I thought as a young 17 year old that I would find true love. I was in relationships before but they just didn’t work out.  So one day, I was invited to a friend’s house to meet guys. I was so shocked about this guy that caught my eye. He was cute and he came up to me and introduced himself. He even said I was beautiful which made me tear up. We quickly exchanged numbers and talked all night. I figured that was the end and I’d never see him again. I had no intention of meeting him because I just got out of a relationship. He called and texted right after I left and the rest was history. I was starting to think he’s a good guy and maybe we can just be friends. He asked me out on a date and it was the most amazing night ever! We finally became a couple and I was so happy. I started to have a massive crush on him and he was starting to fall for me. The crush soon became love and I was super excited because I found someone who actually cared about me! I always hung out with him and finally met his family and they liked me. They always invited me to family events and I had so much fun. They always called me their second daughter because they have one and they were so happy that he was happy. We got along great and they treated me with respect. I never knew the guy I was falling for was going to be my worst nightmare. His behavior changed and I didn’t like it so I assumed the hormones. One day, we went swimming at his house because it was a gorgeous day and I gained some weight. I didn’t notice the weight gain and he said I looked fat. I cried and he apologized so I forgave him. For a few weeks, he didn’t say anything bad until that one scary night. We got into an argument and I didn’t know that night he would be The Devil. He was screaming, yelling, threatening and almost hit me. I was in tears crying and ran into the bathroom to hide from him. He ran after me and I was crying so hard that my makeup was a clown. I was so scared that I was shaking. He knocked on the door and I opened it. He apologized and promised to never do it again. Stupid me forgave him and we hugged. The whole night I was thinking OMG I WAS ALMOST HIT! I was literally so scared and my heart was racing. He told me the reason why he took it out on me was because he was having a bad day. I know I should’ve left him but I loved him! I was afraid of telling anyone because I had a feeling that if I told that he would hurt me so I stayed. All of a sudden, he became very jealous, angry, possessive and always said horrible things about me. I thought he was never going to do that again because he said he wouldn’t but I was wrong. He wouldn’t let me hang out with friends or talk to them, see or talk to my family, would constantly call and text me and if I didn’t answer, he’d find a way to get a hold of me. I remember one time I wore makeup and he told me to never wear it because it hides my beauty but I wear it to look pretty. He’d tell me what to wear and I felt insecure. His parents who I thought liked me all of a sudden hated my religion! They would always tell me to date guys my religion. They would always accuse me of cheating which I NEVER DID! I finally broke down and told my best friend and family. I felt horrible. He would tell me I’m fat, stupid, worthless, I can’t have friends or family, no job. I work in retail and he hated the fact that I had a job so I had to chose between him or the job. I chose both. I needed the money and loved him so much. I finally told him that I wanted to stay with my job and make it a career and he seemed supportive. I would work like 30 hours one week and he seemed happy with the money coming in. We never lived together but always talked about it. I never thought Satan would come back. I quit eating, lost weight and my clothes didn’t fit, I hated how I looked. I always felt sick like throwing up because I never ate. I felt like fainting at work a lot and felt really dizzy. I would have trouble sleeping because I was afraid he’d hurt me. I would lie to my coworkers and say I have the stomach bug that’s why I’m losing weight. I finally told them and they were so supportive. I got braces because my teeth were crooked and a haircut. I felt great! I felt like a billion dollars! I was finally feeling confident! He hated it. He would always tell me I don’t need braces or the haircut. His parents would tell me I would look to sexy for other men. If I was texting my friends, they’d look over my shoulder and it was disrespectful. This guy was so disrespectful to my family that I couldn’t take it! It was my mom’s birthday and he called because he wanted to take me on a date and forget about my mom. I said I can’t. It’s mom’s birthday. He was screaming, yelling, threatening to hurt me and the family and hung up the phone. He called back and said that I don’t deserve to be with her on her birthday. He’s more important. I said I can’t because I’m spending the day with mom and that’s when he got so mad. I started to cry and my mom saw me balling my eyes out in tears. I told her everything he said over the phone and she was in shock. She said it can be over for good if I want it too. I said yes so she texted him and said It’s over forever. I cried and felt like a weight was off my shoulders. I told all of my friends and family that it was over and they were so happy because they never liked him. After the breakup, I went on a few dates with different guys but I guess they didn’t like me. I know you guys are probably like why did she stay with him? I guess because I was young and dumb. I thought I found my Prince Charming but he was the Devil. I will never take him back and I feel so confident. I’m not scared anymore. I finally am happy and gained all the weight back by eating. I don’t have trouble sleeping. I feel free! This experience will haunt me forever but I’m slowly working on forgetting about it. There’s days where I think I am everything he said but I kept my job, friends, family and most importantly, I’m alive!