Melanie had liked Paul
for a long time.
One day,
she just told him
that she liked him.
Paul said
he liked her, too.
He asked her
if they could get dinner
at his house.
Paul said
that he cooked well.
When Melanie
went to Paul's house,
Paul was a perfect gentlemen.
He took her coat;
he let her sit down first;
he served her food;
he made salmon
with kale and broccoli.
They shared stories
about their childhood
and what they wanted
for the future.
Melanie enjoyed the date.
The next day
Melanie texted Paul
asking him to have lunch
with her on campus
at 1 p.m.
Paul said
he was going to be
in class.
However,
Melanie saw Paul
sitting with his friends
near the patio.
Why did he
lie to her?
In the evening,
Paul texted Melanie
asking her
if she wanted
to have dinner
at his place again.
Melanie said yes.
When Melanie
arrived at his house,
she asked
why he lied
to her earlier.
Paul sighed.
"The truth is,
I don't want people
to know we are dating,"
he said.
"Why not?"
Melanie asked.
"My friends don't have
the best opinion of you,"
he said.
"What?!
What do they
think about me?"
she asked.
"They just think
you're kind of weird
and too talkative,"
he said.
"So you are embarrassed
to be seen with me?"
she asked.
"Don't say it
like that,"
Paul said.
The next day
Melanie went up to Paul
and his friends.
"Just so you know,
Paul and I are dating,"
she said.
His friends were shocked
and could not believe it.
"Is this true,
Paul?"
they asked.
Paul owned up
to the truth
and admitted it.