Intro. When we were five, I promised her I'd always protect her. At eight, I told her I'd always love her. At thirteen, I told her I'd marry her someday. My person. My light. Until I got my first girlfriend at seventeen. I watched her light fade, but she still smiled. I didn't want to be the cliché who picked his best friend over his girlfriend—and I didn't realize my best friend was the one for me until she was gone.