The interview study reported here sought to identify the perceived trajectory of romantic relationships of a cohort of Oakland African American gay/bisexual adolescents. Biographical interviews were used to identify cultural models of romantic relationships in the study sample and discovered a trajectory of four phases. In the antecedent to the trajectory, the youth enters the gay/bisexual social environment. In the first phase, the youth meets a male partner. In the second phase, the youth "talks to" the partner over a period of days or weeks. In the third phase, the couple enters into a "boyfriend" relationship and initiates sex. In the fourth phase, the couple experiences conflicts over infidelity and breaks up. As a consequence, the gay/bisexual youth experiences an aftermath that includes low self-esteem, trying to get back with the partner, and revenge sex. Each phase is described with informant quotations. Some implications for HIV prevention with these adolescents are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)