A/N: Hey guys there's been a small change of plans for the story. Not in general but just a few small things changed since my previews 'cause I gotthis idea while I was in Boston.

Paolo sat on the couch in the family room of his apartments and started blankly into the fireplace. In his hand was a cup of coffee that his friend Allie made him. Not as good as bear or as worm as Champaign but good enough. Besides Allie wouldn't let him drink around her. She said he did enough of that on his own.

Allie was passing around the room with an exasperated look on her face. "Look at you Paolo" she said turning sharply to face him "Just look at yourself."

"What are you talking about Als?" Paolo asked absently.

"If you continue like this" Allie went on "in two years you are going to be so wasted!"

"Whatever" Paolo muttered not shifting his gaze from the fire.

"Paolo snap out of it!"

"Look why do you even care?" Paolo asked his voice rising as his eyes snapped to her.

"I'm your friend…I'm worried about you that's all there is to it" Allie said her voice now claiming a soft soothing texture.

Paolo new she was right in a way. Ever since his break up with Isabella he had been a mess. It was clubbing, drinking, and a new girl every two weeks or so.

"Tell me what it is your thinking about…is it Lorena?"

"It's Elena now…" Paolo drew out.

'Oh sorry I just can't keep track…you change your girls two much."

Paolo gave her a sharp look but didn't say anything. Then he looked her and said "do you promise to not hate me no matter what happiness?"

"Why would I hate you Paolo what did you do?"

"This one girl…Miranda…she the one I've been thinking of…and Lizzie…but nothing really happened between me and Lizzie but…"

"Bur what?"

"Allie I had a one night stand…with Miranda."

"You what? Paolo! Did she…or you…?"

"Me Als that's the thing about it. I could swear that after that night all she needed was a little encouragement but I didn't…I mean she hot and it was…oh don't blush Allie you're a big girl! But Als I could…I was just…"

"Paolo how could you? It's bad enough that you are having a different girl every two weeks or so but a one night stand? That's kind of low…" Allie started at Paolo" Why are you like this? You have a commitment problem thing huh?"

"Allie! My god don't you get it! If I don't commit I can't fall in love. If I don't fall in love I don't get hurt. If I don't get hurt I don't have that to deal with on top of everything else!"

"Ok so this Miranda girl? Did it feel to right with her? So you got scared and ran huh?"

"I'm not a cowered ok!" Paolo cried standing up. Allie rose with him" You have no idea what it feels like!"

"Oh yea?" Allie said choking on the words" I guess you forgot how much of a wreck I was after Zachary walked out the door."

Paolo started at her. "Paolo I get it. Ok?"

No answer then Paolo grabbed his jacket and said looking her in the eyes "No it's not ok."

"Paolo wait please!" Allie ran into the hallway and caught him by the arm as he was opening the door.

"Allie…just leave me alone ok? You…you don't get it…I just need to think" then he walked through the door and into the street illuminated with evening lights.

Allie stood in the door way and wiped away tears that had built up in her eyes. "Damn" she whispered looking after Paolo.