Boy Out Falling by E. C. Johnson Page A

and saw a text from another friend saying to go onto the famous tabloid's website. I didn't have a smart phone, but Meridith did and she went on.
    The headline was Steven Patrick goes to the beach and asked a girl for her number. There were about ten photos of me and him with the phone. Then about five of me lying out in the sun.
    “I want to change my number now.” I said as I buckled my seat belt. I didn't feel like helping him.
    “Jen you are over reacting.”
    I sat there.
    The next few days when I checked online everyone was talking about me in the tabloid even people at work. The tabloid hadn't put anything else up since that Saturday. I didn't like to go online since I didn't like what people were saying to me that I knew. My phone started to vibrate. I knew it wasn't Meridith she was still at work. I looked down it was a number I didn't recognized.
    I answered the phone.
    “Hello?”
    “Is this Jen Erikson?”
    “You figured out the last number.”
    “This is your number. Now that I have it can I ask you out on a date?”
    “Mr. Patrick I have to say that you are not the first guy that has had those dreams about me. All I am is a step before you meet the right girl.”
    “You don't have to call me Mr. Patrick, just call me Steven. Please go out on a date with me.”
    “Does it have to be a date? I'm just not sure if I want to be out and have all those paparazzi be around. Everyone I know is going crazy about the beach meeting.”
    “I understand. I do want to get to know you better.”
    I started to laugh.
    “What is funny about that?”
    “The other nine guys said that the dreams tell you everything about me.”
    “Nine other guys?” He sounded shocked.
    “You make it sound like I've slept with all of them.”
    “You didn't?”
    “No, I'm not easy.”
    “I'm not saying you are. Now what are you doing in an hour?”
    “Nothing it's Friday night.”
    “You are now.”
    “But-.”
    “Don't say anything. I won't take you out. We can stay at your place. One of the things I don't know about you is where you live.”
    I gave him my address. Then he hung up. I text Meridith 911 and she text me back right away. She was on break. I told her to call me.
                  “I don't know how I got myself into this.” When I answered the phone.
                  “Calm down and keep the blinds closed.”
                  “Meridith!”
                  “I'm not saying to get into his pants. By the way he stared at you I don't think he would mind. You should know I mean so the pops don't look inside.”
                  “I wouldn't be surprised if he's used to girls trying to get into his pants.” Meridith and I laughed.
                  “My break is over. Now don't stress out over this.”
                  That's all she left me with. How could I not stress out? I tried to stay calm until the doorbell rang.
                  I hesitated when I opened the door. I was relieved when Steven was the only one at the door with no paparazzi.
                  “Good evening.” He said. I moved aside to let him in.
                  “Good evening.” I closed the door. “Let’s get this started.” He turned around and looked at me. “If you are going that way then you can leave. I'm saying for getting to know you.”
                  “You could have done that online.”
                  “No, there are things that aren't true. I would rather you talk about yourself.”
                  “I feel like I'm being interviewed.”
                  “It kind of is.”
                  “You're joking.” His face looked shocked.
                  “No, I'm not.”
                  “Can we do this over a few days’, months even? Maybe throw a few years in there.”
                  “A few months are okay