Are you OK? No, I mean I know you say you are, but, really, are you OK? Really? Yeah. No. Yeah. I understand why you aren't sad, why you can't really show your emotions. I mean those kinds of things just play out, and that's what you guys did. There's nothing to be sad about. Take it slowly, don't ignite your fears. I mean maybe you're not feeling upset because your body is in a kind of indecision about how to handle the grief. I'm sure you've heard of Disorder. "D." There are totally mild forms of it in lots of people. Anyway, there are lots of options now for treatment of " D . " Zoloft, Prozac, Askalar—just to help you through the bad patches of life.

I don't mean that you look like you need it. I just don't think it's a bad idea. And it's so hard to get over college hang-ups. I remember you telling me how you and Carl were like the nerdy kids in your dorms and that's why you got along. Which sounds like a really sweet story. And also sort of wrenching once things change. I guess nerds grow up and change, and some become not-so-nerdy and don't need the same nerdy things.

Isn't he like in London or something? Studying furniture design? Greta told me.

No, no, I guess they sort of keep in touch still, even though you guys don't. Nothing dramatic. You know, remember, they were really close all through freshman year before you grabbed him I mean pinned him down I mean started dating him.

No, whatever! Don't kill the messenger! I'm just telling you they are in touch, I'm not like, a part of the whole thing, you know? It may be hard for you to believe right now—with everything being so raw for you. And you probably can't see other sides because you are still feeling the rawness of the breakup. But people of the opposite sex can just be friends.

Hm, I guess I would be a little freaked out too if I heard that my newly-ex-boyfriend was in touch with my still beautiful ex-friend from college. Or maybe I would if I had your "headfirst" kind of personality, reacting before you've thought things through, with your poetry and openness for that kind of florid emotional world. It would make me tired and exhausted, but it's great that it's your way. It's adventurous. I mean, even way back then you were, like, feeling you couldn't survive without a boyfriend. I was just making a wide network of friends, getting the most out of my studies. It's sort of why I stayed a free spirit in college so I could really find out what and whom I wanted. I just didn't really want a relationship until recently. Now I finally feel ready to give myself to someone. In a mature way.