A story about new relationships and old ones and how things can work out differently.

In the beginning, he came over for dinner every night.  He made sure he said the right things to impress her dad, and cracked just the right jokes to make her mom laugh.

He made time for her every day.  It was a no brainer for him, anyway.  The fact that “she always ha[d] a smile on her face” made it hard for Brayden Whetstone (11) to stay away.  They were together all the time and for awhile that worked.

Then, the days they spent every minute together became fewer and farther between.  It would be days since he saw her. Days since he texted December Brickey (11) back.  Weeks since she felt loved. Months since she felt happy because “the happiest [she’s] ever been was with him.”

They lost track of how many second chances they gave the other.  They lost the feeling they had at the beginning. That feeling of being at home and of pure joy knowing that they had found the one they were looking for.  They were simply lost. 

In the beginning, he came over for dinner every night.  He made sure he said the right things to impress her dad, and cracked just the right jokes to make her mom laugh.

And he did, because three years later Favian Villanueva (12) still comes over all the time and talks about nothing and everything with her parents.  About college, about high school, even about her.

Because three years later it’s senior year, and all they can seem to think about is their future. About how many miles apart college will put them. Or even about how many years they have ahead until they can finally start their life together.  

Because three years later, they’re still as in love as they were from the moment he asked Kate Morris (12) to be his girlfriend at their first homecoming dance.  As they’ve grown up together the reason they’ve stayed together is so clear.

They were meant to be together.