He was often teased and bullied (Bell 2). However, unlike most adolescents who are continuously tormented, Ted was able " to maintain a high grade average that would continue throughout high school and later into college," (Bell 2). His high grade point average was fueled by an overwhelming interest in politics. Ted constantly kept up on current events and religiously read up on political events. In fact, some of those who knew Ted while he was in school, thought he would one day aspire to be governor. Around the age of twenty, he seemed to develop " a preoccupation with sex and violence and sought out pornographic materials that centered on the use, abuse, and possession of women as objects," (Sears 3). During the same time period, Ted broke out of his social enclosure and took part in his first sexual experience. The woman's name was Stephanie Brooks who attended the University of Washington along with Bundy. It was obvious that Ted was overcome by her beauty and was " deeply infatuated- with her (Sears 3). However, these feelings were not exactly mutual. Following her graduation from the university, Stephanie broke off the relationship with Bundy and basically crushed him. Ted's life would never be the same. The only other true love that Ted had had by his side throughout his life was school, but now, without Stephanie, even school seemed insignificant to him. It was only a matter of time before he dropped out of the University of Washington. Ted vowed to change his life style and win back Stephanie by impressing her as this new man with morals and goals. Eventually, he did become a different person, "He changed from a shy and introverted person to a more focused and dominant character," (Bell 3), but that was not necessarily for the better. By the time Bundy was 23, he finally learned of his "true parentage" (Bell 3). He was now on a mission, attempting to prove himself to the world (Bell 3).