The world has seen many things—wars fought for land, money, and power. We, as humans, destroy and rebuild over and over, driven by greed. But for all our fighting, there’s one thing we can’t control: love.

Love is strange. It’s stronger than any weapon, and no matter how much power someone has, love can still bring them to their knees. It sneaks up on you, changes you in ways you never thought possible, and makes you do things you never imagined. Love is the most powerful feeling, yet it’s also the hardest to understand.

Before I met her, I didn’t believe in letting love get in the way of my life. I thought it would slow me down, make me lose focus on my goals. I figured if I stayed clear of it, I could achieve whatever I wanted. I believed this with all my heart—until I saw her smile.

Now, I know you’re wondering: who am I, and who is she? Well, to be honest, I wasn’t much of anything. I was a chubby, lazy guy with no direction. I didn’t have much going for me, and I wasn’t proud of who I was. But then I saw her—the girl with a smile so bright it stopped me in my tracks. Her innocence and sweetness struck me hard. And that’s when everything changed.

At first, I didn’t want to like her. I didn’t want to get distracted. But I couldn’t stop myself. Every time I saw her, I felt something I hadn’t felt before. So I decided to change—for her.

I started working out, turning my body from chubby to fit. I studied harder, learned new skills, and pushed myself to become someone better. Every time I made progress, I told myself it was all for her, that if I became someone impressive, maybe she would notice me. Her smile drove me, motivated me, and I thought I was doing it all for her.

But as I changed, something unexpected happened. I realized that while I thought I was doing all of this for her, I was also changing for myself. I started to feel better, not just because I was improving, but because I began to see my own worth.

And then something even more surprising happened. While I was busy focusing on becoming someone for the girl I thought I liked, I met someone else. She wasn’t the girl whose smile had first inspired me, but someone different. She saw the real me—the one who was growing, learning, and trying to be better. She liked me for who I was becoming, not for the image I was trying to create.

That’s when I realized something important. The girl I thought I liked wasn’t the one for me. I had been chasing the wrong thing all along. It wasn’t about changing for someone else—it was about discovering myself. And along the way, I found someone who liked me for who I truly was.

So, this is my story. I started as a good-for-nothing guy who thought love was a distraction. I transformed myself, thinking I was doing it for one girl, only to find the right girl when I wasn’t even looking for her. Love, it turns out, isn’t just about the person you think you want. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself and finding someone who loves that version of you.

This is the story in which I start liking someone and also start dating her keep in touch if you want to see it's entirety to uncover itself

My name’s Leon, and I grew up surrounded by love. My father, a hopeless romantic, made sure of that. His stories about how love had changed him always filled our conversations. To him, love wasn’t just an emotion; it was the key to understanding the world, the thing that made life feel real and meaningful. But for me, love seemed distant—something that happened to other people, not to someone like me. I was just a kid, drifting through life, unsure if I’d ever feel what he described.

That all changed the moment I saw her.

It was on a bright, sunny day, with the wind gently blowing, when I thought of something my father always said. He often talked about how, when he was younger, he too felt bored with the world—until he met my mom. Whenever he talked about her, his face lit up in a way that made me believe everything he said. She wasn’t just his love; she was the reason he saw beauty everywhere. He told me, "The world is a work of art, but its beauty is best seen through the eyes of someone you love." He believed that with all his heart, and he tried to make me see it too.

You’d think, with a father like that, I’d have had my share of relationships, right? But no, love didn’t come naturally to me. Growing up, I was far from someone who stood out. I was just a chubby, awkward kid, always on the sidelines, unnoticed by girls and never really fitting in. Throughout elementary and middle school, I felt invisible. But deep down, I wanted what my dad had—the feeling of seeing the world through love. I just didn’t know how to get there.

Then came high school, and that’s when things started to change. For the first time, I had a real desire to find out what love was. I started working out, trying to reshape my body, thinking that maybe, if I changed the outside, the inside would follow. But my motivation wasn’t steady at first. My workouts were half-hearted, and I lacked direction.

That was until I saw her—Luna.

I still remember the day I saw her for the first time. It felt like the world stopped for a moment. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, and I’m not just talking about her looks. There was something about her presence that lit up everything around her. Her beauty wasn’t just in her face—it was in her kindness, her quiet grace. I felt mesmerized by her, like nothing else mattered except her. In that instant, I understood everything my father had tried to teach me. Luna made the world seem bigger, brighter, and for the first time in my life, I wanted to be more. I wanted to be someone who could stand beside her, someone who could match her light.

That moment changed everything. My workouts became serious. I pushed myself harder than I ever had before. I wasn’t just trying to change how I looked—I was trying to become the best version of myself. I gave it everything I had. Luna had become the spark that lit a fire inside me. It took a year of dedication, sweat, and struggle, but I transformed. The chubby kid who had once blended into the background was gone, replaced by someone I barely recognized—a stronger, more confident version of myself.

