Prelude
They say there is always someone out there for you. Your perfect match, your soulmate. I used to think that was a bunch of bullshit when I was younger.
I even stopped being optimistic, gave myself and accepted the loneliest fate possible, until one day, it actually happened to me.
I met my one.
Hi. My name is Alfie.
As of 2025, I've been happily married to my high school sweetheart for 23 years, and we've been together for 25 years—And we're still going strong. It's crazy to think how fast time flies— especially when you've shared it with your bestest of friends and greatest of lovers.
Today, this is almost unheard of. Who would have thought we would become some kind of rarity in the world of romantic relationships.
Back then, neither of us expected to find each other. I was giving up trying to be involved with someone, we were both going different ways, wanting different things, but things just happened instantly between us.
It's hard to explain, but when you feel that spark with someone—YOU WILL KNOW IT! Your brain will turn to mush and they will be the only thing you can think about.
One day on a social media platform and someone posted a meme that said—
"I WANT A SHY AND NERDY BOYFRIEND!"
It reminded me of those days when I was that awkward, shy and nerdy boy.
I commented —
"Those are the kind of boys you need to make the first move on. That's how my wife got me!"
This created a thread of interest and many replies later, I told a short version of how I met my highschool Sweetheart and how we got together.
Replies after that suggested this would make an amazing Teen Drama or a young adult novel.
So here we are.
What better time to do it then when you are celebrating your relationship reaching that silver aged milestone.
I am sharing the full, detailed story of how we became these fated lovers.
Sit back and let me take you back to where it all started.
Let me take you back to a time when social media was barely a concept, the age of information was young, jeans were baggy and could easily hold a textbook in a pocket, the popular cell phone was basic and indestructible, fashion was vibrant, and we had to wait to see the pictures we took.
It was a time when we lived in the moment.
Let me take you back to 1999!
For many Latinos growing up, 15 is a very important age. This was the time the culture no longer sees you as a child and transitioning to an adult.
This became too real for me.
The moment I turned 15, life seemed to have thrown a very interesting curveball at me.
I wasn't so sure if it was the hormones or if I was starting to see the world from a different point of view.
Around this time, the life I grew up with, my entire childhood, was fading and becoming a very distant memory. My parents were going through a very terrible divorce.
Dad had moved out and moved on. This left me in a house with my mom, my older sister Vivian, and my little brother Armando. It was devastating.
And to add to that, I was seeing my older sister dealing with the troubles at home in a very different way as compared to me.
I was the kind of individual that always kept things to myself and bottled it all up. Building high walls and fortifying myself from the outside world. The only time you'd see my feelings are in some of my drawings.
Vivian, however, has always been hot-headed and rebellious. She embraced this Chola (Mexican street thug) lifestyle and went by the name "Pebbles" after the baby from the Flintstones. Don't let that name fool you. She may be short, but I've seen her knock someone out who was twice her size just because they gave her a mean look.
She chose a life full of bad decisions and destructive behaviors. Gangs, fights, drugs, the works. It's sad that she wasn't even 18 yet and has visits with a probation officer.
Even in having that tough and rugged exterior, she was also very protective of us, but was also my biggest bully. There was a few times I went to school with black eyes because I tried to stand up against her.
Things didn't go so well on my end. I avoided her as much as possible.
My home life has led me to start struggling with my studies. I was no longer feeling like my home was home anymore and just wanted to escape it all.
My friends at school were my only refuge during these difficult times. We called ourselves "the island of misfits" based on the old Christmas stop-motion animation "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer".
Many of us in the group were a bunch of outcasts and social butterflies who just felt we didn't really belong to a specific clique or group, but somehow got along with all kinds of people. From the cool artistic kids and star athletes, to the nerdy and studious bunch, the rebellious punks, rockers, and goths, even a few that considered themselves as thugs and troublemakers.
We were definitely an interesting bunch.
Being at such an age, many of them have been dating, already had their first kiss, and even becoming fully intimate and romantically involved with someone. As for myself, I had become too shy and questioned what love is after witnessing many heartbreaks between my family and friends.
I personally didn't want to find love, I was scared of it.
I had it engraved in my head I was going to join a religious order and become some kind of monk and live the life of a hermit—away from all of it.
During the Summer of 1999, things changed once again.
With all of the troubles I was having in my studies and class work, I had failed some classes my Freshman year of high school and had no choice but to attend summer school to make up the work. This also gave me another way to avoid home. Alas, a blessing in disguise.
The only misfortune of it all was that none of my friends from the group were going to be there. Might as well be the lone wolf I was planning on becoming and keep my head low.
Walking down those musky and aged hallways of our high school felt different then when they weren't cluttered with the usual chaos of student traffic. The only students I saw were my summer classmates standing in line and waiting for the teacher to open the door. They all looked miserable and tormented by the intense summer heat El Paso was known for. Many of us called our city Hell Paso.
Footsteps with a unique clack sound echoed as our teacher finally appeared. He was short, had these round framed glasses, a thick mustache and looked a lot like a Mexican Rick Moranis. I could hear some of my classmates snickering and saying "I AM THE KEY MASTER!"under their breath.
He was unfortunately bland and looked like he didn't want to be there as much as we did.
As he opened the door and held it for the class to enter, he announced, "Ok, everyone. Go ahead and look for your name on the desk. If you don't like the arrangement, that's too bad."
