I don't think I've ever been able to talk to anyone the way I talked to helen that first time. 3 hours. A marathon. But it was one of the best conversations I've ever had. Maybe it's the glow of memory that's gilding it. But it was good. Even more surprising was when she called back the next day and we picked up right where we left off. And the thing was, I liked her but I didn't stalk her or anything weird. She wanted to talk to me as much I wanted to talk to her. She called if I didn't. She called to wish me sweet dreams. She called so much that my sister made fun of me.

The funny thing was that I'd just met Calista at a movie and I chased her. And I got her. And helen was chasing this guy, Jason, who she went to Europe with (big school group thing) Then helen came back and I left for Europe. I came back and Calista dumped me. And that's when things shifted. The problem was that on the surface, things never changed because I always had a flirting thing going.

It's just now I was flirting and trying to get somewhere. I'll cut this short (I don't really have to, but I should sleep.) We kept talking, when school started. She had a fling with a guy. I stayed "the friend." The "best friend" even. And at this time, I'd kinda lost touch with Katie and Jason was going through this strange time. So she was my best friend too. And I was in love with her. We both made fun of love and the high school paper maché version of love. It was a big topic with us. But we had this platonic love thing going on. She told me I meant the world to her and I told her that she was the best part of my day. And it was true.

It's funny, reading all the little details of our email relations. I should write a book with it. I'd have to put her as co author since half of the good stuff is from her. But she kept telling me things about guys and always with a "why can't guys be like you, Kip." I just kept thinking, "When's it my turn?"

Kip's Turn