But as time went on, something unexpected happened. The more I worked on myself, the more I started to realize that my feelings for Luna were different than I had thought. She had been my inspiration, the reason I started this journey, but by the time I reached my goal, I didn’t feel the same way. I no longer wished to be with her. She was still as beautiful as ever, but it wasn’t about her anymore. It was about me. Through this whole process, I had found something more valuable than love—I had found myself. The person I became wasn’t for her, it was for me.

Now, as I stand here, ready to begin my second year of high school, I feel stronger, both inside and out. I may no longer have feelings for Luna, but I have something even more important—I finally became the best version of myself. It wasn’t just about reshaping my body; it was about discovering my strength, my worth. And that, I think, is what my father really wanted me to learn all along.

As all these thoughts swirled in my head, I suddenly felt a sharp pull from behind. A cloth was pressed over my mouth, and for a split second, panic surged through me. But it didn’t last long. I knew exactly who could pull such a stunt on the very first day of the semester. Jerald.

I shook my head slightly, already knowing how this would play out. My best buddy—no, my brother in all but blood—was the only one crazy enough to try something like this. Jerald had always been the wild one between the two of us, always finding a way to get under my skin, to push me just enough to remind me that I wasn’t alone. And sure enough, as he loosened his grip, I heard his voice, full of amusement, behind me.

“Finally decided to show up, huh? After everything that happened, I wasn’t sure you’d actually come to school in your new form.” His tone was light, but there was an underlying note of seriousness. It wasn’t just about me coming to school—it was about everything that had unfolded, the things that had nearly kept me from moving forward.

Jerald wasn’t wrong to think that I might not have made it today. Even I had spent hours the night before, torn between staying hidden or embracing the new version of myself. After all that happened, it hadn’t been an easy decision to step out into the world again. But seeing him here, in his typical wild way, made me realize I wasn’t doing this alone. I had Jerald, who had been there for me through every step of my journey. He never pushed me to talk about what I wasn’t ready to share, but his presence alone was enough.

Jerald let out a laugh, his grip loosening as he playfully shoved me forward. “Man, I was worried for nothing. Look at you! All good and bright, like a brand-new Leon.”

I smiled, shaking off the last of my nerves. Jerald’s energy was infectious, and in that moment, I realized how lucky I was to have someone like him by my side. “Yeah, well, don’t get too excited,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I’m just trying to survive this year.”

He clapped me on the back, his voice softer now. “Seriously though, I’m happy to see you, man. I was worried.”

His words hit deeper than he probably realized. Jerald always had a way of hiding his concern beneath jokes and teasing, but in moments like this, I could feel the depth of his care. He had always been there for me, no matter how tough things got.

And I knew what I had to do next. What any good friend would do.

Without warning, I grabbed Jerald by the arm, swiftly pulling him off balance, and before he could react, I had him pinned. His eyes widened in shock, and then came the familiar grin. “What the—Leon, no!”

But I wasn’t stopping. In one smooth motion, I twisted his arm back just enough to make him yelp in surprise. “You grabbed me from behind, buddy,” I said with a smirk. “So, now I’ve gotta do what any good friend would do in return.” And with that, I gave his finger a little twist.

“OW! What the hell, man?!” Jerald laughed, trying to wriggle out of my hold, but it was no use. I’d gotten stronger over the past year, and now, I was no longer the same guy he could easily wrestle to the ground.

I finally let him go, and he stood there, rubbing his hand and shaking his head. “I was just trying to welcome you back! Is this how you treat your best friend?” he asked, feigning hurt.

“Of course,” I said with a grin. “It’s what any good friend would do.”

Jerald grinned back, shaking his head in disbelief. “Alright, alright, I get it. You’ve really changed, Leon.” His eyes softened for a moment, and he clapped me on the shoulder again, this time more gently. “But honestly, I’m glad you’re back, man. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s good to see you like this. You made it.”

For the first time in a long while, I felt a warmth spread through me that wasn’t just from my own efforts. I had changed, yes, but I hadn’t done it alone. I had a caring friend like Jerald who stood by me, who believed in me, and who reminded me that I wasn’t walking this path by myself.

During lunch break, Jerald and I found our usual spot under the oak tree in the schoolyard, where the light breeze made the heat bearable. We sat quietly, eating our sandwiches in the familiar comfort of each other’s presence, until Jerald broke the silence with a question that hit deeper than I expected.

“So, Leon,” he began, his voice softer than usual, “how did you manage all this time? I mean… I know you. You’re not exactly the guy who thrives under pressure. Honestly, I thought you would’ve crumbled by now.”

His words were direct, but that was Jerald—always saying the things that most people would skirt around. And the thing was, he was right. I had always been the emotionally fragile one, the guy who’d retreat when things got too heavy. That version of me had been so predictable that I’d almost expected it too—that I’d break down, fall apart, and lose myself.

