Couples make up an immense amount of the NC student body. Kissing and embracing, they fill the hallways with affection between classes. Asked identical questions separately, three NC couples tell the story of their relationship from their point of view.

Juniors Ricky Medina and Cydnee Gibbs began dating three years ago. Gibbs explained that her trust for Medina persistently kept their relationship strong through several quarrels throughout the years: “I see him as one of my best friends and that’s why it’s so easy for me to trust him.”

Medina felt unhappy before meeting Gibbs. “I was hopelessly single,” Medina said, as opposed to Gibbs who happily lived life alone: “I was confident with myself.”

Gibbs’ confidence remains an important aspect in the couple’s relationship. Gibbs provides support and encouragement to Medina and awoke another side of him at the beginning of their relationship with her bubbly personality. Today, Medina shares his newfound confidence and strengths with Gibbs to better their relationship.

Medina and Gibbs both agree they will try to maintain their relationship through college. As expected, with different dreams and goals, the couple mutually answered they do not know for sure how long it will continue but hope for a long-lasting relationship.

Philip Wynne

Following another path, juniors Jabril Williams and Tara Harris began dating at the end of summer, 2013. Before the couple began dating, they established themselves as best friends.

Williams recalls a memory of Harris even before their friendship flourished: “She was on the bus and she looked so sad. I just remember thinking I want to go out with her.”

Similarly, Harris remembers the same time from her perspective during her interview: “I was on this bus and guys wouldn’t talk to me and he would because he actually cared, but I wasn’t worried about having a boyfriend.”

Williams and Harris found an undeniable passion for each other. The couple admitted to facing issues, but made their relationship stronger with the love they share with each other. Similar to Medina and Gibbs, Williams and Harris plan to attend different colleges.

“I want to continue to keep going,” said Williams.

Although they may no longer live in walking distance of each other, Harris held the same viewpoint as Williams: “We plan to go to the same college but we might be going to different colleges so we will see each other on breaks.”

Williams and Harris continue to fall in love with each other even after all they encountered together. Altercations in the past made them into the powerful couple they remain today and commonly agree to stay together “forever.”

Starting off as lab partners took an accidental turn for senior Gabe Rivera and junior Abigail Shelly 11 months ago. A friendship became an unconquerable relationship. Identically to Williams and Harris, Rivera and Shelly developed a strong friendship before they decided to turn their friendship into a partnership. In a time of need, Shelly entered Rivera’s life. Struggling to end a prior relationship, Rivera looked to Shelly for advice and comfort. Through the difficult time, Shelly realized the importance of their friendship. As Rivera and Shelly started talking more, their bond together thrived, and Shelly became more than a shoulder to cry on. The couple finally became an item.  

Realistically, depending on where their careers take them in the future, the couple expects to continue their relationship together through senior year and hopefully into college.

The couples love each other as much as any two people can in such an unaccepting high school environment. Young love stands as fearless, passionate, and sometimes troubling, but depending on the relationship, age does not matter. In the year 2015, statistics limit the future for “high school sweethearts.”

Autumn Boekeloo

Couples as strong as Gibbs and Medina encourage each other to do better and focus on their strengths together rather than their weaknesses.

Williams and Harris commonly felt love at first sight, proving the effectiveness of love in young people.

Rivera and Shelly stressed how important developing a stable friendship before jumping into a relationship can be.

The future of the lovers remains unknown, but the way they demonstrate young love inspires every face the couple passes in the hallway. Famous singer and songwriter Elvis Presley puts it best: “Wise men say only fools rush in but I can’t help falling in love with you.”