Academic Romance

3

A few days have passed since I met Meliodas. We've been getting closer and closer. I'm just worried about starting school. I've never been very good at socializing, for a number of reasons. Mainly because it's difficult for me to make eye contact without fidgeting.

Hopefully I have at least one class with Meliodas.

He showed me where the school was and how to get home. He also showed me some cool sites in the city! Like the statue of the supreme deity of the goddesses who lived nearly 3,000 years ago. I thought that was the best site.

"Elizabeth!! Come downstairs!" I heard Margaret yell from downstairs.

"Okay!" I replied. I hopped off my bed and quickly made my way down into the living room, where I saw none other than Meliodas standing in the doorway.

"Oh, hey Mel. What brings you here?" I asked.

"I have plans today, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" He asked with his usual cheeky grin. I smiled and nodded.

"Of course, let me just get dressed!" I replied, making my way back upstairs. As I made it to my door, I could faintly hear my sisters harassing him with ridiculous questions.

"I'm sorry, Meliodas.." I thought to myself with a sigh. I quickly threw on a nice shirt with a pair of jeans and did my makeup and hurried back downstairs.

"Veronica, Margaret, please stop harassing my friend." I scolded. They looked at me with smiles and walked away from Meliodas. They ran upstairs, giggling.

"I'm sorry about them.." I sighed.

"Don't worry about it! I bet my brothers would do the same thing if they met you."

I smiled. Before we walked out the door, I remembered my father.

"Oh! Hold on a second, Mel. I need to write my dad a note." I said, walking into the kitchen and rummaging through drawers.

My dad works at a bank. He just started today but since he told us his hours, I knew he was going to be home soon. So I needed to write him a note to let him know I left with Meliodas again. I put the note on the counter and ran out the door with Meliodas.

"So, where are we going?" I asked.

"My friends wanted to hang out today, and I just thought you should meet them!" He said happily.

"O-Oh." was all I could manage to say. He looked at me worriedly.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing. It's just- While I'm sure your friends are nice people, I've just never been very good at socializing."

He was quiet. I was worried I had hurt his feelings. Right before I could utter another word out of my mouth, he started talking.

"Do you want to talk to me about it?" He asked, genuine concern in his voice. I nodded. We stopped walking and sat down on a curb on the side of the road.

"I'm not even sure where to start. I'll just tell you some of the worst cases that have happened to me." I said before taking a deep breath. I began to talk. I told him about everything that happened to me.

(Elizabeth's backstory)

I sat alone in my first grade classroom while everyone else mingled and talked to their friend groups. It was crafting time, but it seemed like I was the only one actually doing work. Two girls came up to me and started teasing me. I just let it happen because my anxiety had me frozen. They broke my crafts and laughed at me for being alone.

Then in middle school, the same girls kept harassing me for weeks on end. They always placed nasty notes in my locker, saying things like how I'll never have friends and I'll always be alone for as long as I live. I didn't even cry, because I knew they were right. It gradually got worse as we got older. This went on for years until I finally moved.

(End of Elizabeth's backstory)

"Elizabeth, that's horrible." He said, grabbing my hands. I looked at him. "I won't let people do that to you, I swear." I smiled.

"Of course, I know that!" was all I could think of saying.

"Anyways," He said, standing up. "Let's keep going. They're waiting for us at the park!"