I was working at a restaurant when I was 16 and became friends with people my age as well as those who were older than me. We all hung out, outside of work. I was very flirtatious, confident and enjoyed being desired by men and women, alike. The first work relationship I had was with a man who was 23. The next one was with someone who was 27. At the time, I didn't see myself for how I was, a kid. I had not fear and enjoyed being treated like an adult. I didn't see anything wrong with dating someone who was 11 years older than me. I also made this man wait for almost a year before being intimate - to prove to myself that he wanted me for more than what other people thought he wanted. Somehow I kept this a secret from my parents for a year and a half. Eventually they found out because I stopped making such an effort to hide our relationship. When they did, I lied and said he was 21. They forbade me from seeing him again and had me start working somewhere else. I did not stop seeing him until I graduated high school and was ready to start a new chapter in college. They never found out I continued to date him.