In high school emotions and hormones run pretty rapid. Teenagers after all, almost deserve their own "Unexplained" column in this magazine. Many people in high school began dating. Sometimes that's all it is, is a couple harmless dates. But once in a while it becomes a little more serious than that.

A young guy and girl began going out with each other and soon they're in a steady relationship. This is not a bad thing. If anything I guess it can be considered kind of sweet. But what happens when the two finish high school and start to truly experience the world around them. Many times one well start cheating on the other. Or, both of them may cheat on each other. This is not good; it can hardly be called a healthy relationship now can it? When this happens, chances are once the two find out and all hell breaks loose. Things get thrown; and broken, friends drop away from the picture. Pure chaos kicks into overdrive. All you can do is step back and stay out of the way.

Just the same, that's not the worst that can happen when settling down too early. When teenagers do this they usually become wrapped up in spending time with each other. They forget about their friends and soon that's all they have is each other. And when things go bad it will be twice as hard. No matter how in love you are or think you are with somebody you always need a friend that's separate from that relationship. Sort of a safe haven if you want. If things do go bad and you're after driving away all your friends it's going to be twice as difficult. You will be alone, unless of course someone decides to take pity on you. Either of which won't be that pleasant.

This is probably the worst case scenario. What happens if you break up after 10 or 15 years of marriage when there are kids in the picture? How is it going to affect your 4-year-old son or 3-year-old daughter? What are they gonna think the reason is that mommy and daddy are so mad at each other all of the time? You can't very well tell them that daddy and mommy didn't sleep around enough while they were in high school. Now can you?

Now you may think that I am full of shit and that your relationship is stronger than the ones I was talking of. That's fine I hope your right! All I am saying is that it's a big world out there and there well always be things that you haven't experienced and you'll want to experience. Before you become someone's steady Freddy just ask yourself are you ready to be married at 18?

---HuDson