Harlan says, his face filled with hurt as well. ''If you think I'm 'too much of a blessing' for you, then why did you even ask me out in the first place? It would've been better if you'd just left me alone,'' you say and start to close the door, but he puts his hand out and stops it. ''Please,'' he says, ''Don't be angry at me like this. I....I'll explain everything. I really, truly lo--...like you, and I don't want to break up, but you don't realize...you think I'm the greatest nicest guy in the world and you don't see that your boyfriend's a criminal.'' Confused but taking his word that he'll tell you his story, you let him inside. He pauses, looks at you nervously, then says, ''It's...it's just so hard to...I wish I didn't have to tell you this.'' ''Well, you're telling me because I'm tired of guys not telling me anything before they leave me,'' you say, then decide to be less harsh with him because he really seems to be struggling and you say, ''I mean...you know you can tell me anything. I'll listen, I won't tell anyone else. Just get it off your chest. I haven't done anything to make you not trust me.'' ''I know, I trust you,'' Harlan says, ''It's me I don't trust. It's...it happened the beginning of this school year, at my old school. I've always been a good kid, you know. I have a good relationship with my parents, I get good grades, I don't go out partying or drinking or anything. Never tried any of that stuff. Ever since 7th grade everyone, even my friends kept making fun of me because I wouldn't 'lighten up' and 'have fun.' I always shrugged it off. A relationship with my parents and making a future for myself was more important than getting drunk or high. But finally...for the first time, I decided I wasn't going to be the prude in school anymore, so I went to a party and...well, I didn't even really like the beer, but hey, I finally got accepted. I downed a couple pretty fast and felt a little buzzed, and I decided to leave early. My parents thought I was just at a friends house hanging out, so if I hung around and drunk even more, it'd be really noticeable. So I just decided to go. I was driving down an old country road, feeling funny but still okay, I guess...or, well...I wasn't so okay. I thought I saw something drop on the floor over by the passenger side. Normally if I were thinking straight, I'd never just reach down and pick it up, I'd pull over, but I just reached down this time. I didn't see it at first so I kept searching. Then I heard the sound of brakes being slammed on and I looked up just in time to see me approaching another car head-on.'' Harlan pauses, tears welling up in his eyes. He looks at the ground and swallows, then in a choked voice continues, ''To make a long story short, I hit the car. I got banged up a little. Broke my arm, got some nasty cuts on my forehead and neck, which is kinda the reason I grew my hair long. But the woman in the other car...she was a young woman, 26 years old. Had a husband and 3 young kids. Made a living as a nurse. I killed her.'' Harlan looks into your eyes, the tears spilling down his cheeks. ''She died on impact,'' he whispers, ''All because of one time when I decided to do something I knew wasn't that smart. My BAC wasn't even all that high, it was only .10, but it was enough to knock my common sense down a few notches. I was taken to court, and....well, the woman's husband, apparently he was really devoted to God or something. He was actually really nice to me. Told me it was an accident. I'd made a mistake, but I could see how wrong I was and how bad I felt about it. And I felt horrible, as horrible as you can feel. I felt like a murderer. I would do anything just to take back that night...'' Harlan pauses again, then finishes his story by saying, ''So the man asked the judge and jury to give me a light sentence. The judge revoked my license and gave me 100 hours of community service, plus I had to pay a hefty fine. So...I just worked all the community service off right before I moved here. I had to move. Everyone called me a murderer at my old school. I had a girlfriend back then...she slapped me in the face, told me she was ashamed she ever fell for a murderer, and then never even looked at me again. So now I'm here...'' He looks into your face with uncertainty. Your face is written with shock as you're trying to process what he told you. Your too-good-to-be-true boyfriend has actually killed someone before. You know in your heart, though, that Harlan deserves this other chance. He'd made a mistake that had an enormously tragic consequence, but you know he'd never do it again. You know he's tried to make amends for what he did. You know he is still a good boyfriend and a smart kid. ''You hate me, don't you,'' Harlan sighs, turning away. ''I knew this would happen, that's why I thought it would be best if it just ended before--'' You interrupt him by grabbing his shoulders, jerking him back to face you, and kissing him gently. Your heart warms as you *finally* get to feel his perfect lips against yours. ''Yes, I hate you that much,'' you say as you pull apart. Harlan looks like a fish out of water for a few seconds, then says, ''What do you do when you like someone?'' ''You may want to back against the wall, then, that kind of kiss is pretty extreme,'' you say with a smirk. To your delight, Harlan backs against a wall, smiles, and says, ''I'm ready.'' You entwine your fingers in his hair and press your lips deeply into his. He wraps his arms around your waist and kisses you back, opening his mouth slightly. You kiss passionately for 2 minutes (which actually feels more like 2 wonderful hours to you) before you finally pull apart. ''I still think you're much more than I deserve,'' Harlan says, looking into your eyes. ''And I still think you deserve this second chance to create a new beginning for yourself,'' you say, ''And hey, if me being your girlfriend is involved in this second chance, count me in.'' Harlan laughs and blurts out, ''I love you.'' Both of you freeze. Harlan looks as if he can't believe he just said it out loud. ''I love you too,'' you say back finally. You both pause again, then Harlan says, ''You hate me, so you kiss me gently. Then you like me, so you kiss me passionately. What happens when you love me?'' This time both of you somehow wind up on the floor and the kissing goes on for quite a while longer than just 2 minutes. 

IN THE FUTURE: 

Harlan is just as smart and responsible as he was before the accident. At times you get frustrated with his occasional bouts of low self-worth, but after you're done talking (and usually a little more than talking) with him, he feels better and he has strength to face the world. You both get married after you both graduate college and you have 4 boys.