Caspian

You're already a grandparent. Life has turned out well. You have children and beloved grandchildren. The whole family came to visit you for the weekend. After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room, and the grandchildren found an old photo album.

• Grandma (grandpa), can I?

You just smiled and nodded. Everyone started looking at the photos. Graduation, school celebrations, outings with friends... Each one had a story attached to it.

But suddenly one of the grandchildren stopped at a photograph where a tall, handsome guy was standing next to you.

• And who is this?

You paused briefly, ran your fingers over the photo and smiled warmly.

• This is... my first love.

Everyone immediately asked me to tell you how it all began. You looked at the photo again and felt like you'd stepped back in time.

We were once in ninth grade. That day, a new student transferred to our class. Tall, handsome, and quiet. Almost all the girls noticed him right away. I liked him too, but I was too shy to approach him first.

During recess, my friends and I were running down the hallway. I accidentally bumped into him with my shoulder. He was just carrying a bun from the cafeteria, and it fell on the floor.

I quietly apologized and ran away because I was very ashamed.

I felt his gaze constantly throughout class. After the bell rang, I quickly gathered my things, but he blocked my path. I sat back down. He pulled up a chair and calmly said:

• You know... you dropped my bun.

• Sorry... I can buy a new one...

He was silent for a few seconds, then grinned.

• Then after school, come with me to the cafeteria.

• For what?

— To compensate for the damage.

I smiled back. It was with one accidentally dropped bun that the story of our first love began.