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“What’s wrong?” Lana asked over the phone a few days later.
“Nothing.” I reply looking idly away.
“You can’t hide anything from me. Something is up!” Lana exclaimed un-fooled.
“AJ.” I said trying to figure out how to say it.
“What has he done?” She demanded.
“Nothing! He hasn’t done anything. He just – changed.”
“Is he cheating on you?”
“No! Well, at least I don’t guess so. He’s just more – up tight. He’s not as fun and loving as he used to be.”
“Does he not like you anymore?’
“No-no! He does like me, but he’s just not the same as he used to be. He swears that I’ve changed, but I don’t think I have.” I stop puzzled. “Have I Lana?”
“You’re not quite as nice, but other than that you haven’t.”
“I wish he hadn’t changed. I loved him so much.”
“Do you not love him anymore?”
“No, no, I do, but not really the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know!” I exclaim bemused. “Look, Lana, AJ’s about to be here, so I have to go but I’ll e-mail you later and try to explain everything.”
“OK. Do it soon. I want to know what’s going on.”
“All right. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I hung up the phone and go back to my room to finish brushing me hair. I think about that phone conversation. I wish I knew what was going on but I really have no clue what it’s all about.
Ding. Dong.
The doorbell rang and I rushed to answer it. I let AJ into my apartment.
“Hey baby!” He exclaimed as he came in.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Not much. I’ve been some place pretty cool.” He replies.
“Where?” I asked sounding excited, but honestly worried.
“The tattoo parlor.” He replied smiling as he pulled up the sleeve to his shirt to show me a new tattoo.
“Oh, AJ,” I sigh.
“What do you mean? Don’t you like it?”
“It’s just, well, you have so many of them.”
“This is only my fifth.”
“But AJ...”
“What?”
“You’re a role model for a bunch of kids. What kind of example are you setting?”
“Do you think I care?”
“You should!” I pleaded. “You should care if you’re setting a bad example for these girls that look up to you.”
“Why don’t you like it?”
“I never said I didn’t like it Alex, I just wish you wouldn’t go crazy like you do.”
“I don’t want to be with somebody who doesn’t appreciate what I do.” He said mad. “I’ll go talk to people who do appreciate me.” He said as he opened the door back, and leaves slamming it behind him.