As the days turned into weeks, Max and I grew closer. We spent every spare moment together, exploring the town, trying new restaurants, and laughing until our sides hurt.
But as our relationship deepened, I started to notice red flags. Max had a temper, and he would get jealous over the smallest things. He would question me about who I was talking to, what I was wearing, and where I was going.
At first, I brushed it off as him being passionate and protective. But as the behavior continued, I started to feel suffocated. I remember one time, we were at the mall, and I stopped to talk to a friend from school. Max got angry, saying that I was flirting with him. I tried to explain that we were just friends, but he wouldn't listen.
"I don't want you talking to him again," he said, his voice low and menacing.
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Max, that's not fair. He's just a friend."
But Max just shook his head. "I don't trust him. And I don't trust you when you're around him."
I tried to reassure him that I would never cheat on him, but he just wouldn't let it go. As we walked home, I felt a sense of unease. I knew that I had to address this behavior, but I didn't know how.
Over the next few weeks, the red flags continued to pop up. Max would get angry if I didn't answer his calls or texts right away. He would show up at my work or school unannounced, just to "check in" on me. I started to feel like I was walking on eggshells, never knowing when he would blow up again.
Despite the warning signs, I was still deeply invested in the relationship. I convinced myself that Max's behavior was a sign of his devotion, that he was just trying to protect me. But deep down, I knew that something was off.