"Hey," I say to the boy in front of me.

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"Hey," I hear someone say behind me. Shrieking, I turn around and spray the person in the face with my pepper spray. I might've overreacted. I'm sorry! I was just paranoid.

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This boy screams and turns around. Suddenly, a burning sensation fills my eyes. I can't help but cover my face. I cry out. "That hurts!"

"I'm sorry!" I hear the boy yell. "I panicked!" I rub my eyes again and look up. I didn't have time to see what he looked like before because I was a little too busy getting blinded by...pepper spray...I think. Now, I see the most beautiful boy I've ever seen, and it's almost enough to make me forget about the pain.

"Uh, I--I'm fine..." I suddenly remember why I was talking to him in the first place. "I was just going to ask if you needed help; you look lost."

He, still looking apologetic, says, "Oh, no. I'm not lost; I'm just waiting for someone."

"Oh." Even though I wasn't going to, now I sit on the bench, waiting for him to sit down again. I don't want to leave this boy just yet.

As he sits down a little hesitantly, I ask him, "What's your name?"

"Kurt," he tells me.

"I'm Blaine," I tell him.

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"I'm Blaine."

That's an interesting name. I think I remember meeting a girl with that name, actually. I subtly scoot a little further away from him. He's kind of staring at me...

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It's been 10 minutes, and so far nothing's happened. "Kurt," I say, "You're not really waiting for someone, are you?"

"Uhh..." Kurt hesitates, then answers, "no. Not really."

I smirk playfully and say, "You just were too proud to admit you were lost, then?"

"What? No. I'm not lost, but I'm not waiting for anyone either. I just like to be out here."

I nod. He adds, "Alone." I nod again, pretending not to get the hint. "By myself." I wait. "Without company. And that includes anyone named Blaine."

"Oh. You don't want me to sit here?"

"No. Actually, on second thought, I'm going home now."

Kurt gets up from the bench, making his way down the sidewalk. I notice he's carrying a book with him. He probably reads when he's on this bench "without company of anyone named 'Blaine'."

"I'll walk you home," I offer desperately.

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"I'll walk you home."

I turn around sharply. "Don't make me get out the pepper spray again." It sounds partially like a joke, but, honestly, Blaine's starting to creep me out.

He seems unfazed, laughing as he joins me. We walk on the sidewalk, and my heart starts to race. "No, really," I say. I don't want him to know where my house is... "I'm fine walking by myself."

Blaine doesn't say anything. I stop. "Blaine. Go away," I say sternly.

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My heart sinks just a little. Kurt really wants me to leave. I'll admit I'm probably coming on too strong... "Kurt, please? It's getting dark out."

Reluctantly, he looks at the sky (it really is getting dark) and says, "Okay...fine." I swear I hear him mumble, "I'm not a girl..."

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I can take care of myself. "I'm letting you walk with me," I say slowly, "But if you dare to walk any closer than you should, I will pepper-spray you."

Blaine nods. "Okay."

As we're walking, Blaine starts asking me questions. I guess they're the kinds of things you'd ask a new friend, but we're not friends. When I tell him this, he laughs. Suddenly serious, he asks, "Will you be my friend?"

"If I say 'yes' will you leave me alone?" I'll probably never see him again, so what's the harm in saying "yes"? I haven't heard someone outright ask to be friends with someone since elementary school.

"Yes."

"Then sure." I offer him a small smile, and I can almost see him cheering mentally.

I realize we're right by my house. I turn to the walkway, telling him, "Thanks", but he grabs my arm and turns me around. We're incredibly close. My heart-rate speeds up and I'm not sure if it's the fear or the thought that someone might kiss me...because that's sure what it looks like...

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I find myself grabbing Kurt's arm. He can't just walk out of my life so soon...I'd prefer never...I've probably freaked him out, though. I lean in a little closer. What am I doing? I'm about to kiss a complete stranger. I let go of his arm and back away awkwardly. "Um, uh...Goodnight..."

"Goodnight," Kurt answers sharply, running into his house.

I'm such an idiot.

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