I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. Jerald wasn’t just asking out of curiosity; he was genuinely worried. He knew the old me, the one who would’ve struggled to make it through without breaking. But here I was, sitting beside him, stronger than before. Even I didn’t fully understand how I’d made it this far.

Without overthinking it, I gave him the only answer I could. “Honestly? I just thought about the people who care about me. My family, of course. And when it came to friends… Jerald, you were the first person who came to mind.”

I said it as casually as I could, but the truth behind the words weighed heavier than I intended. Jerald had been my anchor, the one who kept me grounded, even when I hadn’t realized it. He’d been there when I’d wanted to give up, nudging me forward without even knowing how much I needed it. But as I spoke, there was one name I left out—one person I couldn’t bring myself to mention yet. Luna.

I stopped short, smiling at him, trying to keep things light. But Jerald, in true fashion, couldn’t let the moment pass without ruining it.

“The way you said my name just now,” he said with a smirk, leaning in a little closer, “I might start thinking you’ve got feelings for me, man. You’re not getting all sentimental on me, are you?”

Before I could even process what he said, the juice I had been sipping sprayed out of my mouth, hitting Jerald square in the face. I coughed, trying to catch my breath, while Jerald wiped the juice off with the sleeve of his shirt, laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world.

“Damn it, Jerald!” I wheezed between coughs, trying to recover. “You just had to ruin the moment, didn’t you? Couldn’t let me have one serious moment without making it weird?”

Jerald grinned, unfazed. “Says the guy who just sprayed me with juice. Real smooth, Leon. Way to ruin the emotional mood.”

I rolled my eyes, still catching my breath. “Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry. Lunch is on me, okay? It’s the least I can do after nearly choking to death.”

His face lit up instantly. “Now you’re talking! That’s how you make up for your lack of emotional intelligence,” he joked. Then, his expression softened for a second. “But seriously, Leon, I’m glad you’re back. You’ve been through a lot. I’m just happy to see you like this.”

His words struck a chord. Jerald always had a way of making light of things, but beneath his teasing, I could tell how much he genuinely cared. I felt a warmth spread through me, not just from his words, but from the realization that I had someone who believed in me, who stood by me no matter what.

“Hey,” Jerald continued, “after school, let’s crash at my place. Play some games, unwind. But you know tomorrow’s not going to be as easy as today. Luna’s coming back to school.”

There it was. Her name again, like a ghost that haunted the edges of my mind. Even though I had worked so hard to change, to move on, Luna still lingered somewhere deep inside me. But I couldn’t let Jerald know that—not yet.

“Yeah, I know,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “But don’t worry. I’m over it. Let’s not talk about tomorrow. How about we hit the arcade after school instead? I’ve never been, and I think it’s time I see what it’s like. Plus, you know what? Luna’s not going to affect me anymore.”

Jerald raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that said he wasn’t buying it, but he didn’t push further. “Alright, arcade it is. Let’s make it a good one.”

---

After school, we headed straight to the arcade, the flashing lights and noise pulling us into a world where we could forget everything else. We played until our hands were sore, competing against each other in game after game, laughing like we hadn’t in months. It was the kind of joy I hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever—a break from reality, a chance to be a kid again, even if just for a while.

By the time we left, we were exhausted but happy. As we walked home, Jerald talked excitedly about how much fun it was, insisting we make it a regular hangout. I nodded along, a content smile on my face. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe again.

When I finally reached home, my mom was waiting for me at the door. Her smile was warm, full of the love only a mother could give. “How was your day, Leon?” she asked, her voice soft. “Back to school after so many holidays—did it feel good?”

I smiled back at her, my heart swelling with a familiar comfort. “It was the best,” I said, and I meant it.

Her face brightened, her eyes sparkling with pride. She reached up, gently ruffling my hair like she used to when I was a kid. “I’m so glad to hear that, sweetheart. Now, go take a shower, you sweaty thing. I made some of your favorite dishes, so come to the table before they get cold.”

The warmth of her words wrapped around me like a blanket, and for a moment, all the worries I had seemed to melt away. Dinner with my mom was like a warm hug—a cozy, familiar ritual that grounded me, no matter how chaotic life became. The food was perfect, just like always, and as we sat there, laughing and talking, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: peace.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, my mind wandered back to what Jerald had said earlier—about Luna. She hadn’t been at school today, but tomorrow, she would be. The thought of seeing her again stirred something deep inside me, something I wasn’t sure I was ready to face. Would I really be okay when I saw her? Could I handle it?

The uncertainty lingered, but I didn’t let it consume me. Whatever happened tomorrow, I’d deal with it then. I was stronger now, stronger than I had been before, and I had people like Jerald and my mom by my side. With that thought in mind, I closed my eyes and let sleep take me, hoping that tomorrow would bring the strength I needed to face whatever was coming.