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00:00Hi everyone, I'm Meredith and I can't trust anyone, but I have a good reason for that.
00:05Want to know more? Like and subscribe to MSA.
00:07My dad was the most special person in my life.
00:10He made me homemade milkshakes and taught me how to throw a kick and a punch when I was only six years old.
00:14He always said that I should know how to take care of myself and I thought he could do no wrong.
00:19Except a day after my 11th birthday, I woke up to mom crying.
00:23What's wrong?
00:24Your dad left.
00:25Like left to get some milk?
00:27No, he left us, Mare.
00:29Look at this note.
00:30He'd been stressed for weeks at his job and I thought he'd be okay, but I guess he wasn't.
00:34I tried calling him too, but he left his cell phone at home.
00:37What? Dad can't leave me just like that.
00:40He tells me everything.
00:41I'm sure there's some mistake.
00:42He must be around the corner.
00:44And I darted outside the house and started running around the neighborhood screaming for dad,
00:48but he really wasn't around.
00:50Finally, mom caught up to me and took me home and I was a crying mess for days.
00:56We tried looking for dad for weeks, but it was like he'd vanished into thin air.
01:00I was heartbroken and since then, I just couldn't trust anyone around me.
01:04What made it worse was that mom started dating soon after and she had the worst taste in men.
01:09This one time, mom invited her boyfriend over and he ended up stealing all her jewelry.
01:14And another time, she introduced me to this guy who was arrested a week later for robbing a bank.
01:19So yeah, my home life was a mess, but at least I had school.
01:23I was a good student who loved writing poetry.
01:26And by the time I was 16, I was writing poems for a small publication
01:30and also leading the school newspaper.
01:32Life was good until this new guy Xander joined my class.
01:36At first, he didn't bother me at all and always had this permanent frown plastered on his face.
01:40He hardly spoke to anyone in class,
01:42and a few times he was rude to the teacher and got sent to detention.
01:45Then one day in the gym, I was sitting on the bleachers
01:48when this ball came flying out of nowhere and hit me in the head.
01:51Ow!
01:52Watch it, morons!
01:53I could have died!
01:54But you didn't.
01:55And you're in a gym class.
01:56We're supposed to play here, not sit in a corner and sulk over a notebook.
01:59Now give me that ball!
02:01Apologize first!
02:02Bite me!
02:03With that, Xander snatched the ball from my hand and left.
02:06I was so mad, I charged after him to give him a piece of my mind.
02:09But instead, I tripped and fell right into Rod's arms.
02:13He was my senior and the captain of the football team.
02:15Girls tripped over each other to get a glimpse of Rod's handsome face and athletic body.
02:20And looking into his green eyes, I could see why.
02:23I'm sorry, I just lost my balance.
02:25And I think I lost my heart.
02:27Are you okay?
02:28I'm fine.
02:28Sure about that?
02:29You could have a concussion.
02:30You know, we've never had a chance to talk,
02:32but I think we'll have a pretty good conversation.
02:34How about we find that out over dinner?
02:36I don't eat dinner.
02:37Coffee?
02:38Nope.
02:38Water, then?
02:39I'm late for class, but thanks for the help.
02:41And I just quickly left before Rod saw my knees shaking.
02:44I knew most girls would kill for a date with him,
02:47but all men were jerks, so I decided to ignore Rod.
02:50But boy, Rod was persistent.
02:52He would send me flowers in class, leave chocolates and notes in my locker,
02:56and one time, he even showed up at my home in a limousine.
02:59I was just trying to figure out how to get rid of him when Mom walked into my room.
03:03That boy looks fancy.
03:04Yeah, whatever.
03:05I'm not interested.
03:06He will break my heart like Dad broke yours,
03:08and you don't know that.
03:09Not all men are the same.
03:10Now get dressed and go.
03:12I reluctantly agreed to go out with Rod, and it wasn't so bad.
03:15He was cute and fun, and he took me to this cool pizza place.
03:19So I was wondering, you could date anyone.
03:22Why me?
03:22Because you're smart.
03:24I've never dated smart girls before.
03:26Did you just call me a nerd?
03:27No, I called you a pretty nerd.
03:30You're sweet, unlike that rude Xander.
03:32He's such a brat.
03:33You'd know him, actually.
03:34He's on the football team.
03:36Xander has always had temper issues.
03:37If I were you, I'd stay away from him.
03:39Anyway, let's not spoil our date by talking about him
03:42and concentrate on more important things, like me.
03:45Rod reached for my hand, and my stomach felt like it was in knots.
03:48We ended up talking some more before Rod dropped me home,
03:51and soon after, we started dating.
03:53School was twice as fun with Rod around.
03:56We'd have lunch together, and Rod would take me to these amazing parties,
03:59and things were going well.
04:01But then one day, I walked into my class and saw Xander bullying a student.
04:05I barged in and pushed Xander off.
04:07What's your problem, weirdo?
04:09Just mind your own business.
04:10I will when you stop treating people like trash.
