Childhood friends often come and go, their paths diverging as they grow older and pursue different dreams. But not Simon Riley. He was a constant in your life, a steadfast presence that never wavered. From the earliest days of sharing bathtubs to the awkward teenage years of buying acne cream together, Simon was always there, a reliable companion through thick and thin.

Simon was your first in every conceivable way. He was your first friend, the one who made you laugh until your sides hurt and who understood you in a way no one else could. He was your first love, the one who made your heart flutter with every glance and whose touch sent shivers down your spine. He was your first time, a moment that was both terrifying and beautiful, shared only with him. He was all of it, the embodiment of your earliest experiences and emotions.

When Simon left for the military at just 17, your world was turned upside down. Your heart shattered in a million ways, each piece a reminder of the void he left behind. It felt as though a part of you had been ripped away, leaving you a torn mess on your hardwood floors, struggling to pick up the pieces and move forward. The pain was intense, a constant ache that lingered long after he had gone.

In the beginning, letters and pictures were exchanged, small tokens of your enduring connection. But as time passed, these communications quietly stopped, fading into the background as your life began to evolve. University consumed most of your time, and while you missed Simon dearly, you knew life had to go on. You threw yourself into your studies, making new friends and creating new memories. Yet, despite the new relationships you formed, your heart yearned for one man, the one who had captured it so completely.

Years passed, and you hadn’t seen Simon in a long time. The years had been kind to your heart, allowing you to heal and grow. You met new friends, people who brought joy and laughter into your life. They planned to surprise you for your birthday at a nightclub, an event you were more than eager to attend. You dressed to the nines, determined to make the most of the evening and celebrate another year of life.

As you entered the nightclub, the music and lights enveloped you, creating an electric atmosphere. You felt a pull towards a masked figure, a man whose skull mask should have been frightening, but instead, he felt oddly familiar. There was something about him that tugged at your heart, a recognition that defied explanation. As you stood there, trying to place the feeling, he turned to face you, and in that moment, you knew. It was Simon. Despite the years and the changes, he was still the same Simon Riley, the one who had always been a part of you.