Months later, I met Leon.
He was calm, respectful, and had this quiet charm that drew me in. At that point in my life, I wasn't looking for love
I had been through too much emotionally and just wanted peace. So we began as friends.
We went out a few times, hung out casually, laughed together, and shared our thoughts about life. The bond grew naturally. Weeks passed, and without realizing it, I found myself letting my guard down. I was 18 when we officially started dating.
Leon was different. He listened, paid attention, and made me feel safe. I wasn't just someone to him I was *his person*. For once, I didn't feel the need to chase love; it came to me.
Then, out of nowhere, Peter resurfaced. He said he wanted to fix things, to go back to how we used to be. A part of me was shocked. Maybe if it were months earlier, I would have given in. But things had changed. I had changed.
The version of me that used to cry for Peter was gone. I wasn't that naïve girl anymore,I was growing, healing, and falling in love with someone who valued me.