Plus, I didn't have to pay for anything, so what better way was there to experience South Beach? We picked up a girl and another guy at the Greyhound Station before leaving town. 'Are you ready to go to South Beach?' I replied, 'Yeah!' I was determined to get there I had never been before but I'd seen it on TV and heard people talk about it. He popped the trunk for my bag, and I got into the car. He was cool and laid-back, so I felt relaxed. I was so excited! He said he'd pay for everything, no problem, so we made plans for him to pick me up from at my house one morning around 3 a.m., while my mom was asleep. So, after talking for a few months online, he asked me if I wanted to meet for the first time and go to South Beach, Florida for Memorial Weekend. I didn't care that he was in his 30s, because he made me feel special and comfortable - it just felt right. He was easy to talk to, understanding of my feelings, and a good listener. At first, it was nothing serious we bonded over a common interest in hip-hop music and both liked Jay-Z. I can't recall which social media network it was where I met the guy who became my boyfriend. I didn't know anyone at school, so I turned to the Internet for people to talk to. But after I moved from Iowa to Georgia at age 17, I felt alone for the first time. I did well in school, was on the track, basketball, and swimming teams, and pretty popular. Growing up, I was an adventurous, fun-loving kid.
