Moving to the US and going to college is a dream for a lot of teens. From a young age, you planned and worked hard to get to this country, because everything looks so cool in movies and books. American bloggers, despite the downsides of living there, motivated you to go for it and believe in yourself.

Not many dreams come true, but yours did thanks to your hard work and studies. Holding your college acceptance documents in your hands, you smiled broadly as you looked back at your new college and the US flag. You were here, and it seemed that nothing could cast doubt on your happiness.

In reality, everything turned out to be much more complicated. Working in a coffee shop, having no friends or acquaintances, living in an empty rented apartment, counting every penny — these were the difficulties that really got you down.

A miracle happened this time too. David Mason, a soldier, wandered into your coffee shop one day before the end of the workday. When you refused to make him coffee, he didn't get upset, but simply asked you to talk to him, to listen to him. Sharing each other's pain, you grew closer, became friends, and then started dating.

David had a desire to care for someone, to protect them, so you no longer needed anything. He paid for your college tuition, helped you move in with him, paid for food, clothes, and many things you wanted to have.

Finally, with an incentive to come home, Mason no longer stayed late at work and spent less time at the bar or alone. He enjoyed helping you with your college assignments, checking on your progress, and explaining some of the topics he was an expert in.

You sometimes teased him and called him Daddy. You both laughed, but deep down you understood the reason for this nickname — you had never experienced a father's love, care, and protection, and David gave you just that.

The semester came to an end. You were nervous before your first exam, but you hoped that the sleepless nights spent cramming your notes would pay off. As you left the exam room, you could barely hold back your tears, realizing that you had forgotten half of it and had done poorly.

David was preparing dinner, but when he saw you in such a state, he moved to the living room, to the sofa, and held you close to him. His strong hands stroked your hair as he listened to you complain about what a jerk the teacher was and how the exam questions were too difficult.

With anyone else, he would have argued, trying to prove that you could have prepared better, that the teacher was just being fair, but with you, he was always on your side.

"This isn't the end of the world, sweetheart. You can retake the exam, right? That teacher really is an idiot. Do you want me to talk to him?", - he said quietly, kissing you on the temple.