But the truth is, I met someone. I went with Sarah to the mall. It was one of those days that you just wanted to get out away from the small town and into the city, right? In the mall there's a small Christian gift shop called The Love Shoppe, so I was wandering in there and this guy comes up and introduces himself. "I'm Paul. And I've seen you somewhere before... Do you come here often?" Of all the pick-up lines!

"Uh... No, actually. I live an hour away from here, and I have only been here a handful of times."

"Really? I don't live here either. I just go to college here. The local college. Surely you've heard of AJC?" I smiled. Who hasn't heard of the small junior college?

"Yeah, I have heard of it." I didn't mention that my sister goes there or that her fiancee is currently getting his basics out of the way there. I moved to the music, pretending to be in search of a specific CD, when I had all I really wanted at that moment.

"So if you don't live here, where do you live?" I gave him the name of the town, and his face lit up. "I live there too, or my parents do. I moved out last summer, after graduating early, so I'm going on my second year of college." He's Mike's age!! I saw a CD that I knew my parents would love and picked it up to go purchase it. The cashier says to me "I need your name, address and phone number so we can keep you filled in on sales."

"Uh, Kenni, that's K-E-N-N-I, Williams. My number is 123-555-6546. Box 254, E-Town, 09867" *Please note, that is not my real number, last name, or address*

"I'll be seeing you around, Kenni, and I may be calling you too." I gave Paul a smile, but I'm not interested in dating him, not after that whole Mike thing. I found Sarah in Baby Gap, obviously looking for clothes to give to Kat. We found some overalls and a cute pink shirt that we'll be sending to Kat's parents house later. Have I ever mentioned how cute Kat is? She's got her mother's eyes, and her daddy's nose. But back to the mall. After that we decided it was time to go, so we left and went to eat at Johnny Carino's *Yum, good food!* And came home last night around 7:00 but we rented movies and stayed up till midnight watching The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Version) and Tarzan.

And this morning? Paul called. We talked about random stuff, like our junior years, and teachers, and then, I shared my past with him, or my past shared with Mike, and I told him that I wasn't looking for another boyfriend relationship, but just for friends, and Paul seemed ok with that, but I think that's because he doesn't know me well. He told me that his freshman year, Mike and he hung out a bit, but Mike started daydreaming about Kate, a girl in his biology class, and Paul told Mike the daydreams wouldn't come true. Later that year, Mike came to school with illegal magazines and started pouring over them, and Paul told him it was wrong. Paul said through that year he and Mike drifted apart and then Mike came back their sophomore year and acted all perfect. "I probably am remembering it wrong, but don't take it out on me, ok? Don't tell him about it either, but I think that you saw the aftermath of our freshman year. He never went out with Kate, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does go out with someone just to go to bed with her. I think something in Europe reminded him of that." I sat on my end of the phone in silence, then I told him I had to go. "My parents are having a party on Friday. Will you go with me? No drinking, I swear, and it's not a date." I told him I'd think about it.

Maybe, well, maybe I'll be able to fall in love again, without kissing or super long hugs... maybe Paul will help me with that???

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