I was perhaps 15 years old. I was in love with Anne-Marie. We went to the same school, we were in the same class. Anne-Marie sat three rows ahead of me and had long auburn hair.

Some or our lessons took place in another school. I carried her bag. In summer I bought ice-cream for her. When it was raining, I carried her umbrella. And Anne-Marie always smiled at me.

Every year we had a one day school trip to some place. Either we went to the alps. Or to a museum. Or to the public swimming pool. And Anne-Marie always sat with me. She made sandwiches for me.

She was lovely and I loved her. And I wanted to tell her. But I was shy. And I did not tell her. But I thought that she might be in love with me too. After all, we were always sticking together and she was so sweet with me.

And then came the day. We had a school party, in the afternoon, in a nice little dancing which had been made available for us. We only drank soft drinks and did not smoke. Nothing, no cigarettes, no wee.

The party was going on, we danced, we had fun.And then, after having danced some "smoochy, smoochy" with Anne-Marie, we sat down and she looked at me. With the sweetest smile you can imgagine. She came closer to me and said: "Peter, I would like to tell you something".

I started to climb towards heaven. And Anne-Marie said: "Peter, you have always been so nice with me, I feel good when I am with you. I am shy about it, but you know, I have to tell you. I am madly in love with Kurt. As he is your best friend, could you not hint it to him. I am so afraid that he will reject me".

Well, heaven turned into hell. And this was the first time in my life I had a broken heart.

It was not the last time.