text: When Dave was just four, he went up to a girl and said that he liked her. The girl started giggling and replied with an “eww!” Dave felt a pain in his chest. He didn’t know what it was at the time, but he would later find out this was heartbreak. This was his first heartbreak. But it would not be his last. A few years past and there was a different girl that caught his eyes. He decided to wow this girl with a handmade card and a dozen roses. He used all of his allowances and gave them to her. He was really excited. The girl liked them and thanked him. She read the card and said, “oh. I’m sorry. You’re so sweet, but I don’t see you in that way.” Dave’s smile disappeared and he received a pity hug. He walked away sad and defeated. This was his second heartbreak. But it would not be his last. Senior year of high school. Dave still never had a girlfriend, but he was determined to change that. “A prom-posal should do the trick,” he thought. He got a bunch of supplies for it. It was perfectly planned and he was ready. However, the day before Dave was going to ask the girl, another guy had beat him to it. Dave couldn’t believe it. That night, he took the poster and ripped it to shreds. He then asked the girl if he had asked first would she have had said yes. She laughed in his face and answered, “of course not!” Dave was crushed. A frown across his face and tears primed to starting flowing onto his cheeks. This was his third heartbreak. But it would not be his last. Dave needed an escape from his tiny hometown. A fresh start in the world. He would travel hundreds of miles away for college. A new group of people. A second chance for a first impression. Dave started college well and made lots of friends. He talked to a lot of girls, but there was one that stood out among the rest. He really liked this one. He enjoyed their conversations and all the times they hung out together. They had been friends for a few months now and Dave decided it was time to ask her out. He felt confident and ready and knew she would say yes. There was just one small issue with his plan... “I have a boyfriend back home,” she said. The words hit him like an express train. Dave’s jaw dropped, his face red with embarrassment. He tried to use whatever confidence he had left to gracefully end this conversation. It didn’t work, he gave her an awkward, stuttering apology and sprinted away. This was his fourth heartbreak, but it would not be his last. Dave used the rest of his time to work on himself. An outside observer would think he had a great life. It seemed he had it all, big house, steady job, nice car, the whole 9 yards. But I know the truth about Dave. He was lonely, he was sad, he had tried and tried to find someone, but it never worked out. Suddenly there was a crash by the window. A robber had entered Dave’s home. Dave came downstairs to see what was going on. Surprised by Dave’s presence, the gunman shot Dave right through the chest and ran away with as much as possible as quickly as possible. Dave fell to the floor with his hand over his heart. He lied on the floor watching his blood pour out. Dave was in great pain until he realized something. This would be his last heartbreak. In his final moments, Dave looked at his wound with a smile on his face. Only is those moments, was Dave truly happy.