The first time I saw him, I absolutely despised him. He thought he knew everything- from math to science, history to English. Of course, he had to sit next to me in my worst subject- Geometry. I couldn’t stand him. Whenever I got something wrong, he corrected me as if I was a dumb-a**. He participated in all the math competitions, and science scholarship projects. And you know what? His college tuition fees were probably already all paid off. He was a know it all, and I absolutely hated him. I swore to myself I would never talk to him, or form any kind of friendship- let alone a relationship.

February 25, the day before my 17th birthday. I was in geometry class. He was helping me with a proof on proving triangles congruent. As if he knew I would only understand the ‘SAS Theorem’ by a dating reference, he added “Pretend the two sides are dating, so they are compatible and congruent.”
“Ok….” I replied, unsure of what to say, and still not understanding this wacky theorem. I kept repeating ‘theorem’ in my head. What a funny word. ‘Theorem, theorem, theorem.’ Haha, it was spelt weird, too.
“Like me and you.”
My brain froze. I stared at him, with a disgusted look on my face.
“What???” I stared at him with daggers in my eyes, making sure he could see the flames, the smoke steaming out of my ears.
“I think that was a bad pick up line…” he looked away, embarrassed.
“You think?? I mean, were you serious? You really thought I would go out with someone like you?” I immediately regretted what I had just said. His eyes looked hurt, like a puppy dog. Sadness showered his round face, as it became small. He looked down at his feet, taking off his glasses, and rubbing his eyes. It took me a moment before I realized he was crying! What had I done?!

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry, Ricardo.” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” I whispered, looking into his red, eyes. I missed his sweet, sensitive, chocolate-brown eyes. How did I remember what his eye color was? “But can I ask you something?”

“Yeah?” he looked at me, deeply, intently, with a passion.

“Did you really wanna go out with me?”

I stared into his eyes. I felt like the wicked witch of the west.

“Mhmm.” He nodded.

“Why? What’s so special about me? I mean, look at me.” I said, pointing to my messed up proof on the eraser driven paper. I can’t even get this stupid theorem right! You don’t deserve me- you need a much smarter girl. And just look at my hair! It’s a complete and total mess!” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He just shook his head. “You don’t realize this. You’re special. You’re so sweet and giddy. And I love you- just the way you are. Oh, and by the way, your hair is absolutely stunning- it falls perfectly around your face. And when you smile, my heart never forgets to skip a beat.”

These were words I would have never dreamed a guy would ever say, especially to me.

“Really?” I looked away, my cheeks blushing.

“Yeah.”

I suddenly had an urge to hug him. Real tight. I reached my hands over his broad, muscular shoulders, and his hands found my waist. I hugged him, and whispered “I love you, Ricardo. Promise you’ll never leave my side.”
“I promise.” He whispered, pushing a strand of hair away from my ear. And I knew this promise would be kept forever. He slowly pulled his head back, brushing away more hair away from my face, and slowly, carefully, he touched his lips to mine.