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“Yeah, I know But… you’re a, Kaitlyn You’re, just… beautiful, and se And I knew exactly what you sahen you looked at uy who sleeps around, who caht stand You don’t have to deny it, I could see it in your eyes I figured the only way I could ever convince you I was for real is if I just laid it on the line… just put myself out there and let you seethe truth I figured that was the only shot I had with you And that’s why I told her”

I looked away, overcome

And then I leaned ainst his chest

He stroked ed him back

Weeach other, never saying a word

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But eventually there came a point where we both knew I had to leave

We walked out toeach other There was a horrible, nauseating sadness in my stomach If I could have put off this moment forever, I would have

“I can give you a ride back,” I offered as I opened the driver’s door

He shook his head “I’ll take the bus… or I’ll call Ryan”

“You don’t have a cell phone”

He pointed at a telephone booth next to the Krispy Kreme “They have these awesome new telephones that take quarters and – bam! – you can talk to anybody”

I recognized ave him a look, then smiled as I pulled my phone out of my purse “You want to use mine?”

He grinned, took it and dialed, and asked Ryan to coet him

“…but take your ti up

He handed the phone back to me

“…I guess this is it,” I whispered I could feel

“It doesn’t have to be”

I frowned “What do you mean?”

He took my hands in his

“Stay withdeep into mine

My lips trembled “I… I can’t…”

“Yes you can If you really want to, you can Stay with me You can stay at Ryan’s house for a couple of weeks… I know they’ll let you stay there until I can find a second job, a better job I’ll get a better place, you can live with o to school while Ryan and I do the band…”

I had to look away Tears filled o to Syracuse…”

“You can keep going here You can go to journalism school here”

“I already told the…”

“They’ll let you back in Stay with me”