It is currently 4:30, Sunday afternoon. I've been at Rachel's house since about 9:45, Friday night. Factoring in the hour and half it took me to go to my house, grab some clean clothes and shower, I have been with Rachel, alone, for approximately 41 hours and 15 minutes. We've been in our own little world. The more time I spend with Rachel, the more I like her. I know this has to be true because after I left, I came back for more.

I have some more math for you. Rachel and I haven't had sex since Thursday. Yup, we have been in her house, alone, for 41 hours and 15 minutes and have not done anything beyond making out. Even that was brief. Here's that math I promised: Rachel left my house Thursday at about 6:30PM. I'm going to say that our conversation about going on a date and having feelings for each other plus our little make-out session against my dresser, lasted about a half an hour. We also fell asleep for an hour, so I'm going to place our last sexual encounter somewhere between 4:45 and 5:00 Thursday evening. This means that Rachel and I have not had sex in almost three days. To the minute.

I'm making a big deal out of this because sex is how all of this started. We also did it three days in a row. I must like Rachel if I've been able to hold out for this long. I mean, of course it's crossed my mind, but I've been perfectly content with a weekend of cuddling, talking, movies, take-out and Rachel. Although, I do really hope that sexytimes recommence in the near future. Sex with Rachel is just too good to give up.

Oh, yeah, one more thing: By the time I leave her house tonight, Rachel will be my girlfriend. Well, that is if she says yes.

Right now we're watching Rent and waiting for our Chinese food to show up.

"You know, for a musical, this movie isn't half bad."

"I knew you'd like this one. It's 'edgy.'"

"Did you just put air quotes around edgy?"

"Maybe..."

I send a little laugh through my nose and then ask, "When are your dads supposed to be home?"

"They weren't sure. They just said they'd call when they were leaving the hotel."

"Oh, okay."

Simultaneously, the door bell and the phone ring as if I'd just willed them to with my previous question. Rachel picks her head up from my lap and says, "I'll get the phone, you get the food?"

I answer the door and trade Rachel's dads' money for the fried, phony Chinese cuisine that the delivery guy has brought. When I get back into the living room Rachel is just ending the phone call, "...okay Daddy!... I love you, too... See you soon."

"So, how much longer until vacation is over?"

"Somewhere between an hour and half to two hours. You don't have to leave when they get here, you know."

"Thanks, but I guess I do have to go home some time. I mean, tomorrow is Monday."

"Yeah, and my dads aren't too keen on school-night sleepovers. They weren't home Tuesday night, remember?"

"Right. Come on, your totally animal-less General Tso's Chicken is getting cold."

We continue watching the movie while we eat our food. Suddenly, it actually hits me that this "vacation" is coming to an end. Rachel got off the phone with her dad an hour ago, that means that there's only a half an hour to an hour left of this. And a half an hour to an hour to ask her to be with me.

Shit! This is horrifying! Where are those cojones that I had when I asked her out Thursday night? Clearly, I've forgotten to put in the request for them to make an appearance. Instead, all I have now are sweaty palms and a knot in my stomach.

Even better, now the movie's over and I only have 15 to 45 minutes left.

Seriously, Lopez? Just grow a pair!

"Rachel," I manage to choke out.

"Yeah, San?"

"Ummm... I was wondering... ummmm... I, uh, wanted to know..."

"Yeah?"

Come on! "I-I want to be with you."

"You're with me right now, San."

Imaginary palm to forehead motion, "I mean be with you."

"Okay...?"

How is she not getting this? I finally blurt out, "Iwanttobeyourgirlfriend!"

Shit! She isn't saying anything! Soy una idiota! I sounded like such an ass!

I'm so busy internally screaming at myself that I don't notice Rachel has moved over on the couch. Actually, it isn't even until she touches my thigh that I snap out of it. I turn to her and she kisses me. When she pulls away she says, "I thought you were never going to ask."

I throw my arms around her so quickly, it takes her a moment to react. As we pull apart I plant a kiss on her forehead. After a few seconds though, Rachel takes a deep breath and says, "Ummm... don't take this the wrong way..."

You should never start a sentence with that.

"...but my yes is kind of a yes, but...?"

"But, what?"

"A condition."

A condition? What is this a contract negotiation? I want to be her girlfriend not her manager. "Okay...?"

I can sense Rachel getting nervous. When Rachel gets nervous, she talks. A lot.

"Well, I've been thinking..."

Thinking is never good.

"...this weekend has been unbelievable. It's been better than anything I could have imagined..."

It has, what on earth is this stipulation that she's coming up with?

"...but..."

There's that word again.

"...I keep thinking about how all of this started. I know I haven't been sexually active for very long, but I'm pretty sure that it isn't a very good idea to base a relationship off of sex. No matter how mind-blowing it is. And I really think we could have something great, especially if we just..." she trails off.

Oh no! She's going to suggest that we don't have sex for an excruciating amount of time! Didn't I just get through saying it was too good to give up?! "If we just...?"

"What if we went a month without it? Of course, you know, pending upon our relationship reaching that point..."

You know, I was really hoping I was wrong. I don't know what to do. I really like Rachel, but I also really like sex. And having sex with Rachel. If I say yes to this, it means that I'll be with Rachel but I'll be subjecting myself to a self-inflicted-month-long-dry-spell. If I say no though, I could possibly lose her completely, but I'd be free to have sex whenever I wanted it.

It just wouldn't be with the person I wanted to it to be with.

"San, are you okay? You look a lot like you did when Mr. Schuester said we were going to be duet partners."

"I'm fine. I'm just... thinking." Maybe I could con Brittany into thinking that sex with girls isn't cheating if you're with a guy. No! She isn't stupid and she actually likes Wheels McGee. Or maybe I could try my luck with Quinn again? I mean, we came really close the summer before our sophomore year, but then she went all "holier-than-thou" on me and said she couldn't lose it to a girl. Then she went and got knocked up by Puck! Never mind, Q's too freakin' straight. Besides, neither one of them are Rachel.

Ugh! Neither one of us has said anything for a while and I can tell that Rachel is getting anxious. I need to answer her! What would Britt tell me to do? She wouldn't tell me what to do, she'd tell me to do what I think is right because she's all wise and mighty and whatnot.

Okay Lopez, get your shit together! Take your wise best friend's imaginary advice and do what you think is right...

"Okay," I finally breathe out, "No sex for a month."

Rachel hugs me and says, "You were making me nervous! I promise this is going to be good for us."

I nod and smile at her.

A month. I can do this. How hard could it be?