First Love

Emily stepped into the building she thought she would never have to enter again — Lincoln Park High School — but tonight was the night of the dreaded school reunion.

Emily slowly walked into the room where General Assemblies were held, she glanced around at the tacky decorations and familiar faces. 

She sighed and stepped further in and accidentally bumped into someone — she looked up and muttered under her breath, “crap.” 

“Watch it!” A woman’s voice snapped. 

“I see you’re still a bitch, Madison!” Emily snapped before walking off to the snack table — not wanting to deal with her high school bully tonight — she hadn’t eaten dinner, feeling way too nervous to have eaten anything. 

Emily stood at the snack table and took some deep breaths to calm down, hating that Madison could still make her feel like she was nothing. 

“I see you haven’t changed one bit, gorgeous,” a voice called out from behind her.

Emily’s heart stopped… could it really be him? She turned and looked and there he stood. Jenson. Her first love.

“Jense,” she said, her voice cracking, trying not to break down.

“Hey, gorgeous…” he said softly.

“I… I didn’t think you’d be here. I thought you were still in Afghanistan.” She revealed, her heart thumping loudly against her chest.

“I’ve been back a while.” He responded with a small smile. 

“Oh…” she murmured quietly. “What made you leave the army then?”

“I almost died and that made me realise something important…” he told her honestly.

“You… you almost died?” Her voice cracked, images of him almost dying flashing through her mind. “What did you realise?”

“That I never want to spend another moment without you.” Jenson said sincerely.

“You… you still…” her voice cracked and tears filled her eyes.

“Always, I never stopped.” He said with a smile.

Emily smiled.

“How about we get out of here and catch up properly,” he offered with his signature smile that was only for her.

Emily nodded and took his outstretched hand and followed him out of Lincoln Park High School.

They spent the rest of the night catching up on what they had done over the past few years, neither of them moving on properly and finding love again. 

Four years later, Emily and Jenson have been married for two years and have two beautiful children, Natalia and Henry.