04:13I was just asking some questions about chemistry.
04:16I'm not blind or stupid.
04:17Just get away from this poor guy, or...
04:19Or what? You'll hit me, princess?
04:21Xander inched closer, and I could feel his breath on my face.
04:25I wanted to move, but I just felt numb.
04:27And seconds later, the teacher walked in, and we all went back to our seats.
04:30I tried to ignore Xander after that, but I guess luck wasn't on my side,
04:34because a week later, I was picking up a cake for Mom's birthday at the local cafe,
04:38when someone tapped on my shoulder.
04:40May I take your order, ma'am?
04:42You!
04:42I don't remember the last time I turned around and didn't see your face.
04:46I don't like looking at your face either.
04:48It doesn't look like that. In fact, it looks like you're stalking me.
04:51Excuse me, but before I could get another word out,
04:54my stomach made a loud rumbling noise.
04:57Xander's face softened, and he smiled.
04:59Looks like someone's starving.
05:01I'm fine.
05:01Just come with me. You can be angry while you eat.
05:04I wanted to say no, but my stomach made another really loud sound.
05:08Xander took me to the back kitchen and quickly fixed me a sandwich.
05:11As I gulped it down, a cat crawled in, and Xander filled a bowl of milk for it.
05:16I watched him play with the cat, and he looked so calm and peaceful.
05:20And really cute.
05:21If you keep staring like that, I'll get uncomfortable.
05:25Thank you. You're good. I mean, the sandwich is good.
05:28It's my specialty. My mom taught me.
05:29And you're staring again!
05:31Sorry, I was just wondering.
05:32You're rude to teachers, you barely have friends,
05:35and you pretend like you're mean, but you're actually soft.
05:38You're nothing like I imagined.
05:40You're nothing like I imagined either.
05:42Meredith, why are you with Rod?
05:44What do you mean?
05:45I mean, he's not what he looks like.
05:47I know it's not my place, but I don't think he's right for you.
05:50You're right, it's not your place.
05:52And why should I listen to you?
05:53You're literally the biggest bully in school.
05:56Just because you fixed me a sandwich,
05:57doesn't mean you get to comment on my personal life.
05:59You're taking this the wrong way.
06:01I guess I was taking it the wrong way.
06:03But now, everything is clear.
06:04Thanks for the sandwich, and bye-bye.
06:06And with that, I just picked up my cake at the counter and left.
06:09But I couldn't stop thinking about what Xander had said.
06:12What did he mean that Rod wasn't what he looked like?
06:14I wanted to talk to Rod about it the next day in school,
06:17but he was absent.
06:18I tried calling him, but his phone wasn't reachable.
06:21So I decided to go to his place.
06:22I was at the gate when suddenly I saw Rod screaming at some woman.
06:26What do you mean you can't do the job anymore?
06:28Tell Xander that I still have the video proof,
06:30and I will send him to jail if he doesn't get me what I asked for.
06:34But he's already done so much for you.
06:36Please, sir, we are poor and invulnerable,
06:38but you're rich and kind.
06:40Please understand.
06:42Don't touch me, you filthy woman!
06:44And just tell your son that if he doesn't deliver the papers by tonight,
06:48I will show the video to my dad and have him arrested.
06:51Rod pushed the poor woman away, and she fell on the ground
06:54while he simply smirked and left.
06:56I rushed to help her up, but before I could ask her anything,
06:58she started wailing and ran away.
07:01What was happening?
07:02Xander's mom knew Rod, and from what I heard,
07:05Rod had some video he was using to blackmail Xander.
07:08What was this video?
07:09And what papers was Xander delivering?
07:11I wanted to get to the root of everything,
07:13so I waited all evening outside Xander's cafe where he worked
07:16and then followed him.
07:17To my surprise, he parked his bike outside Rod's house,
07:21slowly making his way to a slanted door on the ground.
07:24Xander opened the lid of the door and jumped in.
07:26I left my bike behind as I made my way to the same basement door
07:30and saw Xander throw a huge envelope on Rod's face.
07:33These are all the exam papers you wanted.
07:34We're done.
07:35And one more thing, if you ever touch my mom again,
07:38I swear I will bury you alive.
07:40Don't be so mad, pretty boy.
07:42Also, we're far from done.
07:44You still have to write me that essay for my college application.
07:47Make sure it's perfect, or you know what I can do, don't you?
07:51I've already done everything I can, Rod.
07:53Just quit torturing me.
07:54It's nothing to what you'll go through in jail.
07:57All I need to do is make one phone call
07:59and tell the police how you stole from my dad.
08:01Rod smirked at Xander in the most evil way
08:04before moving closer and spitting in his face.
08:07Xander lost it and hit Rod,
08:09and the two of them got into a huge fight.
08:11I wanted to do something, but before I could,
08:13the basement door I was leaning on broke,
08:15and I dropped to the floor.
08:16Thankfully, it wasn't too high,
08:18or I would have ended up breaking my bones.
