I answered calls and ran errands, thankful that my role didn't involve any actual thinking. I felt Lisa's cold stare, and in response to her questions I mumbled that my cold was much better, thank you. During the lunch break I went downstairs and ate my sandwich, sitting on a cold bench. I could see my life stretch out ahead of me, bleak and uninteresting. I wasn't going to be able to afford college in this economy, and I'd just hop from one boring job to another. Maybe I'd meet someone, maybe not. I certainly wouldn't meet anyone like Brad again. My stomach flipped as I remembered our time in Paris, walking along the Seine, and the moments we'd spent together in the hotel room. Forget it, I told myself sternly. Brad obviously doesn't feel the same way about you. But so what, I thought? It was time to get practical and face the real world. I'd been running from my fears for long enough. This was my one chance, something like this might not come along ever again.
