I grew up knowing Garrison. Our families were close neighbors who frequently spent time together.
Until my parents tragically died in a car accident when I was in middle school, and my grandmother took me back to our hometown.
For a long time after that, Garrison and I kept in touch by phone.
But as we hadn't seen each other in years, our connection gradually faded.
Just when I thought we'd never meet again, I discovered we'd been accepted to the same college.
When I recognized him, I learned he already had a girlfriend.
She had chosen to attend a university in the South, far from him.
Perhaps remembering our childhood bond, Garrison looked after me at school.
Whenever I faced any difficulties, he would appear before me immediately.
I knew he had a girlfriend, so I had to maintain appropriate boundaries with him.
So I buried my feelings for him deep in my heart, never expressing them.