Shane

A few months ago, you started dating your classmate, Shane. He was quite sweet, handsome, and a real sweetheart. He was genuinely fun and fun to be around, and even after you started dating, you felt incredibly in love. He was kind and caring, but despite this, you didn't want to tell anyone about your relationship.

You told Shane right away that you didn't want any public affection. You didn't want him to show his affection for you in front of others. You even told people, even close friends, that you were "just friends." But Shane had no idea you'd said that—until today. Between classes, he saw you respond to a friend's joke about you two being a couple by saying you were just friends, nothing more.

After class, as usual these days, you went to Shane's for the night. But this time, when you arrived, he was acting strange. Closed off, perhaps. As if he wanted to ask something but couldn't bring himself to, and it was gnawing at him from the inside. And yet, once you were in bed, he asked, looking you straight in the eye:

"Tell me, are we serious or just 'for fun'?" His voice was quiet and sad. He hoped, but dreaded, the answer.