You fall in love with the boy everyone tells you not to. There is no rhyme or reason other than he says all the right things and you believe him. He is gonna tell you that you are the best thing that's ever happened to him and you've changed his life and how beautiful you are. He also tells you that the person he is texting is just a friend from school, or that they are old friends from high school or that his ex-girlfriend is just being her crazy self as normal and not to worry about it. He also makes you believe what your friends and parents are telling you isn't true and you are the only one who actually knows him, not them and you are 18 so you have to make your own decision. Let me tell you something, everything you thought you knew and everything he told you is a lie. Here is a short list of five things I learned from the lying, cheating boy who broke my heart, to hopefully help you with yours.

1. If your parents doubt him, then so should you.

The first time I told my parents we were going on a date they were not happy. We got in a fight and my old principal, AKA my dad, told me he knew who he was and I should've believed him! (Even though I rarely admit it, he was 110 percent right.)

2. If your best friends are sketchy about him, then you should be too.

I remember sitting in ASL class and one of my best friends telling me to stay far away from him. I remember telling my best friend since first grade I was crushing on this boy, and she wasn't sure I should be, but she stood by me anyway.

3. He isn't worth a family fight.

When he causes you to go against your parents and everyone else in your family and causes a huge fight, that's when you should walk away from him. Your family has stood next to you your whole life, not him.

4. He isn't worth self-doubt.

All the lies he feeds you and the manipulation makes you believe that you are less than you are and that you have to compete with someone or something to win him. Well, you don't. The guy for you or one who truly loves you, doesn't make you feel that way. Trust me, I know.

Finally,

5. Move on and LET IT GO.

I say this as nicely as one can, but he REALLY is not worth it. Holding on to the terrible memories and feelings hurts no one but YOU. So hate him, forget about him or whatever. Don't ever forget what you went through, because there is no point in going through that again, but don't let it bring you down. You are worth so much more than what he made you believe.

So when your family and friends tell you one thing, but he tells you another, trust me on this, and take their word for it. Know that you are beautiful and worthy, and no one is worth that much pain and struggling. You deserve the best this world has to offer. So, when you experience one of these red flags, know that he isn't the one and get out of the relationship. The best is yet to come!