I offered my girlfriend’s sister a ride home, then her dad showed up with police.

I offered my girlfriend's younger sister

a ride home from school and her dad

showed up at my dorm with the police. I

was walking back to my dorm after

grabbing dinner when I saw them. My

girlfriend's dad with two police

officers standing outside my door like

they were waiting for me. "Oh man, what

now?" "There he is," the dad said,

pointing at me. His voice was cold and

angry. One of the officers stepped

forward. "Are you Paulo?" "Yeah, what's

going on? We need to talk to you about

some serious allegations," the officer

said regarding inappropriate contact

with a minor. My heart started pounding.

"What? What are you talking about?" The

dad's face [music] scowled and went

fully red. "You know exactly what this

is about. My daughter, you picked her up

from school today without my permission.

I was just giving her a ride home. My

girlfriend asked me to. Let's take this

inside. The second officer said,

gesturing to my door. My hands shook as

I unlocked it. This couldn't be

happening. Inside, the lead officer

pulled out a notepad. We have a

statement from the victim claiming

you've been texting her privately.

Inappropriate messages. Victim: No,

that's not. But the dad shoved his phone

in my face. [music] Screenshots.

Messages that looked flirtatious. When

will you be alone? One of them read,

"Can't wait to see you. Those aren't

from me. I don't even have her number."

I fumbled for my phone, trying to call

[music] my girlfriend. She'd explain

everything. The phone rang and rang and

rang. She's always glued to her phone

unless I need her. She's not answering.

the second officer observed, writing

something down. Because she's probably

disgusted, [music] the dad spat. She

probably can't believe her boyfriend is

a predator. I'm not. Please. You have to

believe me. The lead officer cut me off.

We pulled security footage from [music]

the high school. Shows you sitting in

your car outside the building at 3:15

p.m. Waiting. Yes, because my girlfriend

asked me to pick her [music] up. Son, if

that were true, why wouldn't you call

the parents first? The officer's tone

was skeptical, professional, like he'd

heard every excuse before. The dad's

voice cracked. My daughter has been

acting strange for weeks, [music]

secretive, staying out late. Now I know

why. His hands balled into fists. You've

been grooming her. No, I swear I was

just But right then, my roommate's door

opened. He stepped [music] out, confused

by the commotion. Do you know about

this? The lead officer asked him, "Did

your roommate mention picking up a high

school student today?" My roommate's

eyes went wide. "Uh, no. I didn't know

anything about that, I think." Perfect.

That stoner was making me look even more

guilty now. The officers exchanged

glances. [music] The lead one made

another note. "Your story isn't adding

up. No witnesses, no proof. Your

girlfriend won't answer." The dad

stepped closer. His face was inches from

mine. "Where did you take her? What did

you do to my little girl?" "Nothing. I

dropped her off at your house." "That's

it. You're lying." He screamed. Every

word I said made it [music] worse. Every

explanation sounded like an excuse. I

could see it in their faces. They didn't

believe me. Nobody believed me. Then the

door burst open and my girlfriend

stormed [music] in, dragging her younger

sister by the arm. The sister's face was

red and puffy from crying. My

girlfriend's expression was furious.

Tell them, my girlfriend demanded,

squeezing her sister's arm. Tell them

what you told me. The sister was

shaking, [music] sobbing. I'm sorry. I'm

so sorry. Tell them, you little turd. I

lied. The sister wailed. He didn't do

anything. I made it up. The room went

silent. I've been sneaking out to see

someone. It's really complicated. You

wouldn't understand. I needed a cover

story, so I She couldn't finish. [music]

Just kept crying. My girlfriend thrust

her phone at her dad. Look, I texted him

this morning asking him to pick her up

because I had a meeting. It's right

here. [music] Timestamps and everything.

The lead officer took the phone,

examined it carefully, scrolled through

the messages. His expression shifted. He

turned to me. You're free to go. The

dad's face drained of color. Rage became

horror became embarrassment. I Oh my

god, I almost His voice was barely a

whisper. [music] I'm so sorry. I could

have ruined your life. But wait, he

continued. What do you mean by it's

complicated exactly? The second [music]

officer suddenly moved toward the door.

I need to leave. Another call came in.

The sister looked up. Her face went

completely white. Henry, wait. She

blurted out and slapped both hands over

her mouth. The lead officer [music]

froze, slowly turned to his partner.