Behind The Lies by Mark Beckner (the chimp paradox .txt) 📗

side. Will he be able to converse with Wendy? Will she still be attracted to him once she finds out who he is? Will he be humiliated? Is this some major prank? Yet, Aaron’s desire to have a girlfriend, especially one as nice and beautiful as Wendy keeps him from backing out.

“I have something for you, here,” Brad states, as he hands Aaron Wendy’s yellow scarf.

“What’s this?” inquires Aaron.

“It’s the scarf you found outside the cafeteria today. It belongs to Wendy”

“Huh?” Aaron looks bewildered.

“I think tomorrow it will be time to see if she will meet up with you. This scarf is some insurance that she will say yes when you tell her you found it and want to return it.”

“How do you know it’s hers?” asks Aaron.

“Because I took it numb nuts.”

“You stole her scarf?” Aaron asks in astonishment.

“Noooooo……I borrowed it so that you would be able to return it to her.”

“I don’t know about this,” protests Aaron.

“Hey,” responds Brad, “you just need to trust me, this is going to work out well. Now let’s send a couple more texts.”

Brad then dictates a couple of texts to Wendy to initiate the idea of a meetup on Thursday after school; I’m interested in talking with you in person. Would you be willing to meet with me after school on Thursday?

Wendy quickly responds, yes, but only if I know who you are.

Brad has Aaron text; I’ll let you know soon and then you can decide.

OK, responds Wendy.

After school lets out for the day, Wendy has not yet heard back from her secret admirer. She is full of anticipation as she anxiously awaits receiving another text. Who could it be? She keeps coming up with different possibilities, but doesn’t know enough about this secret admirer to have any idea. Will she like him? Is he cute? Katy Anderson is just about as excited as Wendy is.

“So, today is the big day!” exclaims Katy as they walk home from school. “I’m anxious to know who he is.”

“Not nearly as anxious as I am,” Wendy responds. “I keep thinking about this secret guy and had trouble sleeping last night. It’s scary, yet exciting at the same time. I just hope he is not some type of creep or this is a big joke.”

“I don’t think so,” assures Katy. “He knows too much about you and seems interested in the things you like. Hopefully, we know soon enough.”

About 5 minutes later, Wendy receives the text she has been waiting for. Hi Wendy, this is Aaron Livingston, your secret admirer. Sorry I didn’t tell you who I was earlier, but as I told you, I am shy around girls and this was a way I could approach you to talk. If you don’t want anything else to do with me, I understand.

“Aaron Livingston,” Wendy murmurs to herself. She knows who he is from a couple of previous classes and of course from seeing him often in the corner of the cafeteria with his friends playing video games. Well, he IS a nice guy, Wendy believes. At least as much as I know about him, and he cares about his studies as I do. He’s also kind of cute in his shy way.

Wendy quickly allows Katy to read the latest text. “What do you think?” Wendy asks.

“I think this is real,” says Katy. “He is not the type of guy to pull a prank like this. I think he likes you and this was his way of getting to know you. He’s a bit nerdy in a cute sort of way; and has always been nice from what I’ve seen.”

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing,” Wendy adds. “We do have some things in common and he certainly doesn’t present any danger. I’m going to agree to meet with him and see how it goes.”

As they are talking, Wendy receives another text from Aaron. By the way, I found a yellow scarf outside the cafeteria today. I think it might be yours.

“He found my scarf!” exclaims Wendy. “Yesterday outside the cafeteria.”

“That’s weird,” responds Katy, “we looked all over for it.”

“Well, I don’t think he stole it. He’s not the type to do that sort of thing,” says Wendy. “Even if it doesn’t work out, I can at least get my scarf back.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” asks Katy.

“No, I think we need some time to talk alone,” Wendy says. “I don’t want to embarrass him.”

Wendy texts Aaron, Thank you Aaron. I would like to meetup and talk. And yes, I believe you have my scarf. When and where?

“Okay,” Brad instructs Aaron. “Tell her to meet you tomorrow after school out back near the creek. You will walk her home.”

“Why back there?” asks Aaron with a puzzled look.

“Because it will be private, won’t be many, if any, people around so you won’t have to worry about being embarrassed around others if it doesn’t work out.”

Makes sense to Aaron. He follows Brad’s advice and asks Wendy to meet him after school tomorrow back by the creek and he will walk her home. She responds that she has orchestra practice after school, but can meet afterward at around 5:30. Aaron agrees, but he is still apprehensive about meeting her face to face.

“I’m not sure what to say to her Brad.”

Don’t worry,” Brad assures Aaron, “I will go with you to introduce the two of you and if it goes bad, we can leave. But it won’t; she likes you or she wouldn’t be meeting with you. Pick me up at Johnson’s Café at five-fifteen tomorrow. We’ll drive over together. And don’t forget to bring the scarf.”

This plan somewhat eases Aaron’s fear. Brad has gotten him this far; he can’t quit now. “Okay, I’ll see you then,” says Aaron.

Aaron will be sure to avoid running into Wendy at school tomorrow. He will skip going to the cafeteria to meet his friends. Now that Wendy knows who he is, he does not want to face her in school. He