Some of my new classmates were quick to respond in displeasure, where as I didn't really care. I just wanted to get on with it and be done.
I quickly found my name on one of the round tables and took my seat and pulled out my drawing pad. Thanks to one of my friends I made during my freshman year, I had become very fond of that anime style that's become a bit of a craze among us. It's all I was able to draw.
"Oh, that's cute!"
I froze and my pencil stopped moving the moment I heard that sweet voice chimed right next to me. "Umm...Thank you." I giggled bashfully as I dropped my pencil. "I...I'm actually just messing around right now."
From the corner of my eye, I looked over and noticed a plastic lunchbox with Goliath from Disney's Gargoyle's facing me. There was a long braided chord fastened to it somehow like a shoulder strap.
Is that Gargoyle's? Cool! I love that show.
Whoever this was had definitely caught my curiosity. I finally looked to see the owner of this lunchbox and my heart may have skipped a beat.
She had this gothy, grungy aesthetic that was unique, yet had its charm. Her figure was curvy and cute. She was wearing some baggy jeans that had safety pins randomly attached and a Powerpuff Girls T-shirt. Her nails were painted jet-black, had shiny silver rings that adorned her fingers, and there were multiple bracelets around her wrists. Her fine brunette hair was shoulder length with one side brushed behind her ear to display all the different piercings.
What had really drawn me into her was her eyes. Even with the way she lined them to appear more catlike and the hint of silver shadow, I couldn't help but stare as there was something peculiar about her eyes that I couldn't quite figure it out.
Hello! Earth to Alfie! You're just sitting there staring looking like an idiot.
"Umm, I have to ask," I finally mustered up the courage to break the silence. "You like Gargoyles?"
"Yess. I love that show. I even have the movie with the boardgame." She said proudly.
"Aww, lucky." I muttered. "And you have the lunchbox."
"Oh, this?" She smirked and maneuvered the lunchbox closer to open it. "It's my purse."
"What?!"I was dumbstruck and laughed.
Ok, who is this girl?
She had managed to take a regular children's lunch box and arranged it to where she was able to carry some makeup, a few personal belongings, and—a classic model Gameboy.
AND SHE PLAYS GAMES! AM I DREAMING THIS?
I leaned in with awe. "Did you seriously bring a Gameboy to school?"
She let out a little giggle and nodded. "What else am I going to do while I wait after school."
She's got a point.
I was already liking this girl. The way she dressed, how she thinks and her attitude. We like similar things. She seems sweet yet rebellious.
"Sooo." I fidgeted with my pencil. "Since we are going to be stuck sharing this desk all summer, I figured introducing myself should be the first step. I'm Alfie."
"Yeah, I already saw that on the card." She playfully pointed at my name card and quickly covered hers. "I'm Cerulia. I go by CC."
"Cerulia? That's different." I blinked quickly. "Isn't that a color?" I tried to take a look at her name card which only led her to scoot it over out of my sight. "Your last name's pretty cool. Kane. Just like the wrestler."
"Ugh." She rolled her eyes. "I've been getting that a lot lately."
Ok, I don't think she likes pro wrestling...
The teacher stood at the front of the class and was taking the attendance roll call. He did a double take on of the names.
"ummm Candi...Kane?"
Some of my classmates giggled.
"Here." She raised her hand while the other covered her face in embarrassment. "I go by C.C."
She became even more annoyed by hearing her name.
Candi?
I didn't want to appear rude, but I was amused hearing she was named after a Christmas treat.
I leaned over towards her and whispered. "Did your parents seriously name you Candi Kane?"
She grimaced and sighed. "Yeah. My parents thought it was really cute. That's why I prefer CC."
The teacher finally came around and anounced my name.
"Here!" I raised my hand
"Oh ho. Now I know why you go by Alfie. Your name makes me think of Chicken Alfredo." She rebutted.
"Haha. I have never heard that one before." I answered sarcastically. "CANDI!"
She scoffed and stuck out her tongue at me. "FETTUCINE!" CC snapped back with sass.
We locked eyes for a moment and started to giggle quietly.
I don't know what it was about her, but she quickly brought out this playful behavior in me.
As the class went on, we couldn't help but tease and banter with each other like we've been friends for a while.
After class, we walked to the front of the school and waited for our parents to pick us up. CC had her Gameboy at hand and sat on the concrete ledge. I stood beside her like a shade to block some of the sunlight. She was about to play, but decided to chat with me instead.
"So what games do you usually play?" I asked curiously and now feeling comfortable talking to her.
"A little bit of whatever." CC shrugged. "Tetris will always be my go-to game."
"Tetris huh." I crossed my arms and thought for a moment. "Umm...Maybe I can bring my Gameboy tomorrow. We can play versus mode."
"Maybe." She giggled and brushed her back behind her ear. "I'm really good. Think you can keep up?" She looked up at me and smirked.
I was going to accept her challenge, but became distracted by that afternoon sun that had hit her eyes just right. It was captivating and mesmerizing to see something rare and beautiful reveal before me. I had never seen such a feature like this on anyone before until I met her.
Her left eye was as green as a fresh spring glade and her right eye was like a pool of warm honey.
I was feeling light on my feet and it was at that moment, I felt like I had become smitten by her. She had taken my breath away.