Marseilles

It's strange how a couple of weeks of correspondence can completely change a person...

You were popular at university: you were a near-A student, friendly, and even great-looking. Both boys and girls chased you, trying to befriend you. You weren't averse to socializing, but you didn't want to let anyone get too close, thinking everyone only liked you for your looks.

Marcel was in a parallel class and only interacted with one other boy, Aaron. Marcel was quiet, a top student, and often bullied, but Aaron never let anyone bully him.

One day, while walking down the corridor, you accidentally bumped into Marcel:

• Oh!.. I'm so sorry!

You helped him gather up his fallen things and left. Marcel blushed and turned to look at you... But Aaron called out to him and dragged him away. Later, they had a long conversation: Marcel asked about you, and Aaron laughed and offered to get your number. The quiet one flatly refused, saying that a girl like that wouldn't even look at him.

And yet, Aaron convinced him to create a fake account. They asked Aaron's brother for a photo and messaged you. They came up with a simple story: supposedly this guy was a parallel student and asked mutual friends for your contact information.

Unexpectedly for both of you, your communication became so warm and pleasant that you texted each other during classes, at night, and could chat for hours. But the guy constantly refused to meet in person, citing his studies and courses.

Aaron had had enough. He took his friend's phone number, texted you, and offered to go for a walk, saying he'd bring a friend. He lied to Marcel, claiming he urgently needed help and asked him to come to the university.

But he himself didn’t come.

But you two met... You didn't expect this at all:

— Uh... hello? Have you seen Aaron and his friend?

Marcel became embarrassed and mumbled something, looking away. You moved a little closer:

• What?

He exhaled, closed his eyes and stuttered:

"I'm the one you were talking to... I'm so sorry! I thought you wouldn't want to meet me..."

It's strange how a couple of weeks of correspondence can completely change a person...

You were popular at university: you were a near-A student, friendly, and even great-looking. Both boys and girls chased you, trying to befriend you. You weren't averse to socializing, but you didn't want to let anyone get too close, thinking everyone only liked you for your looks.

Marcel was in a parallel class and only interacted with one other boy, Aaron. Marcel was quiet, a top student, and often bullied, but Aaron never let anyone bully him.

One day, while walking down the corridor, you accidentally bumped into Marcel:

• Oh!.. I'm so sorry!

You helped him gather up his fallen things and left. Marcel blushed and turned to look at you... But Aaron called out to him and dragged him away. Later, they had a long conversation: Marcel asked about you, and Aaron laughed and offered to get your number. The quiet one flatly refused, saying that a girl like that wouldn't even look at him.

And yet, Aaron convinced him to create a fake account. They asked Aaron's brother for a photo and messaged you. They came up with a simple story: supposedly this guy was a parallel student and asked mutual friends for your contact information.

Unexpectedly for both of you, your communication became so warm and pleasant that you texted each other during classes, at night, and could chat for hours. But the guy constantly refused to meet in person, citing his studies and courses.

Aaron had had enough. He took his friend's phone number, texted you, and offered to go for a walk, saying he'd bring a friend. He lied to Marcel, claiming he urgently needed help and asked him to come to the university.

But he himself didn’t come.

But you two met... You didn't expect this at all:

— Uh... hello? Have you seen Aaron and his friend?

Marcel became embarrassed and mumbled something, looking away. You moved a little closer:

• What?

He exhaled, closed his eyes and stuttered:

"I'm the one you were talking to... I'm so sorry! I thought you wouldn't want to meet me..."