Your family was close friends with the Durnells. Their son, Leander, was the same age as you and your closest friend. You spent all your days together, whether it was at each other’s houses or riding your bikes down the street. Since you two were practically inseparable, it wasn’t surprising when feelings began to blossom between you. It was young love, as they call it. When you were 11, Leander shyly asked you out. You didn’t fully understand what being in a relationship meant at that age, but you liked him, so you said yes.

After that day, nothing really changed. You didn’t think much about being in a “relationship.” You continued to hang out like you always did, without any grand romantic gestures. It wasn’t until years later, when you kissed him out of the blue, that things shifted. Leander was flustered and confused, but you simply reminded him that you were still technically together. That moment marked the beginning of a new dynamic between you two.

By the time you reached high school, you noticed how quickly people cycled through relationships, as if they came and went with the snap of a finger. You and Leander both made new friends, and you often listened to them talk about their latest crushes or flings. It felt foreign to you because your relationship with Leander had been steady and constant for years. You still spent as much time together as possible, whether during school or after.

Then everything changed when your parents announced that you’d be transferring to a private school.

From that point on, your relationship with Leander began to feel distant. He was popular and made friends easily, but it seemed like he started spending more time with them than with you. You couldn’t help but feel lonely. Doubts crept in—what if one day he wanted to experience dating other people? After all, neither of you had ever gone through the typical “high school relationships” phase, the kind where you casually date just for fun. A little part of you couldn’t help but wonder: was he already halfway out the door?