. Her unique style and dark green eyes made her stand out. I never expected to form such a strong bond with her, especially since we’re so different, but that’s what drew us together. We have always had each other’s backs, and it was during one of her parties—one I almost didn’t attend—that I first met Alejandro.

At first, I didn’t think much of him; he seemed like just another cocky jock from the football team. But the more I got to know him, the more I realized how different he was from the stereotype. Alejandro is genuine and kind-hearted, always finding ways to uplift those around him. He has an uncanny ability to connect with people, and often, he would go out of his way to make others smile. His patience and understanding won me over, and soon, I couldn’t help but fall in love with him.

I never anticipated that we would still be together after all this time, but here we are, and it’s been a wonderful experience.

"Anna! You're so lucky! I’m really going to miss you when I go to San Francisco this summer!" Carol’s words cut through my thoughts, reminding me that she’ll be leaving to visit her aunt soon. It hits me hard, and I suddenly feel tears prickling at my eyes.

“Why did you bring that up? I was trying not to cry!” I jokingly shove her while feeling the sting of impending goodbyes.

“No! Don’t cry! You’re moving in with your boyfriend! This is a celebration!” She starts to cry, and before long, I’m in tears too, pulling her into a tight hug right there amidst the crowd. Our bond feels unbreakable, even as we face the reality of separation.

When I first introduced Alejandro to my parents, they weren’t too keen on him. They wanted me to focus on school, and I reassured them I would, but as I spent more time with him, my feelings deepened beyond friendship. Thankfully, my parents have started to accept him, and by senior year, they reluctantly agreed to let me move in with him. At nineteen, living with my parents felt limiting, and I wanted to establish my own independence.

Today, I find myself packing up my things from my dad's place while he and my stepmom are at work. I know it’s not ideal to leave without saying goodbye, but I feel that if they were here, they wouldn’t understand my decision.

Our new home is small but cozy, with two bedrooms and a single bathroom. Alejandro has worked hard to make this happen, saving diligently for us to start our lives together. It’s a milestone for both of us. Four years into our relationship, this is a big step forward.

Is it too early to move in with my boyfriend? Some might think so, and I occasionally wonder the same. But I’ve never felt more sure about anything in my life. I want to experience all the responsibilities of adulthood with him—splitting bills, grocery shopping, and navigating life together.

Was it too soon? Perhaps. But we only live once, and I want to embrace every moment we can share. After all, we are two high school sweethearts deeply in love, and I hope that nothing changes that.