08:20Both Xander and Rod looked at me in shock as I got up.
08:23Meredith, oh my god, are you okay?
08:25I'm fine.
08:26Step away from her.
08:27She's my girlfriend.
08:28What are you going to do, spit in my face again?
08:30You bet I will.
08:32Rod tried hitting Xander again,
08:33but this time I got in the way and pushed him away.
08:36Don't hurt him.
08:37Why are you so worried about this worm?
08:39You like him, don't you?
08:41I dated you even though you're way beneath me.
08:44You should be thanking me,
08:45but instead you're choosing him?
08:47I'm not choosing anyone,
08:49but I do know now that I don't want to be
08:51with a psychopath like you.
08:53Rod turned to me with crazy eyes,
08:55and I thought he was about to hit me
08:56when suddenly his dad barged in.
08:58He must have heard the noise when the door crashed.
09:00What is this mess?
09:02Xander, what are you doing here?
09:04Dad, Xander is a thief.
09:05Remember you lost your favorite watch?
09:07It was Xander who took that.
09:09See, I have proof.
09:10Everything was caught on camera.
09:12Rod's dad looked at Xander in shock
09:14as Rod showed him the whole video,
09:16and then Xander explained the whole story.
09:18Apparently, his mom worked with Rod's family
09:20as a housekeeper,
09:21and he and his little sister grew up with Rod's family.
09:24Last year, my sister was diagnosed
09:26with a lung condition.
09:27We really needed a lot of money for the treatment,
09:29but mom didn't have any.
09:31So one day while the whole family was away,
09:33I broke in, stole one of your watches,
09:35and sold it to pay for my sister's treatment.
09:37I thought I'd somehow collect the money
09:38and replace the watch eventually,
09:40but Rod found out,
09:41and since then he's been blackmailing me
09:43to cheat on his college applications.
09:45He told me that you'd cut him off
09:46if he didn't get into a good college, sir.
09:48I didn't want to go to jail,
09:50so I did what he said,
09:51but Rod's demands never stopped.
09:53I'm so sorry.
09:54Xander broke down in tears,
09:55and I felt so bad for him.
09:57Thankfully, Rod's dad understood and forgave Xander
10:00and said he wouldn't press charges.
10:02Rod lost his mind
10:03and started throwing things like a maniac,
10:05but his dad called in security
10:07and they dragged Rod away.
10:09Xander escorted me outside and called me a cab.
10:11We were waiting when he finally spoke.
10:14Meredith, I've never said this before
10:15because you were with Rod,
10:16but I really like you.
10:18I always have.
10:19You're a good guy, Xander,
10:20but I can't be with someone I can't trust.
10:22You should have just told Rod's dad the truth.
10:24I know I was a coward,
10:26but I felt I didn't have a choice.
10:27You always have a choice.
10:29You had the choice of being honest.
10:31Meredith, I...
10:32I want to go.
10:33Saying that, I slid into the cab and left.
10:35Leaving Xander alone.
10:36I didn't hear from Rod again,
10:38but Xander tried calling me a million times
10:41and I ignored him.
10:42I didn't even want to go to school
10:44and felt totally lost.
10:45I guess mom saw that
10:46because one night she walked into my room
10:48and asked me what happened
10:50and I ended up spilling everything.
10:52I loved your father
10:53and I know you did too.
10:54We suffered some hard knocks
10:56and didn't deal well with it
10:57and it hurt us,
10:58but that doesn't mean everyone else will be the same.
11:01Well, Rod turned out to be crazy
11:03and what if Xander is dishonest again?
11:05Look, he shouldn't have stolen from Rod's dad,
11:07but he did it for his family,
11:08not out of some greed
11:10and that says something about him.
11:12Go talk to him, Meredith.
11:13I hugged mom and rushed to the cafe Xander worked at,
11:16but he wasn't around.
11:17Luckily, the manager recognized me from before
11:19and handed me Xander's address.
11:21I went to his place and knocked
11:22and seconds later,
11:24a cute little girl answered the door.
11:26Hey, is Xander around?
11:27Nope, but you can wait.
11:28You're Meredith, right?
11:30How did you know?
11:31Xander told me you were the prettiest girl he'd ever seen
11:33and you are pretty.
11:35I didn't say that.
11:36I said she's pretty,
11:37but she's the smartest girl I know.
11:38I turned around and saw Xander behind me.
11:41He signaled his sister to leave
11:42and then it was just him and I.
11:44So what brings you here?
11:46I thought you didn't want to see me.
11:47Xander, all my life,
11:48I've hated my dad for breaking my trust.
11:51It's really difficult for me to open up to people
11:53and dating someone like Rod
11:55who turned out to be a complete psycho
11:57messed up my mind
11:58and I just needed some time to figure out my feelings.
12:01And have you figured them out?
12:02Kind of,
12:03but I need you to promise
12:04that you won't lie about anything to me.
12:06I promise.
12:07Now, can I ask you out on a date?
12:09Depends on how well you kiss.
12:11Let's find out.