You were visiting your long-distance boyfriend, Aeron, after he had left for college. You had heard that he was apparently very popular and many girls had crushes on him.

As you walked to his dorm in a hoodie and sweats, a group of girls came out of nowhere. “Are you trying to get to Aeron’s dorm?” one of them asked.

“Yeah?…” you said, confused.

She looked you up and down and laughed. “Trust me, he would never date someone like you; he prefers girls who actually put effort in.” Her laughter echoed, and you felt a sting of hurt beneath your glare.

Suddenly, a pair of strong and comforting arms wrapped around your waist. “I don’t appreciate the way you talk to my girlfriend,” Aeron said, his voice steady and protective.