To My First Love, Who Never Knew

Dear First Love,

You were my first. Not my first kiss, not my first date, but my first everything that mattered.

You were the first person I thought about when I woke up. The first name I wrote in my notebook margins. The first person who made me understand what all those songs were about.

I was sixteen. You were the new student. You sat two rows ahead of me in English class, and I spent the entire year staring at the back of your head, memorizing the way you tucked your hair behind your ear.

I never told you. Not once. Not even when you asked me to help you with homework. Not even when you smiled at me on your birthday. Not even when you moved away at the end of the year.

I was too scared. Too shy. Too afraid of losing what we had, even though what we had was nothing more than a beautiful friendship built on my silent love.

Years later, I found out you liked me too. That you waited for me to say something. That you moved away hoping I would finally speak up.

But I never did. And now, all I have left are memories of a love that could have been, but never was.

I hope you're happy. I hope you found someone who wasn't afraid to tell you what I couldn't.

With all my heart,
The one who loved you first