OLTL ~ Young Love

One Life To Live is pretty great right now. After so long, I finally have a couple that I am so in love with. Usually it's difficult to like teen stories. But when they work, they're impossible not to enjoy. They especially work when they're focused on characters not aged and already beloved.

Starr Manning is growing up before our very eyes by Kristen Alderson, who stepped into the role around ten years ago. We watched Starr as a bratty child, and now she is a teenager. She has always been special, being a product of the infamous Todd and Blair. Now she is also dating an older guy, with whom she has so much chemistry.

I love Starr and Cole so much! They're so sweet together. And since the world is against them, it's hard not to root for them. It doesn't even matter that Cole should be WAY younger than Starr; they work!

It wasn't that long ago that I was a teenager, but I never dated. So, there was no trouble between guys and my parents. Thus, it's SO frustrating to be a Starr and Cole fan! Their parents want them apart. WHY? It's ridiculous! Starr and Cole are adorable and in love. All they are doing is dating; no one is getting hurt. Why can't they be together?

Okay...yes, months ago Cole used steroids and went on a rampage in front of Starr. He didn't hurt her! He didn't try to rape her! All he did was tear the room apart! And the things he was saying was the drugs talking. He got past all that. He stopped using the steroids; he was kicked off the football team. He and Starr have moved on from that terrible time. Why can't their parents move on?

And why can't their parents listen to them? Starr and Cole can't even get a word in about anything; they don't get the chance to explain their relationship. I know they've been lying to their parents about seeing each other, so their parents would have a hard time believing anything they say. But they'd tell the truth about their relationship if only their parents would just talk with them and hear their side of things. But that hasn't happened...

Their parents are acting like children. Marty's the most sane one; I think she wants them apart just to protect Cole from the wraths of Todd and Blair. Todd is the maniac. He believes just because of one incident that Cole can never change and not hurt Starr. And Blair... She just wants them apart because she hates Marty.

Starr and Cole love their parents, but in their eyes their parents are completely wrong. And they're right. Cole would never hurt Starr, and he would never force her to do anything she isn't ready for. And they are in love! When two people love each other, nothing can keep them apart. Their parents are blind.

But what can I do? And what can Starr & Cole do? They're teenagers. Not much can be done, which is why they reverted to sneaking around in order to be together. And recently they tried to run away. Sounded like a great idea, but they were caught by their parents, who won't let them explain anything. Parents believe what they want to believe, and they don't want to let their children go and grow up.

Hence, Starr and Cole's story is a long and frustrating one. But that's what makes it so great. They're in love, but they can't be together. When there's a likable couple in that situation, the frustration is worth it. It'll be a huge reward when they can be together. Great scenes there will be when (if) that happens.

Until then we need to hope for the best and bask in the past... I have two favorite Starr/Cole moments: their night babysitting little Tommy and their whole night alone at the ski cabin.

Nelly Furtado was playing at Capricorn, where all parents were. Michael and Marcie went too, so Starr had to babysit. It was perfect for her and Cole to be together. It was sweet and simple - pizza and a movie. Sure, they shared some kisses, and they talked about sex two important things for a young couple. But most importantly, they had that perfect evening without getting caught.

There was a Winter Festival at Llantano Mountain. Parents went, and Starr & Cole were convinced to go too. They didn't know their parents were there until they were already there. They avoided them, and the place became snowed in for the night. Starr and Cole managed to get a room just for them, and it was the most romantic time of their lives. They were together for the whole night, and they said, "I love you," to each other. And I got what I hoped for... They didn't have sex, which is good since they are so young. Instead, they slept in each other's arms and woke up together. It's so beautiful when a couple does that and sex isn't even in the picture.

But that time of course was ruined because that time they did get caught, and everything went so far down hill. Very sad indeed.

But let's end on a positive... Starr and Cole are wonderful together, and their parents are nuts.

The defense of a teenage love rests.