Chapter 1 : Childish Fantasies

I've always liked Popeye.

Ever since my childhood, I remembered huddling up all snug and cozy on the living room couch, a bag of my favorite snack clutched in between my small, girlish seven-year-old-hands, and the rest of me, cushy on the velvety pillows.

I would sit down on that couch for hours on end, eyes glued to the television screen, hands mindlessly reaching into the bag to pull out another cookie which would end up in my crunching mouth.

Popeye was my favorite cartoon when I was a little girl. I thought he was pretty cute for a fictional character. He had those huge, bulky muscles and that gangster-look that came perfectly with his over-protective yet gentlemanly ways. He never failed to make sure his girlfriend -Olive Oly- was always safe and away from harm.

I never told anyone- but secretly, how I wished I had a boyfriend like that, too!

I know it's strange for a seven-year old to have fantasies for the perfect boyfriend, but that's just me. For years, I wanted for the perfect prince charming to sweep me off my feet. No such luck.

It was depressing, really.
I didn't understand why not? I was a good, clean girl with every intention on giving everything a boy wanted. I was ready to give them love. I was sad about years of not getting picked up, watching several of my friends cruise by with their new boyfriends, with the juicy gossip to boot.

Frankly, I was a little envious. But I kept a smile. I didn't want anyone to worry about me. I mean, who would care anyway, right? They were happy with their new boyfriends and all...

Sometimes, I felt like giving up. And I swore I was just on the edge of doing so when I finally met HIM.

I was 14, going 15, and it was in the middle of the month of May.

That's when I met him, my prince charming.

That's when I met my Popeye. ♥