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I waited a minute outside of Zach's door before I knocked. I don't know why I was worried and nervous about this. I had talked to hundreds of people over my time with the school paper, but for some reason this one seemed different. Like there was more at stake in the whole game. I sucked up my breath and knocked on the door.

After a couple of minutes Zach came to the door wearing a huge smile, and a pair of long plaid pants. The kind that most guys I know wore to bed. I did a quick take of the time on my watch and wondered why he wasn't dressed at this hour. It was the middle of the afternoon.

"Hayley, come on in. I've been expecting you."

I didn't know what to say to that, and honestly the way he was dressed I had my doubts about him expecting me. I usually got dressed a little more when I had to meet with someone. It was interesting that Zach wasn't like everyone else. He was just Zach.

Walking into the room I did a double take and noticed he was walking with his cane. Ever since turning on the television the other night and seeing him wrestling with one leg, I had wondered what the deal was and what kind of accident he had, that made him lose his leg. If anything I knew this would be a starting point for the interview.

"Thanks for seeing me. I know you didn't get in until late last night, so this was kind of you."

"Did you meet some of the guys downstairs? They are in town for a signing, and I let them know what you were doing for your school paper and they seemed interested."

"Yes I met one of them."

"Which one?"

"The one with the eyes, the seducing kind. Had kind of an ego trip going too. You know the type I mean, the one who thinks he's Gods gift to all women in the world."

"Aww you met Randy Orton. Well underneath all of that he's a nice guy. So did you have to bring a teacher with you today?"

"Not at all, it's just me."

Zach got a smile on his face and I had to admit I wanted to know why me being here alone was such a smile worthy thing. I guess I should tell him that Ariel is downstairs trying to pick up some of the wrestlers. That way he knows I'm not completely on my own. I didn't know the guy all that well and although he seemed nice, you never could tell.

"Just you?"

"Actually my best friend Ariel is downstairs trying to pick up her very own wrestler, so she won't be a problem if that's what you mean."

"Wasn't worried about that, but while she's down there picking up one of her own, why don't we go get something to eat, and then we can start this interview and get it out of the way?"

"Sounds like a plan."

As Zach made his way to the door, I looked again at his clothes and then glancing up a little bit looked at his cane.

"What's the matter Hayley?"

"Nothing Zach, let's just go."

As I made my way to the door that he had opened, he closed it and turned around and looked me directly in the eyes.

"This wasn't a wrestling injury Hayley, this was cancer. I will explain it all to you later, but I see you looking at me and my legs. Normally I would find that flattering when a girl checks me out, but in this case I think it's just a case of curiosity."

"I'm sorry! God I must seem like a complete idiot now. I didn't mean to stare at your leg or your cane or anything, I was just wondering why you aren't changing that's all."

"So you don't care that I have one leg?"

"It's not even a factor Zach. It's all about the clothes."

"I'm comfortable this way, and I don't really care what people think when they see me. I mean I don't have a leg and the leg that's allowing me to walk right now isn't real. If people don't look at me weird for that, then my clothes don't matter much. Don't you think?"

I couldn't believe how bad this interview was starting already. I had walked in the door and immediately went looking at Zach's leg and how he was using a cane to walk. I shouldn't have done it, but there was no way I could take it back. All I knew now was that Zach thought I was completely superficial. Something I had to make sure didn't last long.

"You could go naked for all I care Zach, I just wasn't sure was all."

Opening the door back up he placed his hand through mine and led me out the door. If he didn't care about how he looked then you know what? Neither did I. I had to remind myself that I was here for a reason, and that was to do something for my school paper. Not to make nice with a wrestler. But would the alternative be all that bad?

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"Hayley!! Is the interview over already?" Ariel asked running over to me with a huge smile on her face. It was obvious she was getting somewhere with the big blonde lug she was talking with.

"No, we are going out to eat and talk someplace more neutral. Do you want to come along?"

"Actually do you mind if Brock and I come along too? It could be a double date!" Ariel exclaimed excitedly.

I pulled Ariel aside and let the two guys talk. I now at least knew the big lug's name, although it didn't make me all that interested.

"It's not a date alright? I'm here to do a job."

"Oh Hayley, live a little. It's so totally obvious you like the kid, so why not throw work to the wind for a few hours and just have a nice time with someone. You haven't done that since you and James broke up, and I think it's for the better good that you do right now. Before you become a nun."

"Oh that's not fair at all Ariel and you know it. I barely know this guy first of all, and second of all, who said I liked him?"

"No one did, but Hayley, when you say his name, you get this gleam. I know I know you don't want to admit it to yourself that you're beginning to feel after what James did to you, but girl, he's a cute guy, and he's only 20. You're 18 and you've got so much of your life ahead of you. Why not take a chance?"

I had to admit, she did have a point, even though she was the one with the big beefy blonde waiting on her. I did need to live a little, and after James I hadn't been, but I barely knew Zach and I didn't want to make him feel weird.

"Okay, come along with us, but when I start to talk to him about this article, can you please not get involved?"

"I won't! I swear to God you're on your own with that. Just keep an open mind."

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"So what do you think Zach? That friend of hers, Ariel is a real spitfire don't you think?"

Zach didn't know what to think. He was enamored with Hayley. His mother had warned him that he was going to fall hard for someone and not even realize it when it happened, because he was just that type of kid, but he didn't think it would be with a girl from Toronto.

"Yeah she seems like a handful, good luck man."

"So what's happening with you and the reporter?"

"She works on her school paper Brock, she's not exactly a reporter, and as far as I can tell she's not into me at all."

"And are you into her?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well since you've been standing here with me, you haven't taken your eyes off her. So I would say it is. I should warn you though; you might want to make a move quick."

"Why would you say that?"

"Randy's on the make my friend, and he's got that girl on his radar now. So like I said, do something quick, even if she turns you down you know you did something."

"I'll keep that in mind Brock thanks. Hey are you up for getting some lunch with us? I'm sure Hayley is going to want to bring Ariel and well I can take one girl, but two?"

Brock laughed and slapped the kid on the shoulders. They weren't that far apart in age themselves, so Brock understood the way Zach's mind worked.

"I'll come with you; it seems you need all the help you can get here."

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