It all started in the tenth grade.

Kayla and Jordan sat next to each other in chemistry class, where laughter came easier than formulas and passing notes became more important than passing tests. They shared secrets under the bleachers, first kisses behind the gym, and promises of forever, scribbled in notebook margins.

But forever came too soon.

Kayla's dad got a job offer two states away, and just like that, her world flipped. She tried to be strong, tried to hold back the tears as Jordan hugged her goodbye the night before the move.

"I'll wait for you," he whispered, squeezing her hand.

"And I'll come back," she promised.

But time has a way of dulling promises, especially teenage ones.

Three years passed. Kayla turned nineteen, and her family returned to their hometown after her dad's job didn't work out. It was strange being back - familiar, yet distant. The memories rushed in the second she stepped into the corner coffee shop, the one where she and Jordan used to split muffins after school.

And that's when she saw him.

Jordan.

He looked older, taller - but his smile was still the same. Her heart skipped.

He was standing in line? holding another girl's hand.

Kayla turned away quickly, hoping he hadn't seen her. She told herself it didn't matter. They were just kids back then. Things change. People move on.

But fate wasn't done.

A week later, they ran into each other again - this time at the park, near their old bench. Jordan froze when he saw her.

"Kayla?"

She smiled, nervously. "Hey, stranger."

They talked for hours, catching up on everything and nothing. He admitted he'd thought of her often. She confessed she never really moved on. His girlfriend, it turned out, was more recent - and things weren't as serious as they seemed.

Over the next few weeks, they kept bumping into each other. Coincidence, or maybe something more.

Eventually, Jordan showed up at her door.

"I never stopped loving you," he said, eyes soft but certain.

"I was hoping you'd say that," Kayla whispered, pulling him into a hug.

Some love stories fade, but theirs found its way home.

And this time, forever felt real.