Sure! Here’s the reworded version of the text with the same structure and HTML tags preserved:
—
### Discovering Love Outside Conventional Social Media
Although platforms such as Instagram and TikTok reign supreme on the web, some individuals favor calmer, less conventional online environments.
“I often feel overwhelmed by social media,” remarks 19-year-old Lauren, who treasures her connection with her long-distance boyfriend, Charlie, via Discord. Notably, their romance started on a different, lesser-known platform: Quotev.
Quotev, which was previously recognized as Quizazz, is a site tailored for quizzes and fan fiction, mainly aimed at teenagers. Lauren and Charlie initially met there nearly five years ago when they were both 15, and their relationship has strengthened over time.
### A Bond Formed Through Writing
Their journey began when Lauren stumbled upon Charlie’s writing on Quotev.
“This was before I even realized I wanted to pursue a career in journalism,” Lauren states. Now a published author with pieces featured in *The Nation* and *Teen Vogue*, she remembers being genuinely impressed by Charlie’s work. “I thought, ‘I need to stay connected with this person. They’re awesome. I want to be their friend.'”
At first, they exchanged messages through Quotev, which previously offered more social features that have since been phased out. As their trust deepened, they switched to chatting on Discord and texting. Nowadays, they converse for hours daily about school, life, and their mutual passion for writing—even if their interests don’t always coincide.
“We both share a love for writing, and that’s our main focus,” Lauren says. She uncovered her love for journalism at 16, and their shared enthusiasm for storytelling has been fundamental to their relationship.
In addition to mutual interests, Lauren appreciates their daily chats. “We speak for hours every day, and that kind of ordinary connection is really lovely. I actually prefer that to just having shared hobbies.”
### Keeping Their Relationship Under Wraps
Even with their strong bond, Lauren has not disclosed Charlie to her parents.
“We met when we were quite young, and at that time, you can’t just approach your parents and say, ‘Hey, I met someone online and we’re dating,'” she shares. Concerns regarding online safety made her reluctant to disclose their relationship, though she admits that at 15, she wasn’t overly concerned about those risks.
Currently, the secrecy persists for a different motive. Both Lauren and Charlie identify as queer and trans, and Lauren, who utilizes both she and they pronouns, has yet to come out to her parents.
“I’m very open about it in other contexts, especially online, but it’s still a hurdle I have to face,” Lauren admits.
This secrecy has also inhibited them from meeting face-to-face—despite residing in the American South, circumstances have kept their relationship confined to the online realm. But that is about to shift.
### Meeting In Person for the First Time
Lauren and Charlie are set to finally meet this year.
“I’m graduating from community college in May, and Charlie is planning to attend my ceremony,” Lauren reveals. After she transitions to a four-year university, they aspire to cohabit, as she’ll be residing off-campus.
“Hopefully, exciting developments are on the horizon,” she expresses.
While she’s enthusiastic about meeting Charlie in person, she harbors anxiety regarding concealing him from her parents.
“I need to devise a plan,” Lauren confesses. She has contemplated telling her parents that Charlie is merely a friend, but years of concealing the truth have taken their toll.
“I’ve maintained this secret for five years, but in truth, I’ve been hiding my queerness my entire life. It’s draining, but the fear is still profoundly real.”
Sadly, Lauren’s experience is not unique. Research from The Trevor Project, an advocacy group for LGBTQ youth, indicates that one-third of LGBTQ young individuals encounter parental rejection, while another third delay coming out until adulthood.
“The truth will ultimately surface, but I’m uncertain about how I feel regarding that,” she adds.
### A Relationship That Defies Norms
After nearly five years together, the prospect of finally meeting in person seems surreal to Lauren.
“We’ve always aspired to be together face-to-face, and now we’re on the verge of making that a reality,” she shares.
While some might question the authenticity of a solely online relationship, Lauren considers herself incredibly fortunate to have encountered Charlie.
“As I approach 20, people observe a relationship like mine—five years online, high school sweethearts—and they ponder, ‘How did you achieve this?'” she states.
Despite the hurdles, she has no regrets about meeting Charlie on Quotev.
“Even if we haven’t met in person, I wouldn’t alter how things transpired. If something were to occur between us, I wouldn’t seek another online relationship. But that doesn’t mean I regret this.”